ACT Test - What You Need To Know

Your Academic Achievement Subjects Tested

 

Act Test, is a standardized college admission test started by The College Board. The ACT test consists of four individual tests that comprise a total of 215 questions. Your academic achievement is measured in these areas;

 

  • Math
  • Reading
  • English
  • Science Reading

 

Heads UP on the "optional" 30 minute writing essay. Some colleges require the essay, some do not.

 

So you you should have your college selection process well under control prior to taking the ACT Test. You can go back to our college strategy (home page) to discover the secret that makes this easier.

 

The ACT Test is about three and a half hours long with a short break between the the second and third sub-tests.

 

ACT Math

 

Mathematical Knowledge, Skills, Reasoning

 

Skills are tested in arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and a minute portion of trigonometry. Most of these concepts you will have been exposed to by the 11th grade.

 

The test is designed to measure your ability for computational skills and mathematical reasoning, no complex formulas. 

 

The ACT Math sections allows 60 minutes to answer 60 multiple-choice questions.

 

ACT Reading

 

Subject Readings - Prose Fiction-Natural Sciences

 

Social Studies-Humanities

 

The test measures your ability to read and comprehend four written passages in these categories:

 

  • Social Studies
  • Prose Friction
  • Natural Sciences
  • Humanities

 

 

Each passage is about 1,000 words for each category. You are given 35 minutes to read the passages and answer 40 questions on the reading.

 

ACT English

 

Fundamentals Of Usage - Diction - Rhetorical Skills

 

Sentence Construction

 

Part of the test requires the ability to distinguish between commonly confused words which can be practiced and mastered, such an example would be the difference between "affect" versus "effect". The questions fall into two categories;

 

  1. Usage - mechanics relating to grammar, punctuation, sentence structure
  2. Rhetorical skills  - writing strategy, style, organization

 

You have 45 minutes to answer 75 multiple choice questions from the five essays you read.

 

The English test differs from other ACT test subjects in that it assesses what you might already know versus what you can figure out when provided certain information with other subject test questions.

 

ACT Science Reading

 

Biology - Earth - Space Sciences-Chemistry - Physics

 

Talk about "crunch time", here it is. You are given 35 minutes to read, decipher, and understand 7 science passages. Following the experience you answer 40 multiple-questions. The ACT Test measures the following skills for the above subjects;

 

  • Problem-Solving
  • Evaluation
  • Reasoning
  • Interpretation
  • Analysis

 

Are you paying attention? Look at the order above, how about interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving - when you practice these skills become natural in the progression of the challenge before you.

 

ACT Writing Test - Optional

 

Check Your Target Schools' For Requirement

 

You are prompted to write about a  social issue (usually) when you are given two opposing viewpoints on the subject.

 

Then you are asked to write a short essay voicing your opinion with supporting evidence as to your reasons.

 

Always remember to organize your essay into an intro, body, and conclusion. Although that might seem simple, many times in the "excitement" this is missed.

 

And, your personal experiences in formulating your opinion based upon validating information presented can weigh heavily in your favor.

 

That said, should you have a compelling argument based upon established "life learning experiences" then present it.

 

The secret is how you present your information into a well organized thought out essay.

 

ACT Registration 

 

Five times a year students register and take the ACT Test. The cost is $32 for the test unless you are taking the ACT Plus Writing, then it is $47. You can register at act student.

 

ACT Test Dates are as follows:

  • February 11, 2012

  • April 14, 2012

  • June 9, 2012

 

ACT Test  - try out the free trial with our recommended Video Based Practice Platform, or go directly to our ePrep Practice ACT Software  40% Discount Pricing Information.