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ACTs, Still the Most Popular Test Around
The ACT, a college admissions exam is not connected in any way to the SAT exam, or to the College Board. Among the differences: shorterknowledge based as compared to the strategy and logic structure of the SATrequires a thirty-minute essay (25 on the SAT)Consists of four tests, math, English, reading, and Science.
Is there a pre-test similar to the SAT PSAT?
Yes, it is called the PLAN ASSESSMENT and it is administered by the schools, usually to tenth grade students to prepare them for this test in grades 11 or 12.
The PLAN Assessment Test
How Do I get my scores?
The ACT allows you to control which schools see your scores.- If you leave the high school code box blank on the registration form,
and do not fill in the college and scholarship blanks,
when you sign up for the test, ACT will send
the scores ONLY to you. - When you do decide where to have your scores sent,
ACT will send ONLY the scores you specify. - Colleges ONLY see the scores you want them to
see no matter how many times you
take the test. - The exception to this can be if you are
using your ACT scores to establish your
eligibility to play Division I or Division II sports
in college. In that case, you may be asked to send the
scores from any test sittings.
What's on the Test?
The multiple-choice tests cover four skill areas:
English, mathematics, reading, and science,
and an optional essay. Elect to write the essay
you'll be viewed more positively.The English portion of the test is 45 minutes long,
with 75 questions. The test measures written
English and rhetorical skills, as well as grammar
and punctuation.The Mathematics test is 60 minutes long with
60 questions:- Pre-Algebra
- Elementary Algebra
- Intermediate Algebra
- Coordinate Geometry
- Plane Geometry
- Trig
Reading Section - 35 minutes with 40 questions- Humanities
- Nature and Science
- Prose fiction
- Social science
The Science Section: 35 minutes long, 40 questions- Graphs and Charts
- Three experiments and six questions for each
- A passage containing a scientific debate/different
viewpoint between two scientists, with questions< - The Science test is, in the view of many, the hardest part of the test. The other three portions are similar to the SATs, although not exactly the same as the SAT question model.
- As you prepare for the Science portion of the ACT, keep in mind that it is a reading comprehension exam. All the information you need for the sciencetest is in the written material, although it is helpful if you have some science in your back ground to help you deal with the information./UL>
- The Writing Test, which is optional, measures
skill in essay option. - In my opinion, the ACT written testrequirements are easier than those of the SAT essay porion. WHIle this may seem like a good thing, it also reflects the fact that our students are not taught to write on a college level. Difference from SAT Essay requirements: The SAT prompts require a more philosophical, thoughtful essay. The questions are more vague and require reflection.
Scores on the Exam
The main scoring results of the ACT consists of
grades for each section of 0 - 36.
Each of these sections are averages to create a
composite score of between 0 - 36.
The composite score of 36 is equal to 2400 on the SAT I.
You also receive subscores in English, Math, and
Reading that range from 0 - 18. These scores are
only used by you if you wish to assess your weaknesses
and retake the test.
Free Practice ACT tests
- Down load the ACT Test Booklet, including free sample test
Free ACT Test
Princeton, Free tests for ACT
- Check the test dates for 2006-2007 ACTs
- How to prepare/study for the test,
- Learn More and sign up for the test
Write a winning five-paragraph essay in 30 minutes
Learn about the ACT, the SATs, and compare the two exams
Gather Your Essential Test-Taking-Stuff the Night Before the Test
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