ACT 101 Parent Edition

402-734-2000

jmcnamara@gcgmail.org

• Scores should only help your student, even when a school is test optional.
• Submitting scores helps with baseline determination on scholarships. If your student believes they can score well, then definitely take it.
• If a student chooses NOT to take the ACT and then later decides to go to a school that requires a school, the student might find themselves in a tough spot with deadlines to submit a score.

How many times should students take it?

• It is common to take the test 2 - 3 times. Statistically, the 2nd time shows the highest score but not always.

• Spring of junior year is a great first time, but students can take it anytime. Some sophomores even take it!
• Note for senior year: December is usually the last test date that will be accepted by colleges and where your score might help with scholarship money. Check with your individual college for this information. Sometimes the last-accepted test date changes from year to year.

How should students prepare for the ACT test?

• There are free options for ACT test prep along with programs that require a fee. See below.
• We offer ACT prep right here at Gross. It is a quarter long class taught by Mr. Sloup. ACT prep can be very helpful if the student takes it seriously and devotes time and energy to the program. If a student is unable to fit this class into their schedule, the student could contact Mr. Sloup to receive help outside of class.

• Students can send their scores to 4 colleges for FREE if they list those schools before they take the test. After that, there is a fee of $20.00 per test date per report for each additional college you send to.
• PRO TIP - be careful to enter all school codes accurately. If you enter the wrong code, you have used up one of your "freebies".
• Gross Catholic gets a copy of students' score reports but these are considered unofficial and colleges will not accept these as final proof.

• $70 is the current fee, unless you want to add the writing portion of the test. This covers the English, Math and Reading sections of the test.
• $5 add-on fee to take the Science portion of the test.
• $25 add-on fee to take the Writing portion of the test.
• $42 is the additional fee for a late registration so watch those deadlines!
• $42 is the fee charged if you must change your test date, test location or test form after you submit your registration (This is only during the late registration window).
• Fee waivers are available for families who qualify. Check your eligibility, or come ask Mrs. McNamara.
• There are extra costs for sending your scores to more than 4 schools and for some ACT prep options. There are also extra fees for changing anything about your registration after you submit it (date change, add/remove the writing sections)
• Complete list of fees.

Where do you sign up to take the ACT?

• Students should go to act.org, create an account, and follow the prompts to sign up for a test.
• Students will need a payment method ready to complete their sign up.

We HIGHLY recommend that students still take the science section of the test. Colleges also HIGHLY recommend that students still take the science section of the test.

There are a total of 44 fewer questions across the ACT.

The Math section will have 4 choices for answers instead of 5.

Changes by section include:

• English changes from 75 questions in 45 min to 50 questions in 35 minutes
• Math changes from 60 questions in 60 minutes to 45 questions in 50 minutes
• Reading changes from 40 questions in 35 minutes to 36 questions in 40 minutes
• Science changes from 40 items in 35 minutes to 40 items in 40 minutes

Definition of Superscore

• A Superscore exists only when a student has taken the ACT more than once.
• A Superscore is a composite score found by using the student's best score in each individual section from all the tests they have taken.
• EXAMPLE:

1. ACT #1 Scores: E: 27 M: 24 R: 22 S: 21 yields a composite of 24
2. ACT #2 Scores: E: 25 M: 24 R: 24 S: 27 yields a composite of 25
3. Superscore would be 26 based on E: 27 M: 24 R: 24 S: 27

Legacy Test

• Has a composite score based on English, Math, Reading and Science
• Has a STEM score based on Math and Science
• Has a Superscore based on English, Math, Reading and Science

Enhanced ACT

• Composite Score is based only on English, Math and Reading
• STEM score based on Science and Math is ONLY available if you opt into taking the science portion
• Superscore is based only on English, Math and Reading regardless of whether or not a student takes the science portion

You can download a booklet called "Preparing for the ACT Test". It gives an introduction to test format and layout, as well as provides helpful hints and test taking strategies. It also has one complete practice test.

The Omaha Public Library, Bellevue Public Library and Papillion Public Library all have free test prep as part of their library services! You can access the test prep through their websites. See this document for all links and instructions.

PAID OPTIONS THROUGH ACT:

There are lots of options to purchase test preparation books and other materials. Here are some you may want to check out at ACT.

The Official ACT Prep Guide - real test questions and detailed explanations of answers. A comprehensive guide in book form. Has some online features.

The Official ACT Beginner's Guide - A Step-by-Step beginner's guide to test success. Exclusive access to the PreACT diagnostic test. Has some online features.

The Official ACT subject guides - A book for each subject area of the ACT. Concept-based outlines for the section you plan to focus on.

The Official ACT Self-Paced Course - This is a 6-month unlimited subscription to on-demand videos and tutorials, led by an expert from Kaplan, with testing strategies and thousands of practice items.

The Official ACT Live On-line class - This is a 6-month access to a virtual classroom of test content and testing strategies led by an expert from Kaplan who can answer questions and adapt to your needs in real time. This allows access to everything in the Self-Paced Course, as well as 16 hours of live instruction.

NOTE: The books are available through ACT, as well as online book sellers like Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

OTHER PAID OPTIONS:

Local options:

3 Moms and a Test

Sylvan Learning Center

Huntington Learning Center

Other: OnToCollege (both local and online - also known as John Baylor test prep)

This classroom is the place where I post helpful information for both students and parents. The best way for parents to access this information is to have your student log in so you can see all the information. It is my hope that you view the classroom together. I believe the college and career planning should be driven by the student with the support of the parent. I encourage parents to empower their student to do the work! I am happy to answer your questions at any time, but remember whose future we are talking about. This is the time to let your student take charge. This is their future and it is time for them to begin taking responsibility for what needs to be done.