Preface xi
How This Book Is Arranged xii
Before You Begin xii
Part One: Getting Acquainted with the ACT Test 1
Chapter 1: About the ACT 3
Description of the Full ACT Test 4
English Test 4
Mathematics Test 6
Reading Test 14
Science Test 17
Writing Test (Optional) 19
Unscored Items 21
Using a Calculator 22
Taking the Test 23
Summary 24
Chapter 2: Preparation, Skills, and Strategies 25
Mental Preparation 26
Identify Strengths and Address Areas of Improvement 26
Develop a Positive Mental Attitude 27
Keep the Test in Perspective 27
General Test-Taking Strategies and Skills 27
Remain Calm 27
Pace Yourself 28
Know the Directions Ahead of Time 29
Read Carefully and Thoroughly 29
Choose Strategies for Answering Easier and More Difficult Questions 30
Use Logic on More Difficult Questions 30
Choose a Strategy for Guessing on Multiple-Choice Questions 30
Choose a Strategy for Changing Answers 31
Write Notes in Your Test Booklet 31
Mark Your Answers Carefully 31
Plan to Check Your Answers 32
Learn Strategies for Specific Tests 32
Summary 32
Part Two: Taking and Evaluating Your First Practice Test 35
Chapter 3: Taking and Scoring Your First ACT Practice Test 37
Simulating Testing Conditions 37
Scoring Your Practice Test 99
Scoring Your Multiple-Choice Practice Tests 100
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test Essay 106
Reviewing Explanatory Answers 111
Chapter 4: Identifying Areas for Improvement 170
Reviewing Your Overall Performance 171
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the English Test 172
Test-Taking Errors 172
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Mathematics Test 174
Math Subject Areas 174
Test-Taking Errors 174
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Reading Test 175
Types of Reading Passages 176
Reading Skills Tested 176
Test-Taking Errors 177
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Science Test 178
Science Subject Areas 178
Types of Science Passages 179
Test-Taking Errors 179
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Writing Test 180
Writing Skills Tested 180
Writing Strategy or Process Errors 182
Part Three: Improving Your Score 183
Chapter 5: Improving Your English Score 185
Content of the ACT English Test 185
Types of Questions on the ACT English Test 186
Strategies for Taking the ACT English Test 195
Chapter 6: Improving Your Math Score 211
Content of the ACT Mathematics Test 212
Preparing for Higher Math 212
Integrating Essential Skills 212
Modeling 213
Types of Questions on the ACT Mathematics Test 213
Basic Math Problems 213
Basic Math Problems in Settings 217
Very Challenging Problems 221
Strategies for Taking the ACT Mathematics Test 229
Pace Yourself 229
Answer All Questions 229
Answer All the Easy Questions First, Then Go Back to Answer the Hard Ones 230
Read Each Problem Carefully 230
Look for Information in the Answer Choices 230
Use Illustrations Wisely and Whenever You Can 231
Use Your Calculator Wisely 231
Think! 231
Show Your Work 232
Check Your Answers 232
Chapter 7: Improving Your Reading Score 233
Content of the ACT Reading Test 233
Key Ideas and Details 234
Craft and Structure 234
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas 234
Types of Questions on the ACT Reading Test 235
Representative ACT Reading Test Questions 235
Strategies for Taking the ACT Reading Test 244
Pace Yourself 244
Use the Time Allotted 244
Think of an Overall Strategy That Works for You 245
Keep the Passage as a Whole in Mind 245
Find a Strategy for Approaching Each Question 245
Reading Strategies Summary 246
Chapter 8: Improving Your Science Score 254
Content of the ACT Science Test 254
Format of the ACT Science Test 255
Data Representation Format 256
Discussion of Sample Passage I (Data Representation) 258
Research Summaries Format 261
Discussion of Sample Passage II (Research Summaries) 263
Conflicting Viewpoints Format 265
Discussion of Sample Passage III (Conflicting Viewpoints) 267
Strategies for Taking the ACT Science Test 270
Develop a Problem-Solving Method 270
Take Notes 271
Pace Yourself 271
Practice Interpreting Graphs, Tables, and Diagrams 271
Make the Most of the Information in Graphs 272
Make the Most of the Information in Tables 274
Develop an Understanding of Scientific Investigations 275
Carefully Analyze Conflicting Viewpoints 275
Chapter 9: Improving Your Score on the Optional Writing Test 276
Content of the ACT Writing Test 277
How Your Essay Will Be Scored 277
Sample Prompt and Essays 277
Sample ACT Writing Test Prompt 278
Planning Your Essay 280
Sample Essay Responses 281
Strategies for Taking the ACT Writing Test 304
Prewrite 304
Write 304
Review Your Essay 305
Practice 305
Part Four: Taking Additional Practice Tests 307
Chapter 10: Taking Additional Practice Tests 309
Practice Test 2 315
Explanatory Answers 371
Practice Test 3 429
Explanatory Answers 485
Practice Test 4 543
Explanatory Answers 599
Chapter 11: Scoring the Additional Practice Tests 649
Scoring Your Practice Tests 650
Scoring Practice Test 2 651
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 651
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 2 Essay 657
Scoring Practice Test 3 659
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 659
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 3 Essay 665
Scoring Practice Test 4 667
Scoring Your Multiple-Choice Practice Tests 667
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 4 Essay 673
Chapter 12: Interpreting Your ACT Test Scores and Ranks 675
Understanding Your ACT Test Results 677
How ACT Scores Your Multiple-Choice Tests 677
How ACT Scores Your Writing Test 677
Recognizing That Test Scores Are Estimates of Educational Achievement 677
Using Ranks to Interpret Your Scores 678
Comparing Your Test Scores to Each Other 678
Comparing Your Scores and Ranks to Your High School Grades 678
Comparing Your Scores to Those of Enrolled First-Year College Students 678
Using ACT College and Career Readiness Standards to Help You Understand Your ACT Scores 679
Planning Your Education and Career 680
Seeking Additional Information and Guidance 680
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards—English 681
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards—Mathematics 688
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards—Reading 697
Text Complexity Rubric—Reading 704
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards—Science 711
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards—Writing 715
Part Five: Moving Forward to Test Day 719
Chapter 13: Registering, Planning, and Packing for Test Day 721
National Testing Program Versus State and District Testing 722
Registering for the ACT 722
Selecting a National Testing Date and Location 722
Selecting a Test Option 724
Registering 724
Registering under Special Circumstances 725
Planning and Packing for Test Day 725
Getting to the Test Center 725
Dressing for Test Day 726
Packing for Test Day: What to Bring 726
Obtaining Additional Test Details 727
At the Test Center 727
Checking In 727
Following the Rules 728
Communicating with the Testing Staff 729
Maintaining Your Composure and Energy 730
Voiding Your Answer Documents on Test Day 731
Testing More Than Once 731
