ACT 36 in Just 7 Steps | DeMystified

ACT 36 in Just 7 Steps

Authors: Maria Filsinger and Shaan Patel

Published: September 2013

eISBN: 9780071814423 0071814426 | ISBN: 9780071814416

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Contents

Acknowledgments

Learn how to study for the ACT

Four key principles

Principle 1 · Learn 36 Strategies

Principle 2 · Study 36 Examples

Principle 3 · Complete 36 Practice Problem Sets

Principle 4 · Concentrate on 36 Review

The ACT: the basics

What is the ACT?

Why does the ACT exist?

What are the differences between the ACT and the SAT?

What is the format of the ACT?

How many questions are there on the ACT?

How long does the exam take?

How is the exam scored?

How often is the ACT administered?

How much does it cost?

How do I register?

How important is the ACT?

How many times should I take the ACT?

How is the ACT reported?

What is the TIR?

Should I take the ACT Writing test?

What is the PLAN?

What about special circumstances?

The truth about the ACT

Essential materials

General ACT preparation

Take a diagnostic exam

Work together: 36 Practice and 36 Review

When to prepare

Where to prepare

What to memorize

Physical and mental health

General 36 Strategies

General 36 Strategy 1 · Practice how to take the ACT

General 36 Strategy 2 · Write it all down

General 36 Strategy 3 · Bubble one page at a time

General 36 Strategy 4 · Skip and return

General 36 Strategy 5 · Always guess—always

Extra tips and tricks

1 Prepare for ACT English

Stats

Breaking down ACT English

English 36 Strategies

English 36 Strategy 1 · Say it out loud (well, not really)

English 36 Strategy 2 · Eliminate choices you know are wrong

English 36 Strategy 3 · Don’t forget about “NO CHANGE” and “DELETE”

English 36 Strategy 4 · Shorter is sweeter

English 36 Strategy 5 · Read and answer as you go

Categories

Usage/mechanics (53%)

Rhetorical skills (47%)

2 Prepare for ACT Math

Stats

Breaking down ACT Math

Logistics

Timing

Using a calculator

Mathematical concepts

Topics covered

Basic math

Pre-algebra

Elementary algebra

Intermediate algebra

Coordinate geometry

Plane geometry

Trigonometry

Math 36 Strategies

Equations to memorize

Intermediate algebra

Coordinate geometry

Plane geometry

Trigonometry

3 Prepare for ACT Reading

Stats

Breaking down ACT Reading

General strategy

Timing

The high school difference

Literal vs. critical thinking

Skills tested

Reading 36 Strategies

Reading 36 Strategy 1 · Write your own answer down first

Reading 36 Strategy 2 · Skim it to win it

Reading 36 Strategy 3 · Read actively

Reading 36 Strategy 4 · Don’t defend the choices—attack

Reading 36 Strategy 5 · Don’t assume

Reading 36 Strategy 6 · Avoid extremes

Reading 36 Strategy 7 · Choose general over specific

Reading 36 Strategy 8 · Mark it up

Subject-specific strategies

Prose fiction

Social sciences

Natural sciences

Humanities

4 Prepare for ACT Science

Stats

Breaking down ACT Science

Science 36 Strategies

Data representation

Research summaries

Conflicting viewpoints

Additional tips

5 Prepare for ACT Writing

Stats

Breaking down ACT Writing

Scoring the ACT essay

ACT Writing score sheet

The essay topic

Writing 36 Strategies

Writing 36 Strategy 1 · Master the five-paragraph essay format

Template for the five-paragraph essay

Writing 36 Strategy 2 · Pace yourself

Writing 36 Strategy 3 · Use vocabulary to your advantage

Writing 36 Strategy 4 · Fill the space

Writing 36 Strategy 5 · Stay active

Writing 36 Strategy 6 · Transition smoothly

Writing 36 Strategy 7 · Don’t get personal

Writing 36 Strategy 8 · Plan, plan, plan

6 Practice a full-length ACT exam

Answer sheets

Section 1 · English

Section 2 · Mathematics

Section 3 · Reading

Section 4 · Science

Section 5 · Writing

7 Review the ACT practice exam

Section 1 · English

Section 2 · Mathematics

Section 3 · Reading

Section 4 · Science

Section 5 · Writing

Guide to scoring the ACT exam

Raw scores

Scaled scores

Composite score

Reminders for exam day