ACT BLITZ
Juniors! The ACT is barely a month away. Are you...
Your amazing teachers have put together an ACT Blitz, and they (your counselors included) want to stress the importance of this particular exam. The purpose of the SAT/ACT is to let colleges get a better understanding of what your testing abilities look like. These tests are worth the same when it comes to college applications, but please note that these tests are one of the MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS when colleges decide who gets in and who doesn't. Here are the average ACT scores for the most popular schools our seniors applied to this past year:
UNC Pembroke - 19
UNC Greensboro - 23
East Carolina University - 23
UNC Charlotte - 22-26
Appalachian State Univeristy - 26
NC State University - 28
UNC Chapel Hill - 28-32
If you're looking at the list and realize that you didn't do so hot on your pre-ACT, don't despair! That's why we are here :) We will give you the resources you need, and then it's up to you to work hard and get that grade you know you deserve. Use this opportunity to get a feel for the test and then make it a mission to take it again (and again!). You're not supposed to get a perfect score the first time you take it. Just keep trying and stay focused.
Channel Your Inner Beyonce and SLAY THIS EXAM.
HERE'S YOUR
QUICK GUIDE TO THE ACT
The Breakdown
The ACT has 4 main sections and is graded from 1-36 points total:
English (75 questions, 45 mins) - grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills
Math (60 questions, 60 mins) - algebra I, algebra II, geometry, and some trig
Reading (40 questions, 35 mins) - prose fiction, social studies, humanities, and natural sciences
Science (40 questions, 35 mins) - interpreting graphs, charts, tables, and research summaries
Writing (1 essay, 30 mins) not factored into your overall score*
Basic Tips
- Familiarize yourself with the test format, individual sections, and instructions to save time on test day
- ANSWER EVERY SINGLE QUESTION.
- Write in your test booklet. Underline key words, mark out the answers you know are wrong, take notes, draw pics, etc.
THE ENGLISH SECTION
> Your goal is to have the shortest, most concise sentence possible. The shortest answer choice will often (but not always) be correct.
> Pay attention to matters of consistency: tenses, subject-verb agreement, noun-pronoun agreement, etc. The ACT loves testing these.
THE MATH SECTION
> Skip over word problems/paragraphs the first time through unless you know you can answer them quickly. Answer all of the fast questions first. You get points for the number of questions you get correct, and you don't get more points for harder questions.
> Use your answer choices by plugging them in!
> Sketch out anything visual and write down all of the information that you're working with so you're not digging back through the problem for numbers.
THE READING SECTION
> Skim the questions FIRST, then read the whole passage. Make notes in the margins as you read.
> If you're running out of time, skim. Read the intro carefully, then read the first and last sentences of every body paragraph, then read the conclusion carefully. You'll get the gist of the argument and will know where to look for the answers.
THE SCIENCE SECTION
> Read the questions FIRST, then skim for the answers. DO NOT try to read all of the charts/graphs/summaries first. This section intentionally tries to trick you by giving you more information than you will use. Ignore the clutter.
GRAMMAR CHEAT SHEET
> Affect = action / Effect = a result
> Your = possession / You're = you are
> To = location / Too = amount / Two = 2
> Then = a time or order / Than = a comparison
> Its = possession / It's = it is
> There = a place / Their = possession / They're = they are
> Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda are NOT words
> A lot is two words and is NOT spelled alot
> Use a comma before FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
> DO NOT use a comma if the beginning and end of could not stand alone as two complete sentences
> Use a comma after an introductory phrase when you begin a sentence with words such as like when, as, since, if, although, so, because, until, and for.
DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE FREE RESOURCES BLOG FOR SOME AWESOME RESOURCES!
Now go forth and slay that exam!
