The Official ACT Prep Guide 2020-2021

Description

Preface How This Book Is Arranged Before You Begin Part One: Getting Acquainted with the ACT Test Chapter 1: About the ACT Description of the ACT Test English Test Mathematics Test Reading Test Science Test Writing Test (Optional) The Fifth Test and Section Retesting ACT Test Formats: Paper and Online Using a Calculator Taking the Test Summary Chapter 2: Preparation, Skills, and Strategies Mental Preparation Identify Strengths and Address Areas of Improvement Develop a Positive Mental Attitude Keep the Test in Perspective General Test-Taking Strategies and Skills Remain Calm Pace Yourself Know the Directions Ahead of Time Read Carefully and Thoroughly Choose Strategies for Answering Easier and More Difficult Questions Use Logic on More Difficult Questions Choose a Strategy for Guessing on Multiple-Choice Questions Choose a Strategy for Changing Answers Write Notes in Your Test Booklet Mark Your Answers Carefully Plan to Check Your Answers Learn Strategies for Specific Tests Summary Part Two: Taking and Evaluating Your First Practice Test Chapter 3: Taking and Scoring Your First ACT Practice Test Simulating Testing Conditions Practice Test 1 Scoring Your Practice Test Scoring Your Multiple-Choice Practice Tests Scoring Your Practice Writing Test Essay Reviewing Explanatory Answers Chapter 4: Identifying Areas for Improvement Reviewing Your Overall Performance Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the English Test Test-Taking Errors Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Mathematics Test Math Subject Areas Test-Taking Errors Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Reading Test Types of Reading Passages Reading Skills Tested Test-Taking Errors Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Science Test Science Subject Areas Types of Science Questions Test-Taking Errors Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Writing Test Writing Skills Tested Writing Strategy or Process Errors Part Three: Improving Your Score Chapter 5: Improving Your English Score Content of the ACT English Test Types of Questions on the ACT English Test Strategies for Taking the ACT English Test Chapter 6: Improving Your Math Score Content of the ACT Mathematics Test Preparing for Higher Math Integrating Essential Skills Modeling Types of Questions on the ACT Mathematics Test Basic Math Problems Basic Math Problems in Settings Very Challenging Problems Question Sets Strategies for Taking the ACT Mathematics Test Pace Yourself Answer All Questions Answer All the Easy Questions First, Then Go Back to Answer the Hard Ones Read Each Problem Carefully Look for Information in the Answer Choices Use Illustrations Wisely and Whenever You Can Use Your Calculator Wisely Think! Show Your Work Check Your Answers Chapter 7: Improving Your Reading Score Content of the ACT Reading Test Key Ideas and Details Craft and Structure Integration of Knowledge and Ideas Types of Questions on the ACT Reading Test Representative ACT Reading Test Questions Strategies for Taking the ACT Reading Test Pace Yourself Use the Time Allotted Think of an Overall Strategy That Works for You Keep the Passage as a Whole in Mind Find a Strategy for Approaching Each Question Reading Strategies Summary Chapter 8: Improving Your Science Score Content of the ACT Science Test Format of the ACT Science Test Data Representation Format Discussion of Sample Passage I (Data Representation) Research Summaries Format Discussion of Sample Passage II (Research Summaries) Conflicting Viewpoints Format Discussion of Sample Passage III (Conflicting Viewpoints) Strategies for Taking the ACT Science Test Develop a Problem-Solving Method Take Notes Pace Yourself Practice Interpreting Graphs, Tables, and Diagrams Make the Most of the Information in Graphs Make the Most of the Information in Tables Develop an Understanding of Scientific Investigations Carefully Analyze Conflicting Viewpoints Chapter 9: Improving Your Score on the Optional Writing Test Content of the ACT Writing Test How Your Essay Will Be Scored Sample Prompt and Essays Sample ACT Writing Test Prompt Sample Essay Responses Strategies for Taking the ACT Writing Test Prewrite Write Review Your Essay Practice Part Four: Taking Additional Practice Tests Chapter 10: Taking Additional Practice Tests Practice Test 2 Explanatory Answers Practice Test 3 Explanatory Answers Practice Test 4 Explanatory Answers Practice Test 5 Explanatory Answers Chapter 11: Scoring the Additional Practice Tests Scoring Your Practice Tests Scoring Practice Test 2 Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 2 Essay Scoring Practice Test 3 Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 3 Essay Scoring Practice Test 4 Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 4 Essay Scoring Practice Test 5 Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 5 Essay Chapter 12: Interpreting Your ACT Test Scores and Ranks Understanding Your ACT Test Results How ACT Scores Your Multiple-Choice Tests How ACT Scores Your Writing Test Recognizing That Test Scores Are Estimates of Educational Achievement Using Ranks to Interpret Your Scores Comparing Your Test Scores to Each Other Comparing Your Scores and Ranks to Your High School Grades Comparing Your Scores to Those of Enrolled First-Year College Students Using ACT College and Career Readiness Standards to Help You Understand Your ACT Scores Planning Your Education and Career Seeking Additional Information and Guidance ACT College and Career Readiness Standards—English Production of Writing ACT College and Career Readiness Standards—Mathematics ACT College and Career Readiness Standards—Reading Text Complexity Rubric—Reading ACT College and Career Readiness Standards—Science Part Five: Moving Forward to Test Day Chapter 13: Registering, Planning, and Packing for Test Day National Testing Program versus State and District Testing Registering for the ACT Selecting a National Testing Date and Location Selecting a Test Option Registering Registering Under Special Circumstances Planning and Packing for Test Day Getting to the Test Center Dressing for Test Day Packing for Test Day: What to Bring Obtaining Additional Test Details At the Test Center Checking In Following the Rules Communicating with the Testing Staff Maintaining Your Composure and Energy Voiding Your Answer Documents on Test Day Testing More Than Once Access Pin End User License Agreement