Transcript Goal Score Approach… - Milan C-2

DESCRIPTION OF THE ACT TEST
• There will always be 60 questions to be completed
in 60 minutes.
• Questions address content through pre-calculus
PACING STRATEGIES
• To get your best score, you must be realistic about
your goal.
• The questions get harder as you go.
• Skipping problems is NOT a good strategy for most
students on the math test.
HAVE A GOAL IN MIND
Goal Score
Approach…
20-24
Concentrate on 1-30
Be picky on 31-50
Bubble and hunt on 51-60 or at the 5 min
warning
25-29
Concentrate on 1-40
Be picky on 41-50
Bubble and hunt on 51-60 or at the 5 min
warning
30-33
Concentrate on 1-50
Be picky on 51-60
Get ahead at a minute per question
GENERAL STRATEGIES
• Write in the test book in the allotted space.
• Use “good technique” on every question.
• If a picture is provided, use it!
• Make sure you answer the question asked.
• If you are going to check answers, do it as you go.
CALCULATORS ON THE ACT
• The best calculator for the ACT is the one you know how to
use (provided it has a screen and a parenthesis key.)
• There is an advantage to using a graphing calculator if you
are comfortable and are able to practice with it.
• The TI-84 is a great ACT calculator. Some calculators are
prohibited. Among the prohibited are any TI-89 or TI-92
versions as well as the TI-Nspire CAS version.
• For a the complete calculator policy, see
http://www.actstudent.org/faq/calculator.html
MATH CONTENT
Pre-Algebra 14
questions
23%
Patterns
Proportions
Percents
LCD
Perimeter
Area
Averages
Ordering fractions
Evaluating expressions
MATH CONTENT
Elementary
Algebra
17%
10 questions
Single variable equations and inequalities
Applications such as those involving money
Rules for exponents
Basic probability
Addition of polynomials
Absolute value
Read and use information from a table
Y = mx + b
Factoring and foiling
Simplify expressions
Fundamental counting principle
Evaluate functions
Solve formulas for a given variable
Systems of equations
MATH CONTENT
Intermediate Algebra 9
questions
15%
Word problems involving multiple
variables
Radicals
Quadratic functions; parabolas
Substitution in functions
Solving equations by factoring
Solving fractional equations
Imaginary numbers
logarithms
MATH CONTENT
Coordinate 9
Slopes of lines
Geometry questions Midpoint
Equation of circle
15%
Equation of parabola
Equation of ellipse
MATH CONTENT
Plane
Geometry
23%
14
questions
Angles of triangle add to 180
Types of angles
Isosceles triangle
Ratios and similar figures
Pythagorean theorem
Central angles
Inscribed angles
Vertical angles
Alternate interior angles
Alternate exterior angles
Corresponding angles
Scale factor
Reflection, rotation, translation
30-60-90 theorem
45-45-90 theorem
Sum of angles of polygon
MATH CONTENT
Trigonometry 4 questions
7%
sohcahtoa
sin2 x + cos2 x = 1
Law of sines
Law of cosines
3 WAYS TO APPROACH QUESTIONS
• Use mathematics just like in your
math class (is your answer
reasonable)
• Use multiple choice strategies
• Guessing
1. USE MATHEMATICS JUST LIKE IN
YOUR MATH CLASS.
2. USE MULTIPLE CHOICE STRATEGIES
• Check the choices (picking out the answer is sometimes
easier than coming up with it on your own)
3. GUESS
• Why guess?
• No penalty for wrong answers
• Guessing is better than wasting time on questions about
which you have no clue
NOW FOR SOME PRACTICE…