Welcome to ACT Brain Boot Camp 9:30 am - 9:45 am Basics (in every - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Welcome to ACT Brain Boot Camp

9:30 am - 9:45 am Basics (in every room) 9:45 am - 10:15 am Breakout Session #1 ACT Math: DeLeon B109 ACT Science: Wright & Moreno B216 ACT Reading: Campbell MPR ACT English: Hughes & Lee B111 10:20 am - 10:50 am Breakout Session #2 ACT Math: DeLeon B109 ACT Science: Wright & Moreno B216 ACT Reading: Campbell MPR ACT English: Hughes & Lee B111 10:55 am - 11:25 am Breakout Session #3 ACT Math: DeLeon B109 ACT Science: Wright & Moreno B216 ACT Reading: Campbell MPR ACT English: Hughes & Lee B111 11:30 am - 12 pm Breakout Session #4 ACT Math: DeLeon B109 ACT Science: Wright & Moreno B216 ACT Reading: Campbell MPR ACT English: Hughes & Lee B111 12 pm - 12:45 pm questions, clean up, and lunch

Welcome to ACT Brain Boot Camp Nolan Ryan Junior High (Group 2)

12:25- 12:50 1:00 pm - 1:30pm Lunch Basics 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm Session #1 - ACT Reading: Campbell 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Session #2 ACT Math: DeLeon 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Session #3 ACT English: Hughes & Lee 3::00 pm - 3:30 pm Session #4 ACT Science: Wright & Moreno

9:00 am - 9:30am Basics 9:30 am - 10:00 am Session #1 - ACT Reading: Campbell 10:00 am - 10:30 pm Session #2 ACT Math: DeLeon 10:30 pm - 11:00 pm Session #3 ACT English: Hughes & Lee 11:00 pm - 11:30 pm Session #4 ACT Science: Wright & Moreno

Welcome to ACT Brain Boot Camp Nolan Ryan Junior High (Group 1)

The Basics Day of the Test

CHECKLIST FOR TEST DAY:

• Admission Ticket (should receive in the mail 2 to 3 weeks

before your test date)

• No. 2 Pencils and Erasers
• Approved Calculator and batteries (TI 84 or TI 84+)
• ID Form
• wrist watch

Optional:

• snacks
• bottled water

FAQs:

Are the student's ACT scores permanently recorded?

ACT scores are kept on file permanently while SAT scores are not. If you wish for SAT to keep your scores on file permanently, you may request this from the testing agency. Both ACT and SAT scores will never be shared with colleges unless the student requests this. Duke TIP will keep the scores indefinitely for their records. Duke TIP will never share scores with anyone.

What Exactly is On the ACT?

• 3 hours and 25 minutes - total
• English=70 questions in 45 minutes
• Math= 60 questions in 60 minutes
• Critical Reading= 40 questions in 35

minutes

• Science= 40 questions in 35 minutes

What is a “Good Score” on the ACT?

• Each section is on a scale of 1 to 36
• Perfect combined score of an avg of 36
• Harvard: 32
• UT: 28
• A&M: 30
• UH: 18 English, 21 Reading, 22 Mathematics and 24 Science
• Scores can typically be found on the college or

universities websites

• You will get your raw score and a percentile

ranking score

Getting in Gear

• 1. Set A Score Goal
• 2. Block Out Time in Your Schedule
• 3. Study with Friends
• 4. Treat It Like the Real Thing

How to Practice

• “ACT Practice Booklet”
• Website: ACT Question of the Day http://www.

actstudent.org/testprep/ – There’s an app for that – Follow them on twitter

At Home Study Plan

Mondays: Math Tuesdays: English Wednesdays: Critical Reading Thursdays: Science Friday: Look at questions or areas that troubled you over the week Weekends: Catch up on missed days

Reading Test Dichotomous Key Challenge

• For the challenge, you will be use the Reading

Section (p. 32-39) in your packet.

• Once you have worked your way through the

dichotomous key, write down your group’s response on an index card.

ACT Reading Section

O 35 minute section O 40 questions O 4 passages w/ 10 questions

Types of Questions Activity

watch your time 8/9 minutes per passage 35 s/?

answer in this order 1st: vocabulary 2nd: line specific 3rd: specific detail 4th: inferred or implied 5th: main idea or primary purpose

Know the directions Reading Rules

do NOT read the passage first 1. Read & underline relevant information in ?’s 2. Scan the for what ?’s are asking 3. Answer question without looking at answer choices

Skipping Questions

Don’t think you will get it right Might get it right if you have time Answered, but not sure if correct

Think about it this way…

IMAGINE TWO CHILDREN PLAYING TAG IN A DEEP, DARK forest. Who’s gonna win? A speed demon from the big city who doesn’t know his way around and keeps tripping and falling? Or a slower-footed tyke who grew up in the forest and knows every root, twist, and cranny of the forest? Here’s the point: Knowing the landscape can be very helpful. If the ACT’s the forest, you’ll have to know the nooks and crannies

• f the test.

Source: http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/newsat/chapter6.rhtml

What’s on the test?

1 A Passage 1 is a Prose Fiction excerpt. Go to 2 1 B Passage 1 is a Social Science excerpt. Go to 3 2A Passage 2 is a Social Science excerpt. Go to 4 2B Passage 2 is a Humanities excerpt. Go to 5 5A Passage 4 is a Science excerpt. College Ready 5B Passage 4 is about “The Jaws That Jump . ” Duke TIP

Format of the Test

3A The answer choices for questions are A, B, C, D Go to 6 3B The answer choices for questions are F, G, H, J Go to 7 4A Passage 2 has you compare two passages (A & B) Go to 8 4B Passage 3 has you compare two passages (A & B) Go to 9

Format of the Test

6A Each passage has 10 questions. ACT 6B Each passage has 15 questions. SAT 7A You have 40 minutes to work on the Reading section. Use strategies! 7B You have 45 minutes to work on the Reading section. Know the directions! 8A Vocabulary words are bolded in the passage. Vocabulary 8B Vocabulary words are italicized in the passage. Yea, right! 9A The little numbers in the passage indicate paragraphs. Nope 9B The little numbers in the passage indicate the line numbers. Y’all will do awesome!

Strategy 1: Skim ?’s First

?’s, not answers circle anything that is an answer look for overall meaning

Strategy 2: What about?

2 to 6 seconds Jot down notes and paraphrases

Strategy 3: Main idea

Few sentences Facts to support

Strategy 4

Underline main sentence

• f each paragraph

Draw your attention to the main idea of each

Strategy

Cover up the answer choices & think about the answer Politically correct answers

ACT- (1) 60 minute section

• Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra (24 questions)
• Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry (18

questions)

• Plane Geometry (14 questions)
• Trigonometry (4 questions)

Know your directions!

• Each section will begin by showing where

you should be on your answer sheet.

• The directions will be the same in practice

as they are on the test. Don’t take the time to read directions.

Math Section

Calculators

• Know how to use your calculator.
• Know your arithmetic.
• Know your squares.
• Calculators and Fractions don’t mix well.
• TI-84 is allowed on both SAT and ACT
• TI-89 and up are not allowed.

Word Problems

How to change confusing words into easy to understand numbers and symbols.

Rule 1: Of usually means multiply

Ex: ½ of y Means: ½ x y

• f =

Rule 2: Exceeds by or is greater than means subtract(or add)

Example: X exceeds y by 7 Means: x - y = 7 or y + 7 = X

Exceeds =

• r

Rule 3: Percent (%) usually goes with of.

Percent means per (of) hundred

Example: 25% of y

Means: 25 of 100 of y

• r 25/100 of y

= fraction

Rule 4: But wait, there’s more. Percent can be made trickier with the word more. Example: Sue has 25% more apples than John Means: Sue has the same as John plus 25%

more = same +

Rule 5: Percent increase or decrease means subtract or add. Example: Jim invests $50. It increases 10%. Means: $50 + (10% of $50) = investment increase = decrease =

Rule 6: Ratio A ratio is a comparison. Example: The ratio of y to x is 5 Means: y/x = 5; y is being compared to x

Rule 7: Chance or probability is a type

• f ratio.

Chance or probability means

number of times the particular thing could happen number of times any of the things could happen

ACT Practice Problems

Page 24 Question 2 Page 25 Question 10

ACT Practice Problems

Page 26 Question 22 Page 26 Question 25

ACT Practice Problem

Question 51 Page 30

ACT English

How to tackle:

• 1. Read passage as if it were a regular piece of

writing

• 2. Correct or circle mistakes before looking at

choices

• 3. “No change” is often the answer
• 4. If you are not sure which concept is being

tested, look at the answer choices for a clue

• 5. Skip and comeback

ACT English

Knowing your grammar and revision rules are very important in this section! Let’s practice!

ACT Science Reasoning

• 40 Questions in 35 minutes
• Contains 7 reading passages.
• Each passage is equal in length and

difficulty.

• You should avg. about 5 minutes per
• passage. Does not test Science

knowledge.

• Tests ability to read and interpret

information displayed in tables, graphs, and charts.

Primary Question Types

• 1. Reading and interpreting information from

graphs and tables.

• 2. Making conclusions and predicting results.
• 3. Comparing opposing views or comparing

different experiments.

Want to Practice Logical Reasoning Skills?

http://www.testprepreview.com/

Table Trends Exercise

Ways to Reason

Problem/Situation: You have to get from point A to Point B as fast as you possibly can. You are offered two means of transportation that start from the same position. Option A-Jet plane that can transport you at 700mph. Option B- Ferrari that can transport you at speeds close to 200mph. What would be the best way to get from Point A to Point B?

• Why did you choose your answer?
• What factors might be considered in order to

determine the correct answer?

• What would some factors be that might

cause you to change your initial answer?

• What did you learn from this?

Table Trends

Directions: Identify the trends in the tables

• below. Place arrows or symbols by each

column header to represent the trend.

increasing decreasing constant

Taking Notes Practice

Passage Notes As the temperature increased, the pressure increased.

T ↑ = P ↑

Know Your Directions

Don’t waste time reading directions. Directions: There are several passages in this

• test. Each passage is followed by several
• questions. After reading a passage, choose the

best answer to each question and fill in the corresponding oval on your answer document. You may refer to the passages as often as

• necessary. You are NOT permitted to use a

calculator.

Science Testing Strategies

• Stay Focused.
• Don’t read the directions.
• Preview the associated graphs and tables.
• Identify critical elements in passages.

(Underline or Circle, make notes)

• Don’t Waste Time on Confusing or Long

Words.

• Don’t take too much time on any question.
• Eliminate the wrong answers first.
• The least wrong answer will be correct.

Time to Practice!

Turn to Section 4 of your practice test Practice with Passage V. Strategy HINTS:

• 1. Remember 5 minutes to read the

passage.

• 2. Look for trends in graphs, tables, and

charts.

• 3. Take Notes while reading (Underline,

circle, make notes)

Science

• The Science Reasoning section of the ACT is

composed 3 data representation passages, 3 research summary passages, and 1 conflicting viewpoints passage.

• Good news! This section does not test your

knowledge of science, but your understanding of data. p 275

The Passages

p 279

• Data Representation: contain tables, graphs, or illustrations
• Research Summaries: contain data collected from several

experiments

• Conflicting Viewpoints: present two to three theories to

explain a scientific observation

Practice Test p.40-51

Use the information given and a pen, label each passage in your test with the following: DR: Data Representation RS: Research Summaries CV: Conflicting Viewpoints Raise your hand when you are finished.

Questions

There are four basic types of questions that will be asked on during the Data Representation and Research Summaries passages:

• 1. Read the chart: Similar to the specific detail questions in the

Reading test, these questions ask you to identify

• 2. Use the Chart: These questions will ask you to use the data

given in the chart to infer what might happen if a variable is

• changed. The answer might not be directly stated in the

data.

Questions Continued

• 3. Handle Graphs: You will need to manipulate data from the

charts into words or transform the words into numbers.

• 4. Take the Next Step: These questions will ask you to take a

look at the research and experiment data and predict what will happen next to achieve a particular goal. In the Conflicting Viewpoints section, the questions are broken down into three groups: detail, inferences, and comparison

Practice Test p.44-45

Using passage three on your practice test, determine which type of question (1, 2, 3, or 4) is being asked and highlight the keywords you used.

• 1. Read the Chart
• 2. Use the Chart
• 3. Handle Graphs
• 4. Take the Next Step

Tips

You will have 35 minutes to read seven passages and complete 40 questions.

• That breaks down to just 5 minutes per

passage.

• Answer the easiest questions first, circle the

number to the harder questions, and come back if you have time.

• Within a passage, the easiest questions are

first, followed by moderate, and then difficult.

Tips

Use these four steps while tackling the Science Reasoning section:

• 1. Read the question and restate it if necessary
• 2. Refer back to the passage
• 3. Formulate your answer without looking at the

choices

• 4. Match your answer to the choices given

SAT Writing- The Essay!!!!

Tab page 267 in book. How do I tackle the essay? What is the most important element? The thesis!

SAT Writing- The Essay!!!!

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below. Even scientists know that absolute objectivity has yet to be attained. It's the same for absolute truth. But, as many newspaper reporters have observed, the idea of objectivity as a guiding principle is too valuable to be abandoned. Without it, the pursuit of knowledge is hopelessly lost. Adapted from "Focusing Our Values," Nieman Reports Assignment: Are people better at making observations, discoveries, and decisions if they remain neutral and impartial? Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

The Thesis

I think… I believe… I think that if people are to make rational just decisions, they must remain neutral. If people are to make rational just decisions they must remain neutral.

The Thesis

Practice on your own:

❏ Focus on assignment question ❏ Do not have to read paragraph above the assignment ❏ Do not have to choose the side given in the paragrapgh above the assignemt ❏ Use words from the assignment ❏ Starting with “I think” helps you get going

SAT Essay Evaluation

• It is evaluated as a rough draft.
• Write neatly.
• Thesis in 1st and last paragraphs
• Give 2-3 supporting examples
• Must be well-organized, have a variety of

sentence structure, have appropriate vocabulary, grammar and spelling.

SAT Essay Evaluation

Let’s practice evaluating!

• Skim the two essays
• Go back and to each and complete the

following stems:

○ I noticed… ○ I liked/disliked… because...

Be ready to discuss: Which one do you think is a 2 and which one do you think is a 4 and Why?

Scores on SAT are 1-6. 6 being the best!

SAT Writing - Multiple Choice

Knowing your grammar and revision rules are very important in this section! Let’s practice!

SAT Writing - Multiple Choice

Tab page 242 in book Usage Questions: The children would giggled as they smeared A B C applesauce on each other. No error D E

SAT Writing - Multiple Choice

How to tackle Usage Questions:

• 1. read sentence
• 2. see error- mark it on bubble sheet
• 3. don't see error-look again
• 4. still do not see error- mark “E”
• 5. If time at send- check all “Es”

Lets practice! Go to page 56 in your packet

SAT Writing - Multiple Choice

How to tackle Usage Questions:

• 1. read sentence
• 2. see error- mark it on bubble sheet
• 3. don't see error-look again
• 4. still do not see error- mark “E”
• 5. If time at send- check all “Es”

Lets practice! Go to page 56 in your packet

SAT Writing - Multiple Choice

Sentence Correction:

The doctor warned the students that it are a myth that one cannot get the swine flu 24 hours after taking the SAT.

• A. it are a myth that one cannot ( same as original)
• B. it are a myth, that one cannot
• C. it is a myth that one cannot
• D. it is a myth which one cannot
• E. its myths are that one cannot

SAT Writing - Multiple Choice

How to tackle:

• 1. read sentence
• 2. start with answer choice “E”
• 3. check even if you think it is correct
• 4. choose “A” if no mistake

Let’s Practice! Go to page 54. With a partner, read the sentence aloud. Decide together what the answer is.

SAT Writing - Multiple Choice

How to tackle REVISION:

• 1. read passage quickly to get the main idea
• 2. start with answer choice “E”
• 3. look back in the passage as needed

Let’s Practice! Go to page 58.

Writing - Multiple Choice

How to tackle:

• 1. read sentence
• 2. start with answer choice “E”
• 3. check even if you think it is correct
• 4. choose “A” if no mistake

Let’s Practice! Go to page 54. With a partner, read the sentence aloud. Decide together what the answer is.