ACT - Blue Springs

ACT Prep
Opportunities
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ACT Prep Materials in the BSS Media Center
 ACT Prep Books Available for Check-Out
 The Real ACT Prep Guide : The only official prep guide from
the makers of the ACT
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Cracking the ACT : The Princeton Review
 Learning Express Library – On-line resource where
you can access ACT practice tests & ACT test-taking
strategies
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Can access in our school’s library or at Mid-Continent Library
Test Prep Opportunities @ Blue Springs South
 ACT Prep Days @ South
- October, December, & April
- Sign up in Counseling Office as soon as you get your invite
 ACT Prep class 3rd hour during the day –
½ credit elective
 College ACT Prep Days – See Guidance Announcements
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Northwest MO State
DeVry
Sylvan
 Afternoon sessions Tues, Wed and Thur the two
weeks prior to ACT – See Math teachers for dates.
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ACT Test Prep with
LearningExpress Library
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LearningExpress Library is designed to help people succeed
on the tests they must pass to gain citizenship, improve their
testing skills or to further their education or career. Over
300 online academic and licensing practice tests including
SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, Advanced Placement, civil service,
military, real estate, law enforcement, citizenship, TOEFL, ESL
and basic skills. This testing resource also provides instant
scoring and customized feedback.
ACT English Practice Tests
ACT Math Practice Tests
ACT Reading Practice Tests
ACT Science Practice Tests
ACT Writing Practice Tests
ACT Preparation Courses and Guides
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How to Access
LearningExpress Library
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At school: Students need to open MORE.net. Click and hold
the Support tab, scroll down to Online Resources and then
choose LearningExpress Library. A second page will open and
users should click on the URL that redirects to the database.
Away from School: Students can also access LearningExpress
Library through Mid-Continent Public Library while on a
branch computer or with the use of their library card
through the online database entry point.
After opening the database students should create a
password or log in with a previously created password
where indicated (see below.) ACT test preps will be located
on the College Preparation tab on the left hand side of the
screen also circled below.
After logging in, click
here to find the ACT
test prep
• New Users create
a login/profile here
• Returning Users
log in here
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Test Prep
ACT Online Prep™
The only test preparation program designed exclusively by ACT test development professionals!
The Real ACT Prep Guide
The official ACT prep guide—the only one that includes five actual retired ACT tests—each with an optional Writing Test.
ACT Question of the Day
Each day we post a new ACT Test practice question.
Preparing for the ACT (PDF; 64 pages, 2MB) or Preparación para el examen de ACT (PDF; 86 pages, 1.18MB)
A free student preparation booklet available from most high schools and colleges—includes test information, complete
practice tests with scoring keys, and a writing prompt with sample essays.
Practice test questions
Test tips
Test descriptions
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Description of the ACT
The ACT (No Writing) consists of four multiple-choice tests: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The
ACT Plus Writing includes the four multiple-choice tests and a Writing Test.
Test
English
75 questions
45 minutes
Mathematics
Reading
60 questions
40 questions
60 minutes
35 minutes
Science
Optional
Writing Test
40 questions
35 minutes
1 prompt
30 minutes
Content
Measures standard written English and rhetorical skills.
Measures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in
courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12.
Measures reading comprehension.
Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and
problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.
Measures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes
and in entry-level college composition courses.
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Test Day Tips
ID requirements have changed. You need both a printed copy of your ticket and acceptable photo ID to test.
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Get plenty of rest the night before test day.
 Dress comfortably. Some test centers are warmer or cooler on weekends than during the week. Consider dressing in
layers, so you'll be comfortable no matter what the room conditions are.
 Check your ticket for your test option—ACT (No Writing) or ACT Plus Writing—Reporting Time (normally 8:00
a.m.), and the reporting location of your test center.
 You must bring a printed copy of your ticket to the test center. You will not be admitted without it. In addition,
your ticket contains Matching Information you must copy exactly onto your answer document or your scores will be
delayed, possibly up to 8 weeks.
 If you're unsure where your test center is located, do a practice run to see how to get there and what time you'll need to
leave to arrive by 8:00 a.m.
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If you arrive earlier than 7:45 a.m., you might have to wait outside until testing staff complete their arrangements.
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Make sure you have acceptable photo identification. You will not be admitted to test if your ID does not meet ACT’s
requirements.
Bring snacks or drinks to consume outside the test room only during the break.
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Be ready to begin testing after everyone has been checked in and seated.
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Tips for Taking the ACT
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Carefully read the instructions on the cover of the test booklet.
Read the directions for each test carefully.
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Read each question carefully.
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Pace yourself—don't spend too much time on a single passage or question.
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Pay attention to the announcement of five minutes remaining on each test.
 Use a soft lead No. 2 pencil with a good eraser. Do not use a mechanical pencil or ink pen; if you do, your answer
document cannot be scored accurately.
 Answer the easy questions first, then go back and answer the more difficult ones if you have time remaining on that
test.
 On difficult questions, eliminate as many incorrect answers as you can, then make an educated guess among those
remaining.
 Answer every question. Your scores on the multiple-choice tests are based on the number of questions you answer
correctly. There is no penalty for guessing.
 If you complete a test before time is called, recheck your work on that test.
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Mark your answers properly. Erase any mark completely and cleanly without smudging.
 Do not mark or alter any ovals on a test or continue writing the essay after time has been called. If you do, you will be
dismissed and your answer document will not be scored.
 If you are taking the ACT Plus Writing, see these Writing Test tips.
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Tips for the ACT Multiple-choice Tests
English
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Be aware of the writing style used in each passage.
 Consider the elements of writing that are included in each underlined portion of the passage. Some questions will ask
you to base your decision on some specific element of writing, such as the tone or emphasis the text should convey.
 Be aware of questions with no underlined portions—that means you will be asked about a section of the passage or
about the passage as a whole.
 Examine each answer choice and determine how it differs from the others. Many of the questions in the test will
involve more than one aspect of writing.
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Read and consider all of the answer choices before you choose the one that best responds to the question.
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Determine the best answer.
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Reread the sentence, using your selected answer.
Mathematics
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Read each question carefully to make sure you understand the type of answer required.
 If you choose to use a calculator, be sure it is permitted, is working on test day, and has reliable batteries. Use your
calculator wisely.
 Solve the problem.
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Locate your solution among the answer choices.
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Make sure you answer the question asked.
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Make sure your answer is reasonable.
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Check your work.
Reading
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Read the passage(s) carefully.
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Read and consider all of the answer choices before you choose the one that best responds to the question.
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Refer to the passage(s) when answering the questions.
Science
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Read the passage carefully.
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Refer to the scientific information in the passage when answering the question.
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Read and consider all of the answer choices before you choose the one that best responds to the question.
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Note conflicting viewpoints in some passages.
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Community
Resources
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Sylvan Learning Center - http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/SAT_ACT_test_prep_programs.cfm
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Club Z Tutoring - http://clubztutoring.com/test-preparation/ACT-Tutoring
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Princeton Review - http://www.princetonreview.com/college/act-test-preparation.aspx
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