ACT 36 in Just 7 Steps

Four key principles Principle 1 · Learn 36 Strategies Principle 2 · Study 36 Examples Principle 3 · Complete 36 Practice Problem Sets Principle 4 · Concentrate on 36 Review The ACT: the basics What is the ACT? Why does the ACT exist? What are the differences between the ACT and the SAT? What is the format of the ACT? How many questions are there on the ACT? How long does the exam take? How is the exam scored? How often is the ACT administered? How much does it cost? How do I register? How important is the ACT? How many times should I take the ACT? How is the ACT reported? What is the TIR? Should I take the ACT Writing test? What is the PLAN? What about special circumstances? The truth about the ACT Essential materials General ACT preparation Take a diagnostic exam Work together: 36 Practice and 36 Review Step 1 · Learn 36 Strategies Step 2 · Complete an ACT practice section Step 3 · Score your ACT practice section Step 4 · Check questions you answered correctly Step 5 · Check questions you answered incorrectly Step 6 · Complete your 36 Review Step 7 · Repeat steps 1 to 6 When to prepare The 36 six-phase schedule A consistent schedule Where to prepare What to memorize Physical and mental health General 36 Strategies General 36 Strategy 1 · Practice how to take the ACT General 36 Strategy 2 · Write it all down General 36 Strategy 3 · Bubble one page at a time General 36 Strategy 4 · Skip and return General 36 Strategy 5 · Always guess—always Extra tips and tricks 1 Prepare for ACT English Stats Breaking down ACT English English 36 Strategies English 36 Strategy 1 · Say it out loud (well, not really) English 36 Strategy 2 · Eliminate choices you know are wrong English 36 Strategy 3 · Don’t forget about “NO CHANGE” and “DELETE” English 36 Strategy 4 · Shorter is sweeter English 36 Strategy 5 · Read and answer as you go Categories Usage/mechanics (53%) Punctuation Grammar/usage Sentence structure Rhetorical skills (47%) Strategy Organization Style 2 Prepare for ACT Math Stats Breaking down ACT Math Logistics Timing Using a calculator Mathematical concepts Topics covered Scoring Basic math Order of operations Distribution Even and odd numbers Positive and negative numbers Integers Real and rational numbers Pre-algebra Number problems Square roots Exponents Scientific notation Factors and multiples Ratio, proportion, and percentage Linear equations Absolute value and ordering Mean, median, and mode Probability Data representation Elementary algebra Substitution Using variables to express relationships Algebraic operations and inequalities Factoring Intermediate algebra Roots of polynomials The quadratic formula Radicals and radical expressions Absolute values in equations Sequences and patterns Functions Matrices Complex numbers Logarithms Coordinate geometry Points and lines Polynomials Circles Graphing inequalities Slope Parallel and perpendicular lines Distance and midpoints Conics Plane geometry Angles Circles Triangles and the Pythagorean theorem Polygons Transformations Volume and 3-D geometry Trigonometry SOHCAHTOA Values and properties of trigonometric functions Graphing trigonometric functions Trigonometric identities Solving trigonometric equations Math 36 Strategies Math 36 Strategy 1 · Write it down Math 36 Strategy 2 · Draw a picture Math 36 Strategy 3 · Perform a sanity check Math 36 Strategy 4 · Don’t trust your eyes Math 36 Strategy 5 · Target the unknown Math 36 Strategy 6 · Use your calculator—last Math 36 Strategy 7 · Don’t be afraid to take the first step Math 36 Strategy 8 · When in doubt, test it out Equations to memorize Intermediate algebra Coordinate geometry Plane geometry Trigonometry 3 Prepare for ACT Reading Stats Breaking down ACT Reading General strategy Timing The high school difference Literal vs. critical thinking Skills tested Reading 36 Strategies Reading 36 Strategy 1 · Write your own answer down first Reading 36 Strategy 2 · Skim it to win it Reading 36 Strategy 3 · Read actively Reading 36 Strategy 4 · Don’t defend the choices—attack Reading 36 Strategy 5 · Don’t assume Reading 36 Strategy 6 · Avoid extremes Reading 36 Strategy 7 · Choose general over specific Reading 36 Strategy 8 · Mark it up Subject-specific strategies Prose fiction Social sciences Natural sciences Humanities 4 Prepare for ACT Science Stats Breaking down ACT Science Science 36 Strategies Data representation Science 36 Strategy 1 · Go straight to the questions in data representation Science 36 Strategy 2 · Look for trends Science 36 Strategy 3 · Know your graphs Research summaries Science 36 Strategy 4 · Go straight to the questions in research summaries Science 36 Strategy 5 · Look for keywords in research summaries Science 36 Strategy 6 · Focus on similarities and differences in research summaries Conflicting viewpoints Science 36 Strategy 7 · Mark the passage Science 36 Strategy 8 · Look for keywords in conflicting viewpoints Science 36 Strategy 9 · Focus on similarities and differences in conflicting viewpoints Science 36 Strategy 10 · Don’t be intimidated Additional tips Timing ACT 36 General Strategy The “not enough information” choice When to skip a passage 5 Prepare for ACT Writing Stats Breaking down ACT Writing Scoring the ACT essay ACT Writing score sheet The essay topic Writing 36 Strategies Writing 36 Strategy 1 · Master the five-paragraph essay format Template for the five-paragraph essay Writing 36 Strategy 2 · Pace yourself Writing 36 Strategy 3 · Use vocabulary to your advantage Writing 36 Strategy 4 · Fill the space Writing 36 Strategy 5 · Stay active Writing 36 Strategy 6 · Transition smoothly Writing 36 Strategy 7 · Don’t get personal Writing 36 Strategy 8 · Plan, plan, plan 6 Practice a full-length ACT exam Answer sheets Section 1 · English Section 2 · Mathematics Section 3 · Reading Section 4 · Science Section 5 · Writing 7 Review the ACT practice exam Section 1 · English Section 2 · Mathematics Section 3 · Reading Section 4 · Science Section 5 · Writing Guide to scoring the ACT exam Raw scores Scaled scores Composite score Reminders for exam day