The ACT Test - A Gateway to Higher Education

1. The ACT Test
A GATEWAY TO HIGHER
EDUCATION

2. The ACT
 National college admissions exam
 5 Subject Areas
 English ▪ Science
 Mathematics ▪ Writing
 Reading
 215 multiple-choice questions
 Takes approximately 4 hours

3. Graduation
 ACT is now required for graduation for
current 9th – 11th graders
 No benchmark score (so far)
 Test cost is paid by state
 The ACT will be taken in 11th grade on
April 28, 2015

4. Beyond High School
The ACT is accepted by all colleges and
universities:
Admissions
Course Placement
Scholarships

5. ACT Test Readiness
 High academic expectations
 Study habits
 Motivation
 Format knowledge
 Practice to increase:
Confidence
Speed
Accuracy

6. SECTA Support
 Practice in the classrooms on:
 Test taking skills
 Types of test questions
 Types of assignments
 ZAPPS - ACT seminars
http://www.doorwaytocollege.com/act-test-prep

7. Family Support
 Define expectations
 Reinforce why this is the right goal
 Understand how it is measured
 Develop a communication plan

8. ACT
 Achievement test - what have you
learned (SAT = Aptitude)
 Composite score of 1-36
 4 multiple choice portions
 Writing 0-12
 No penalties for incorrect answers

9. Test Format
Test Content
English
75
questions
45
Minutes
Measures standard written English and
rhetorical skills.
Mathematics
60
questions
60
Minutes
Measures mathematical skills students
have typically acquired in courses
taken up to trigonometry.
Reading
40
questions
35
Minutes
Measures reading comprehension
across various subjects.
Science
40
questions
35
Minutes
Measures the interpretation, analysis,
evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving
skills required in the natural
sciences.
Optional
Writing Test
1
prompt
30
Minutes
Measures writing skills emphasized in
high school English classes and in
entry-level college composition
courses.

10. Student Test Prep Resources
Books
 Preparing for the ACT Booklet
 Career Center
www.actstudent.org
 ACT Question of the Day (free)
 ACT Online Test Prep ($24.95 per
year)
iTunes Store
 ACT iPhone App (also works on iPad)

11. The APP

12. Sample Question

13. Rationale

14. UNLV
How does UNLV use ACT information?
 No ACT cut-off score for admissions
 Scores used for English and Math
placement
 Scores used for scholarship
consideration
 If you have a low GPA (below 3.0) you
need a 22 on ACT

15. UNR
How does UNR use ACT information?
 No ACT cut-off score for admissions
 Scores used for English and Math
placement
 Scores used for scholarship
consideration
 Scores used if you have a low GPA

16. UCLA
 Average ACT composite score of
students admitted in 2014 was 28-34
 Scholarship Consideration

17. Ivy League Schools
Average composite ACT scores of
admitted students:
 Harvard 31-35
 Princeton 31-35
 Yale 31-35
 Brown 29-34

18. Fees
Test fee per test option
ACT (No Writing)
$38.00
Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four
college choices
ACT Plus Writing
$54.50
Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four
college choices (if valid codes are provided when you
register).
The $16.50 Writing Test fee is refundable on written
request, if you are absent on test day or switch to the ACT
(No Writing) before testing begins.

19. 2014-2015
Test Date
Registration
Deadline
Late Registration
(Late Fee Required)
September 13, 20
14
August 8, 2014 August 9–22, 2014
October 25, 2014
September 19,
2014
September 20–October 3,
2014
December 13, 20
14
November 7, 2014 November 8–21, 2014
February 7, 2015* January 9, 2015 January 10–16, 2015
April 18, 2015 March 13, 2015 March 14–27, 2015
June 13, 2015 May 8, 2015 May 9–22, 2015
* No test centers are scheduled in New York for the February Date