Preparing for Success

Transcription

1 Preparing fr Success - ACT Editin - Presented by

2 Lauren Gaggili Higher Scres Test Prep & Cllege Checklist Pdcast 9 years experience teaching ACT & SAT prep Graduate f NYU with a B.F.A. with Hnrs in Theater Full I.B. Diplma Recipient & AP Schlar #2 Pencil Nerd (Thanks Dad!) I still take the ACT (35) & SAT (1580)

3 Deep breath! We have a lt t cver Dn t wrry abut taking cpius ntes. Yu ll find a PDF f this presentatin + links t mentined resurces at: higherscrestestprep.cm/cwl16

4 Hw is the ACT structured? The ACT takes ~3 t 3.5 hurs t cmplete 4 Required Sectins 1 sectin each English, Math, Reading, and Science 1 Optinal Sectin Essay Sectin rder is predetermined. Timing f each sectin varies frm 35 minutes t 60 minutes. N mre than 1 minute per questin. There s n guessing penalty fr wrng answers.

5 What s tested n the ACT? English Math Punctuatin Grammar Rhetrical Skills Arithmetic Algebra I & II Gemetry Trignmetry Reading Science Lng Passage-Based Reading Questins All branches f science If yu can read charts & graphs, yu re all set! Essay The essay is ptinal. Similar t the AP Language Synthesis essay

6 Hw are the tests scred? ACT Cmpsite Scre (0-36) Average f the 4 main sectin scres Sectin Scres (0-36) English Math Reading Science Writing (0-12) SAT Ttal Scre ( ) Sum f the 2 sectin scres 2 Sectin Scres ( ) Evidence-Based Reading & Writing Math 3 Test Scres (10-40) Reading, Writing & Language, Math Essay Scres (3 Sectins, 2-8) Reading, Analysis, Writing

7 What s a gd test scre? Average ACT Scre = 21 Average SAT Scre = 1000 Bttm line: the best test scre is the ne that gets yu int cllege! What yu ll need t get int cllege depends tremendusly upn the clleges yu re interested in. Every schl s range is different, but as a general rule f thumb aim fr nrth f the middle.

8 Testing Best Practices 1. Never take an fficial exam as practice test. Very few students are happy with their first effrts. Bad scres may end up n yur applicatins. 2. Select the test (and test dates) carefully. Chse the test that is right fr yu. Have the dates blcked ff in yur calendar by the beginning f junir year. 3. Prepare diligently. Set a time frame (n mre than 3 mnths) and a study schedule (2-3 sessins per week). Use fficial test materials whenever pssible. Take full-length practice tests as a part f practice.

9 Testing Best Practices 4. Take yur test n 2 back-t-back test dates. Keep a 3 rd date in reserve. The secnd exam will be a security blanket n the yur first test. Yu ll remember the strategies yu learned during preparatin n the secnd test. If yu are diligent, yu can be dne with testing quickly and (relatively) painlessly. 5. Remember t factr in the PSAT & SAT Subject Exams. Fr sme students, there s schlarship mney in the Octber PSAT/MNSQT junir year. Prepare accrdingly! Sme schls still require r strngly recmmend SAT subject exams. Dn t leave these exams ut f the testing timeline cnversatin.

10 My Tp 3 Tips Fr Testing Success Tip #1: Fcus n accuracy ver speed! (ACCURACY > SPEED) Wuld yu rather answer 10 questins and miss 1 r answer 14 questins and miss half? Finishing the test fr the sake f finishing feels gd but usually lwers test scres. Slw dwn. D the wrk. Yur scre will be better fr it. Tip #2: Write in yur test bklet! Writing is yur test bklet is yur main tl t ensure accuracy and ward ff brain drain. It s als yur nly insurance plicy if yu fill in the bubbles incrrectly. Yu may think yu dn t need t d it, but trust me yu d! It s saved me many times.

11 My Tp 3 Tips Fr Testing Success Tip #3: Fill in every bubble. This des NOT mean yu shuld wrk thrugh every questin. Hwever, because there is n guessing penalty n either the ACT r the SAT, yu shuld fill in each bubble befre time is called. [BONUS] ACCURACY > SPEED Yup. It s that imprtant.

12 A Few Mre Resurces SAT & ACT Dates: higherscrestestprep.cm/testdates 6 Steps t the Perfect Testing Timeline: higherscrestestprep.cm/42 Free 20-Minute Cnsultatin: higherscrestestprep.cm/help

13 S Nw What? 1. Cmplete 1 timed practice sectin (each) f the exam yu re planning t take using these new strategies. 2. Crrect and review yur practice sectins in detail, identifying any patterns in yur wrk bth gd and bad. 3. Use free resurces (Khan Academy, GrammarBk.cm, YuTube Search) t brush up n the subjects yu are weakest in. 4. Take a full-length timed practice test. 5. Review the results thrughly and finalize yur test day strategy. Yu can find free printable practice tests and links t practice questins at higherscrestestprep.cm/15free

14 It s Yur Turn! Q & A

15 THANK YOU! Want help with cllege admissins, financial aid, schlarships, etc.? CllegeChecklistPdcast.cm