Procrastinator's Guide To The Act 2005

Chapter One: Introduction to the ACT Step one Preview What Is the ACT?What Is the New ACT Writing Test?How Is the ACT Scored?How Many ACT Scores Will You Get?How Do Colleges Use Your ACT Score?Should You Guess on the ACT?Can You Retake the Test?You've probably heard rumors to the effect that the ACT is a tough exam. Well, the rumors are true. In fact, the ACT is probably one of the toughest exams you'll ever take.Should that faze you, given that you have only a few weeks before you take the exam? No. Honestly. For one thing, if you carry out the program outlined in this book, you'll have done more preparation for the ACT than most other people sitting with you in the examination room. And since the test is marked "on a curve," your weeks of preparation will definitely put you at an advantage over your peers.But you've got some work to do between now and then. That's why it's so important that you take the test in the right spirit. Don't be timid in the face of the ACT. Don't let it bully you. You've got to take control of the test. Our mission in this book is to show you exactly how to do that -- in a few short weeks.Here are the three things you'll learn that will enable you to take control of the ACT:You'll Learn the Test FormatThe ACT is very predictable. You'd think the test makers would get bored after a while, but they don't. The same kinds of questions, testing the same skills and concepts, appear every time the ACT is given. The exception to this rule is the new Writing test, which will appear on the 2005 ACT as an optional section. But don't worry: this book includes many useful tips -- including the Kaplan Method for the ACT Essay -- that will help you master this portion of the exam should you decide to take it.Because the test specifications rarely change, you should know in advance what to expect on every section. Just a little familiarity with the directions and common question types can make an enormous difference.You'll Learn Test StrategiesThe ACT isn't a normal exam. Normal exams test mostly your memory. But the ACT tests problem-solving skills as well as memory, and it does so in a standardized test format. That makes the test highly vulnerable to test-smart strategies and techniques.Most students miss a lot of ACT questions for no good reason. They see a tough-looking question, say to themselves, "Uh-oh, I don't remember how to do that," and start to gnaw on their No. 2 pencils.But many ACT questions can be answered without perfect knowledge of the material being tested. Often, all you need to do to succeed is to think strategically and creatively.You'll Learn the Concepts TestedThe ACT is designed to test skills and concepts learned in high school and needed for college. Familiarity with the test, coupled with smart test-taking strategies, will take you only so far. For your best score you need to sharpen the skills and knowledge that the ACT rewards. In other words, sometimes you've just got to eat your spinach.The good news is that most ACT content is pretty basic. You've probably already learned in high school most of what the ACT expects you to know. But you may need help remembering.In short, follow these three principles: Learn the test format Learn test strategies Learn the concepts tested If you do, you'll find yourself in full command of your ACT test taking experience.What Is the ACT?Okay, let's start with the basics. The ACT is a three-hour exam (two hours and 55 minutes, to be precise) taken by high school juniors and seniors for admission to college. Contrary to the myths you may have heard, the ACT is not an IQ test. It's a test of problem-solving skills -- which means that you can improve your performance by preparing for it.All students who take theKaplan Educational Center Staff is the author of 'Procrastinator's Guide To The Act 2005', published 2005 under ISBN 9780743241052 and ISBN 0743241053.