This packet contains some basic testing tips to help boost your performance on the March 19 th ACT...

This packet contains some basic testing tips to help boost your performance on

the March 19th ACT test

Central ACT Tips

ENGLISH TEST – Session 145 MINUTES 75 QUESTIONS

When editing the wording of a sentence, it is important to edit the sentence down, rather than up. In other words, remove repetitive, redundant, and wordy elements from the sentence. ACT values editing that makes wording more concise: clear, efficient, and direct. In most cases, wording questions can be answered with the shortest answer, but it is still important to look carefully at the options given. Wording questions are easily identified because all of the answers will differ greatly in length and content. Non-wording questions feature answers that are more similar in structure, where the only change is the placement of punctuation, the tense of the verb, the ending of a word, etc.

Today’s Tip!

ENGLISH TEST45 MINUTES 75 QUESTIONS

Passage I

Almost everywhere spread through

the British Isles are to be found antiquities.

These are carefully marked on

governmental, and many private maps and

historians describe them in publicly available

guides. Governmental agencies, the

National Trust, and private landlords are

most accommodating in permitting visits to

these unattended sites, most of which are

unsupervised yet immaculate.

2. (A) NO CHANGE(B) most of which are unsupervised

although immaculate.(C) most of which are immaculate.(D) most of which are unsupervised.

2

Passage used by permission from the Barron’s ACT Guide, 15th Edition, Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., 2008

ENGLISH TEST45 MINUTES 75 QUESTIONS

Passage I


the British Isles are to be found antiquities.

These are carefully marked on

governmental, and many private maps and

historians describe them in publicly available





unsupervised yet immaculate.

2 (A) NO CHANGE(B) most of which are unsupervised

although immaculate.

(C) most of which are immaculate.(D) most of which are unsupervised.

2

Rule: Avoid redundancy in wording. The word “unsupervised” is redundant with the word “unattended.” “Immaculate” is the only choice that is not redundant. It may be true that omitting the phrase is the best choice, but it is not offered as an option.

Passage used by permission from the Barron’s ACT Guide, 15th Edition, Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., 2008

ENGLISH TEST – Session 1Tip 1 – Exit Question

45 MINUTES 75 QUESTIONS

Passage I

For some people, traditional American

Indian music is associated and connected

with high penetrating vocals accompanied by

a steady drumbeat. In tribal communities in

the southwestern United States, however,

one is likely to hear something similar to the

polka-influenced dance music of northern

Mexico. The music is called “waila.” Among

the O’odham tribes of Arizona, waila has

been popular for more than a century.

ACT-61C-PRACTICE

1

1. (A) NO CHANGE(B) connected by some of them(C) linked by association(D) associated

ENGLISH TEST – Session 1Tip 1 – Exit Question


Passage I

For some people, traditional American

Indian music is associated and connected

with high penetrating vocals accompanied by

a steady drumbeat. In tribal communities in

the southwestern United States, however,

one is likely to hear something similar to the

polka-influenced dance music of northern

Mexico. The music is called “waila.” Among

the O’odham tribes of Arizona, waila has

been popular for more than a century.

ACT-61C-PRACTICE

1

1. (A) NO CHANGE(B) connected by some of them(C) linked by association

(D) associated

Rule: Avoid redundancy in wording. The word “associated” is redundant with the word “connected.” “By some of them” is an unnecessary phrase, and “linked” is also redundant with the word “associated.” Therefore, “D” is the only acceptable answer. By the way, it also happens to be the shortest answer! Worth remembering!


When combining sentence, play close attention to conjunctions and punctuations. Sentences can be combined using semicolons, and commas are appropriate when coordinating conjunctions are used (and, but, or, for, nor, so, or yet). Do not use a comma before “because,” “while,” “when,” “as,” “if.” Also, be careful when punctuating conjunctive adverbs: therefore, however, and although. If they appear between sentences, they should be preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma. If those adverbs interrupt a sentence, they are just set off with commas. For example: I went to the store; however, I forgot to bring my coupons. I did, however, find great deals at the store.

Today’s Tip!

ENGLISH TEST – Session 2Tip 2 – Practice Question


Passage I


the British Isles are to be found antiquities

because these are carefully marked on

governmental and many private maps.

Historians describe them in publicly available





unsupervised yet immaculate.Passage used by permission from the Barron’s ACT Guide, 15th Edition, Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., 2008

2

2. (A) NO CHANGE(B) found antiquities, because these(C) found antiquities, and these(D) found antiquities, however, these



Passage I


the British Isles are to be found antiquities

and these are carefully marked on

governmental and many private maps.

Historians describe them in publicly available





unsupervised yet immaculate.Passage used by permission from the Barron’s ACT Guide, 15th Edition, Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., 2008

2

2. (A) NO CHANGE(B) found antiquities, because these

(C) found antiquities, and these(D) found antiquities, however, these

Rule: The word “because” doesn’t logically join these clauses. “Because” suggests cause/effect. Also, option “B” can’t work because “because” is never preceded by a comma. Option “D” doesn’t work because “however” is an illogical conjunction (suggests contrast), and if it were logical, it would need to be preceded by a semicolon.


When proofreading text, be sure to pay close attention to easily confused words. Sometimes, those words will be usage and definition confusions: accept/except, effect/affect, assure/ensure, etc. However, often those words will be faulty possessive usage: Its/It’s, Their/They’re, Familys/Family’s, Teams/Teams’/Team’s, etc. Be careful to look out for colloquial confusions as well: would of/would have, could of/could have, etc. Tricky words are just that, tricky! You need to keep a close eye out for them.

Today’s Tip!

Passage I

People travel from round the world to

visit Great Britains famous landmarks. Its not

unusual for travelers to be overwhelmed by

the many choices they have. Their usually

faced with limited time and too many options.

Following trips abroad, many people

discover that they would of preferred a little

guidance from a travel agent or a tour guide.

Usually, those services are inexpensive, and

often they are free.

3. (A) NO CHANGE(B) There usually faced(C) They usually face(D) They’re usually faced

3

4. (A) NO CHANGE(B) he would of preferred(C) they would’ve preferred(D) we would’ve preferred4




45 MINUTES 75 QUESTIONSPassage I

People travel from round the world to

visit Great Britains famous landmarks. Its not

unusual for travelers to be overwhelmed by

the many choices they have. Their usually

faced with limited time and too many options.

Following trips abroad, many people

discover that they would of preferred a little

guidance from a travel agent or a tour guide.

Usually, those services are inexpensive, and

often they are free.

3. (A) NO CHANGE(B) There usually faced(C) They usually face

(D) They’re usually faced

3

4. (A) NO CHANGE(B) he would of preferred

(C) they would’ve preferred(D) we would’ve preferred

4

Rule: The pronoun should agree with its antecedent, and the verbs should be proper in form.


1. Verb tense – look at the first sentence of the paragraph to determine ending or tense2. Parallel Structure – look for verb endings and similar structures in prepositional phrases and lists3. Vocabulary – make sure word choice is appropriate to the tone of the passage – don’t start formal and end chatty4. Paragraph structure – usually established by transitional words: Initially/subsequently, First/next, Important/more profoundly, etc.5. That/Which – That (no comma), Which (comma)6. Paragraph purpose – Main ideas are usually embedded in the first or last paragraph – first or last sentence7. Agreement – make sure that verbs agree with subjects and pronouns agree with antecedents

Additional Tips!


Know where the answers live: Take 5 and Dive! The 5 most important sentences to understanding structure and scanning:

1. The first sentence of the passage 2. The last sentence of the first paragraph

3. The first sentence of one of the middle paragraphs

4. The first sentence of the last paragraph 5. The last sentence of the last paragraph

Today’s Tip!

Reading TEST – Session 135 MINUTES 40 QUESTIONS

Passage II

Social Science: This passage is adapted from volume 2 of Blanche Wiesen Cook’s biography

Eleanor Roosevelt (©1999 by Blanche Wiesen Cook).

1. According to the passage, the primary principle underlying ER’s goals was that:

A. Every person deserved a dignified and decent life. B. As first lady, she could talk about things that had never been discussed before. C. Through radio and columns, she could show she was interested in every person. D. She must lead a bloodless American revolution.

Reading TEST – Session 135 MINUTES 40 QUESTIONS

Passage II

Social Science: This passage is adapted from volume 2 of Blanche Wiesen Cook’s biography

Eleanor Roosevelt (©1999 by Blanche Wiesen Cook).

1. According to the passage, the primary principle underlying ER’s goals was that:

A. Every person deserved a dignified and decent life.

B. As first lady, she could talk about things that had never been discussed before. C. Through radio and columns, she could show she was interested in every person. D. She must lead a bloodless American revolution.

Play close attention to the first sentence of the last paragraph in the first column. Remember, the Take 5 sentences often lead to important discoveries. This answer is a paraphrase of the first sentence of the middle paragraph

MATH TEST – Session 160 MINUTES 60 QUESTIONS

Time Management: A Two-Pass Plan

1. Examine each problem in order completing the ones you understand. If you don’t understand the problem within a few seconds, circle it then move on..

Today’s Tip!


2. Use the remaining time to go back and answer the questions you circled the first time through.

a. “harder but doable” – solve or best guess

b. “impossible” – guess

By the end of the second pass, every question should be answered!!!

Today’s Tip!


Solve Algebraic Equations (ones involving variables) by:

1. Plugging in the Answers (PITA) or working backwards to see which choice “works”

This method only works when the answer choices are numbers. For answer choices that involves variables (x, y, and/or z), see Tip 2.

Today’s Tips!



Plugging in x = 3 gives a value of 6 which is too big. Thus we need a smaller x value. Eliminate answers C, D, and E.

4)3(12)3(7)3( 2

712219

742

6

Work shown when plugging in x = 3 to : 4x

12x7x2



Plugging in x = 2 gives a value of 5. Thus the correct answer is B.

4)2(12)2(7)2( 2

612144

630

5


12x7x2



2. Plugging in your own values to see which choice “works”

This method only works when the answer choices involve variables (x, y, and/or z). It can be time consuming so you may reserve this for your second pass through the questions.

Today’s Tips!

Let’s choose n = 3 as our test.

2310)3(7)3(6 2

Not a prime factor of 23




A prime factor of 23!!

Therefore, the correct answer is E.

52)3(

15)3(2

71)3(2

110)3(3

235)3(6

So we need to find the answer choice that is a prime factor of 23.




This method only works when the answer choices are numbers. For answer choices that involves variables (x, y, and/or z), see Tip 2.

Today’s Tips!



Plugging in x = 3 gives a value of 6 which is too big. Thus we need a smaller x value. Eliminate answers C, D, and E.

4)3(12)3(7)3( 2

712219

742

6


12x7x2



Plugging in x = 2 gives a value of 5. Thus the correct answer is B.

4)2(12)2(7)2( 2

612144

630

5


12x7x2




This method only works when the answer choices involve variables (x, y, and/or z). It can be time consuming so you may reserve this for your second pass through the questions.

Today’s Tips!

Let’s choose n = 3 as our test.

2310)3(7)3(6 2





A prime factor of 23!!

Therefore, the correct answer is E.

52)3(

15)3(2

71)3(2

110)3(3

235)3(6

So we need to find the answer choice that is a prime factor of 23.

The Format• 35 minutes, 40 questions• 7 Passages divided into 3 Types

1. Data Representation (Charts and Graphs) – there are 3 of these, each with 5 questions

2. Research Summaries (Experiments) – there are 3 of these, each with 6 questions

3. Conflicting Viewpoints (Fighting Scientists) – there is 1 of these and it has 7 questions

• The passages are in no particular order regarding type or difficulty level.

SCIENCE REASONING TEST – Session 135 MINUTES 40 QUESTIONS

I. A 4-step Approach to Data Representation:

1. Scan and Summarize (What is the passage about?)2. Understand the Variables and/or Labels (What are we

working with?)3. Read the question and answer choices4. Choose the correct answer based on:

• Observed trends• Connections between the intro/graphs/charts• POE when needed (some choices will deal with

irrelevant or inaccurate information)

Today’s Tips!

Today’s Tips!

II. More on Process of Elimination

1. If the answer mentions something not in the intro or chart/graph, ELIMINATE IT. The correct answer can always be found or inferred from what is given.

2. If two choices make opposite statements (…oxygen levels decrease… vs …oxygen levels increase…), one of these two is often the correct choice

3. Guesstimate mathematical calculations. Most numeric answer choices vary significantly enough that a rough calculation will be sufficient.

SCIENCE REASONING TEST – Session 235 MINUTES 40 QUESTIONS

I. A 4-step Approach to Research Summaries:

1. Scan and Summarize (What are the experiments about?)

2. Understand the Apparatus and Materials (What are we working with in the experiments?)

3. Read the question and answer choices4. Choose the correct answer based on:

• Observed results• Statements made in the passages/experiment

descriptions• POE when needed

Today’s Tips!

Today’s Tips!

II. More on Process of Elimination

1. If the answer mentions something not in the specified experiment, even if it sounds reasonable, ELIMINATE IT. The correct answer can always be found or inferred from what is stated or concluded from the experiment referenced.

2. Guesstimate mathematical calculations. Most numeric answer choices vary significantly enough that a rough calculation will be sufficient.

This packet contains some basic testing tips to help boost your performance on the March 19 th ACT...

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