This document provides information and tips for preparing for the PSAE exam, which consists of the ACT on day one and WorkKeys on day two. It outlines the test subjects, average scores, registration dates, and importance of the exams for graduation and future plans. Test-taking strategies are shared for pacing yourself, using calculators properly, getting enough rest the night before, and guessing strategically. Subject-specific tips are provided for the English, reading, and writing sections. The importance of practice and meeting the PSAE requirements for exemption from finals is emphasized.

1. Welcome to PSAE Test Prep

2. Today’s Goals Everyone should prepare! Take pressure off of you! Share strategies and tips! Answer your questions!

3. Mrs. McCarthy

4. PSAE 2011 Wednesday, April 27 and Thursday, April 28 Registration will take place in CUP the week of April 18-NO MOVEMENT until after testing (state requirement) Contact? Mrs. Woodbury-Guidance

5. Review Is the PSAE a graduation requirement? Yes, yes, yes, yes… Does my ACT score matter if I’m going to ECC? Yes, yes, yes, yes… What’s ACT online prep? www.actonlineprep.com- Practice tests

6. Lifetime Income based on Level of Education

9. Day One: What is the ACT? 3 1/2 hour exam including writing Test of problem-solving skills Reading test It is NOT an IQ test! Average DCHS score is 19.6 out of 36

10. What a difference a few right answers makes! Scale Score # of Correct Answers on the English Section # of Correct Answers on the Math Section 19 41 26 20 43 29 30 68 50 31 70 52 Total Questions: 75 Total Questions: 60

11. ACT Test Subjects English Math Reading Science Writing

12. Between now and the test: Take command of your test-taking! USE THE ACT ONLINE PREP- remember the February CUP information! www.actonlineprep.com Login:firstnamelastname Pass: School ID#

13. The Night Before the Test: Don’t study! Gather the following items: ID – driver license, etc. Sharpened #2 pencils - not mechanical A watch WITHOUT an alarm Appropriate calculator with fresh batteries Snack for break - granola bar, etc. Relax, get enough sleep - Don’t stress!

14. The Day of the Test: Dress in layers so you can adjust to the room temperature. Eat breakfast - no caffeine if you aren’t used to it - limited bathroom breaks! Read something to warm up your brain like the newspaper. The test starts at 7:40am – arrive early! Come with a positive attitude!

15. General Test-Taking Strategies Pace yourself Pay attention to spoken directions Answer the easy questions first On more difficult questions, narrow answers Answer every question Plan to check your work Mark your answer document carefully Erase unwanted marks completely

16. Should I guess on the ACT? If you have to, Yes! ACT scores are based on the number of correct answers-wrong answers don’t count against your score. Budget your time wisely!

17. Quick Tips…English OMIT-when OMIT appears it’s probably the right answer (use your judgment) Select the shortest answer IGNORE phrases between subjects and verbs Eliminate answers you know are incorrect Don’t mix and match , - ( )

18. Quick Tips…Reading Approach the passages and questions in order of comfort level Don’t spend too much time on any one answer (8 minutes, 45 seconds per passage) Be an active reader-annotate the text Break down words you don’t know (remember your roots) It’s a skill-PRACTICE (ACT online prep)

19. Quick Tips…Writing Take a position-MOST IMPORTANT Use transitions Address the counter argument Pre-write (not too long) Don’t be afraid to have fun with your language (use complex sentences and vary your sentence starts) Illegible responses are ZEROS

20. Day Two: WorkKeys! It matters! Reading, math, science Colleges receive scores Future employers refer to these results PSAE=Day 1 + Day 2 Meet or exceed PSAE=no finals

21. Check for Understanding… Name the 5 parts (subjects tested) of the ACT English, math, reading, science and writing Should you guess (if you have to) on the ACT? YES! What’s one thing you should do the night before the test? ID – driver license, etc. Sharpened #2 pencils - not mechanical A watch WITHOUT an alarm Appropriate calculator with fresh batteries Snack for break - granola bar, etc. Relax, get enough sleep - Don’t stress!

22. Check for Understanding… When the answer _____ appears on the English test, it could be the right answer. OMIT What’s the best way to improve for the reading test? PRACTICE What’s the most important thing to remember about the writing test? Take a position Does Day 2, the Work Keys exam, matter for PSAE? Yes!

23. Questions…