Reading
The ACT Reading Section involves a dual challenge of reading quickly, but also understanding enough from the passage to answer the questions in a timely manner. Students must read each passage in 2-3 minutes and then complete a set of 10 questions in only 6-7 minutes. The Reading Test now includes a two passage section, requiring students to analyze a topic from two different authors.
Mathematics
The ACT Mathematics Section covers far more topics than the SAT math section. While there are frequently presented question types (percent, ratio, SOHCAHTOA, etc…), most students require a comprehensive review of Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. To give students an extra edge, I also cover number theory and matrices. For many students, the challenge of this section lies in the speed at which they must progress through the questions. I work closely with students on time budgeting issues on this section. The second challenge students face involves being able to know which method to use for which question type. Recognition strategy is essential for the ACT math. I address this by giving students mixed review starting in the third week of preparation.
English
The ACT English Section has two major question types, usage mechanics and rhetorical skills.
Usage Mechanics
- Verb tense
- Subject verb agreement
- Comma Rules
- Separation of two full sentences
- Parts of speech-adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, etc…
- Possessives & contractions
Rhetorical Skills
- Transition words
- Transition sentences
- Sentence order
- Sentence insertion
- Choosing the right conclusion
Science
The ACT Science Section requires no prior knowledge of biology, chemistry, or physics. Rather, it involves quickly digesting pieces of evidence and knowing what conclusions to draw. Each Science Test has a total of seven different passages. The most difficult passage requires students to analyze the points of view from two scientists. Other passages require analysis of charts and graphs from scientific experiments. These data driven passages require students to quickly skim results and answer multiple choice questions.
ACT Essay
The ACT Essay changed in 2016 The new essay requires students to analyze multiple points of view about a single issue. Stay tuned for more info about the new ACT essay.