What is the ACT and why does it matter?
The ACT is a national test that most universities require in order to apply for admission. The test does not affect any grade in high school, but your score will be important for many reasons. A high score can give you a greater chance of acceptance into college, help you earn scholarships/awards, and even allow you to take dual enrollment classes for college credit in high school.
If you are in doubt that your particular higher education path requires the ACT, take some time to browse through your potential school's website to see if it is necessary and if so, what scores are expected.
If you are in doubt that your particular higher education path requires the ACT, take some time to browse through your potential school's website to see if it is necessary and if so, what scores are expected.
When Should I take the ACT?
All Tennessee students take the ACT for free their Junior year in high school during a normal school day in the spring, but it is encouraged that students wishing to go on to higher education take the test at least one other time to ensure they make the best possible score they can. Most students score higher the second time they take it, especially if they pay attention to the questions they missed previously. Each student is allowed to take the test up to 12 times, although they must pay and register for each time other than the free Junior-year test.
Students are usually ready to take the math section after completing classes covering Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry. While a knowledge of trigonometry will help you on the test, it comprises very little of the tested material. Trigonometry questions are also located towards the end of the math section, and most people do not reach them before time runs out.
ACT test locations and future dates can be found online at act.org. Cosby High School usually offers the test, but other nearby locations can easily be found.
Students are usually ready to take the math section after completing classes covering Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry. While a knowledge of trigonometry will help you on the test, it comprises very little of the tested material. Trigonometry questions are also located towards the end of the math section, and most people do not reach them before time runs out.
ACT test locations and future dates can be found online at act.org. Cosby High School usually offers the test, but other nearby locations can easily be found.
What is Required to Take the ACT?
To take the ACT (other than the mandatory Junior-year day), students are required to register, as well as pay around $40 for the basic version of the test (some schools require the ACT ). This can easily be done online with help from a teacher like me or guidance. Make sure to write down your account information for later use, as well as print off your ticket. Keep in mind the due dates for registration, or you'll find yourself having to pick another test date.
The morning of the test, you'll need to bring the ticket you printed, a valid photo-ID, and at least one number two pencil. It is heavily recommended that you bring a legal graphing calculator for the math portion. While the questions are designed to be worked by hand, calculators speed most students up, as well as minimize careless errors. Make sure the calculator you choose is both legal (a list of approved calculators can be found on the ACT website) and in working condition. Some students bring extra batteries with them to the test just in case.
If you come to me the day before the test, and ask to borrow a calculator, odds are I will have nothing to give you. Many students wait until the last minute to prepare, and extra calculators are limited. Think in advance and ask with ample time left until the date.
The morning of the test, you'll need to bring the ticket you printed, a valid photo-ID, and at least one number two pencil. It is heavily recommended that you bring a legal graphing calculator for the math portion. While the questions are designed to be worked by hand, calculators speed most students up, as well as minimize careless errors. Make sure the calculator you choose is both legal (a list of approved calculators can be found on the ACT website) and in working condition. Some students bring extra batteries with them to the test just in case.
If you come to me the day before the test, and ask to borrow a calculator, odds are I will have nothing to give you. Many students wait until the last minute to prepare, and extra calculators are limited. Think in advance and ask with ample time left until the date.
How do I Study for the Math Section?
The math section of the ACT is 60 questions in 60 minutes, so each problem on average should take around a minute to solve. The questions are organized from easiest to hardest; each worth the same amount. Logic follows that the student should start in the beginning with the easier questions, working them quickly to compensate for the longer amount of time the later questions will take. Every question is multiple choice, and there is no penalty for guessing. If you look at a problem and have no idea where to start, skip it, bubble in a plausible answer, and come back to it later. On a similar note, when your test proctor announces you have five minutes left, you should begin bubbling in the remaining problems with the same answer each time. For example, 'C'. While there is no real truth to a certain letter being better than the rest, choosing the same letter increases your chances of more of those problems right than random bubbling.
The math section is comprised of the following:
To begin studying, take a practice test under simulated test-environment conditions. Many practice test questions can be found by googling online. I, as well as guidance, have books that can be borrowed to study from that give detailed explanations for answers. Time yourself, and stay in a quiet room with no distractions. After grading your test, go back and work the problems you missed, making sure to identify your mistakes.
To make the best score you possibly can, give yourself time to learn the material. You can easily spend months going through a practice book. I'm providing you with a list of formulas I think would be beneficial to memorize in the links above. Check with guidance or me to see if any workshops are offered after school. Ask your friends or people you know currently in college how they studied.
Many students find their math scores go up after taking more advanced math like Calculus, Finite...etc. While these skills are not tested, many of these classes' curricula require lots of practice in foundation math like algebra.
The math section is comprised of the following:
- Pre-Algebra (20-25%)
- Elementary Algebra (15-20%)
- Intermediate Algebra (15-20%)
- Coordinate Geometry (15-20%)
- Plane Geometry (20-25%)
- Trigonometry (5-10%)
To begin studying, take a practice test under simulated test-environment conditions. Many practice test questions can be found by googling online. I, as well as guidance, have books that can be borrowed to study from that give detailed explanations for answers. Time yourself, and stay in a quiet room with no distractions. After grading your test, go back and work the problems you missed, making sure to identify your mistakes.
To make the best score you possibly can, give yourself time to learn the material. You can easily spend months going through a practice book. I'm providing you with a list of formulas I think would be beneficial to memorize in the links above. Check with guidance or me to see if any workshops are offered after school. Ask your friends or people you know currently in college how they studied.
Many students find their math scores go up after taking more advanced math like Calculus, Finite...etc. While these skills are not tested, many of these classes' curricula require lots of practice in foundation math like algebra.