Preparing for the ACT 2025

All SPASD Juniors will be taking the ACT on Tuesday, March 11th. This newsletter over the next 4 weeks will help you have the key information that you need to get ready and do your very best.

This week:

• Know your Purpose. Set a Goal.
• Study with a Buddy
• Methodize Test Prep

Next week:

• Time Management
• General Test Tips
• English Test Tips

Week 3:

• Reading Test Tips
• Math Test Tips
• Calculator Tips
• Science Test Tips
• Build off your strengths
• You've got this!

Week 4:

• You are ready
• Logistics

WHY does the ACT matter?

None of us are likely to stand in line to take a standardized test, however, they are a part of our society and can serve an important role and provide feedback, information and access to opportunities. Where do standardized tests after high school? Driver’s license test, some jobs require a math or basic skills test, entrance exams (like the ACT) for college, GRE, MCAT, BAR exam etc.

Standardized test scores are one important piece of the college admissions process and strong scores, demonstrating strong skills can lead to eligibility of free money in financial aid for school.

• Goal Setting. What is “good” on the ACT?

The ACT College Readiness Benchmarks are the minimum ACT scores required for students to have a high probability of success in credit-bearing first-year college courses. Students who meet a benchmark on the ACT have approximately a 50% chance of earning a B or better and approximately a 75% chance of earning a C or better in the corresponding college course or courses.

• English= 18

• Math= 22

• Reading= 22

• Science= 23

A perfect score on any portion of the ACT is a 36.

• I’ve heard colleges are now “test optional”. Is that true? What does it mean?
  Some colleges and universities do not require an SAT or ACT score for admission, however most colleges still want to see how you scored. Even if a school is test-optional, having a strong score will help demonstrate your college readiness and set you apart.

• Money for School! Many schools, and other organizations, award merit-based financial aid to students, and test scores are often one of the most important factors in determining which students get scholarships and which don't. Even if the schools you're applying to are test-optional, they may still require test scores for financial aid. Research shows up to 60% of scholarships require an SAT or ACT score to be submitted as part of the application process. Check out scholarship opportunities here (it is the same information for all 3 schools).

• Feedback on Skills The ACT can provide feedback and help you identify areas of academic strength and areas of growth. Not only do you get an overall, “composite”, score you also receive individual scores for each test section. Additionally, you can learn more about the specific skills within each subtest and where you were strong and where you should focus in your senior year.

• School Feedback and Evaluation The SPASD school improvement system works off of scorecards. The measure within the scorecards are set by the school board. These are measurements that the community wants to see both success and growth of students to show our school’s success. ACT Math and Reading scores are two of the metrics we report out to the district and the community. These scores are also used on our state report card as a snapshot of the academic health of our community.

Studying with others can yield benefits in so many ways:

• It's more fun!
• More engaging and have others to help you get back on track when you get distracted
• Set community goals and hold each other accountable
• Learn from and with each other.

• EAST: Look for ACT Prep in Flexi, for more information reach out to Ms. Feltham
• WEST: Sign up for ACT Prep WIN Time THIS WEEK! During WIN: Wednesday is in 1612 with Ms. Andreasen and Thursday is with Ms. Cassiday in room 3411. Sign up in Flexi TODAY.
• PPA: ACT Prep is coming! Talk to Ms. Sconiers for more details

EVERY SPASD High School student has FREE Access to Methodize test prep. This is an online, self-guided prep program that will help ;you be your best on test day. Start using it to prepare yourself TODAY!

To access Methodize, log into Xello and scroll down to find the link. There are 60 modules of 15 minutes each, plus two full length practice tests. If you do three modules a day you will be finished with the test prep before the ACT.

Study alone or better yet, go through the modules with a friend or study group. While it is designed for 11th graders it is open to ALL students. Ninth and 10th graders are also encouraged to practice ahead of the Pre-ACT. Using your 9th and 10th grade year to focus in will make you that much more prepared for your 11th grade year.