ACT Prep: 2020

TEST OVERVIEW, MATH CONTENT REVIEW, & TEST TAKING

STRATEGIES
Goals & Objectives
1. Provide an Overview of the ACT
◦ What does it cover? Where Have I learned it?
◦ What topics are most important?
2. Briefly review some math content that frequently appears on the act
◦ Common concepts that appear
3. Discuss test taking strategies
4. Provide resources to help prepare for the ACT
◦ YouTube Videos
◦ Practice Tests
Frequently Asked Questions About the
ACT
1. What is the Structure?
◦ 4 Tests: English is 75 questions in 45 minutes; Math 60 Questions 60 minutes;
Reading 40 questions 35 minutes; science 40 questions 35 minutes
◦ Math section has 5 possible answers
2. How is it scored?
◦ 1-36 composite score; each subject is graded 1-36 as well; some colleges will use a
“Super-score.”
3. May I take it More than Once?
◦ Yes, and you should.
◦ Studies show that each time a student takes the test their score increase by 1+
points
FAQ - continued
What Materials should I bring?
◦ Admission form, 3 sharpened pencils, a good eraser, identification,
permitted calculator
◦ Ti-83, ti-84, ti-nspire (non-cas)
◦ Double check the batteries
How Often is the test given?
◦ October, December, February, April, June
◦ Tests differ slightly based on the time of year
◦ Special State Tests: Feb./Mar.**
◦ Yours is February 25th
What does my score mean?
18-20: You will be able to go to some colleges – mostly state schools,
branch campus, tech schools, 2-year schools; you will most likely need
remedial classes; highly unlikely to receive scholarship money
◦ Cincinnati State, Gateway Community College, Ohio State-Marion,
Marion Technical College, UC-Clermont, Cuyahoga Community
College
20-22: you will be able to go to most state/public colleges; national
average is 22.1; you will likely need some remediation; scholarships
will be very limited; general ed classes
◦ Wright State, Youngstown State, Portsmouth State, Cleveland State,
etc.
What Does My Score Mean? (cont.)
22-25: you will be able to go to most colleges; slightly above
average; remediation would be limited; may see some chances
for merit based scholarships; may not be able to get in preferred
major
◦ Ohio State, Univ. of Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky University,
Mt. St. Joseph, Thomas More, Kent State, Ohio University, etc.
◦ This is the range where most students fall.
◦ The Benchmark Score is 22.
◦ A score of 22 means you are most likely ready for college
level mathematics.
What does my score mean? Cont.
25-27: almost all colleges would accept you; very doubtful
remediation would be needed; scholarships will exist; most likely
can get your preferred major
◦ Miami (OH), Xavier, Penn State, Indiana
◦ The easiest jump on the ACT is to go from a 24 to a 27+. You
only need to answer 2 more questions correctly.
27-30: colleges will accept you; scholarships will be offered; will
get your preferred major; may be able to test out of some
subjects
◦ Univ. of Notre Dame, John Carrol, Dayton
What Does My Score Mean? (cont.)
30+: colleges want you!; scholarships will
come your way; able to get in to extremely
difficult majors; will have the ability to
take honors level classes
◦Duke, Univ. of Virginia, Baylor, Stanford,
Yale, Columbia, etc.
Benchmark scoring
The Ohio Benchmark score is a 22.
◦ If you score a 22 or better, you will be able to take a credit
bearing math class at the college level
◦ If you score below a 22, you will (most likely) need to take a
remedial math class before taking a college-level math
course
◦ AHS has roughly 54% of students meeting benchmark.
◦ You were automatically enrolled in the act Schoology course
if you were identified as at-risk for not meeting benchmark.
Ability tested
The mathematics test evaluates your ability to solve
mathematical problems by using reasoning, problem-solving,
insight, logic, and application of basic and advanced skills
learned in high school.
Simply put, the ACT tries to determine if you have learned the
topics you should have studied in high school.
On the other hand, the SAT is more of a logic and IQ test. It
does not cover specific topics. Rather, it tests your ability to
reason and problem solve quickly.
ACT vs. SAT
ACT is knowledge based.
◦ Accepted by most state skills.
◦ Is the typical test used to determine admission at most
schools.
◦ Preferred test in the state of Ohio
SAT is logic based.
◦ Used at “higher end” schools
◦ May be required to take an SAT II test for some majors.
◦ Used more at colleges on the coasts (East and West)
Basic skills needed
The basic skills needed to do well on this test include high
school arithmetic, elementary and intermediate algebra,
coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry,
along with some logical insight into problem-solving
situations.
The three skill levels covered include:
◦Using basic skills, applying math skills to different
situations, and analyzing when and why operations will
and will not yield a solution
Content breakdown
Content/Skills Number of Items Percentages

Pre-Algebra and 24 40%

Elementary Algebra
Intermediate Algebra 18 30%
and Coordinate
Geometry
Plane Geometry 14 23%
Trigonometry 4 7%
TOTAL 60 100%
Where have you Seen this material?
Math I 35%
Math II 45%
Math III 20%
Timing
The most common complaint from students about the math portion of the
act is the lack of time:
◦ You need to work at 1-minute per question
◦ The questions get progressively harder as the test goes on
◦ Questions 1-20 will be the easies, spend 20-30 seconds per question
◦ Questions 21-40 will be average in difficulty, spend 30sec-1min per
question
◦ Questions 41-60 will be the most difficult, spend 1min-2min per
question

◦ Don’t spend too much time on any one particular question

Work backwards
The ACT is a multiple choice test
Look at the possible solutions
◦This will allow you to strategically guess
as needed
◦Put numbers in place to letter to see
which solutions make sense
Know your triangles
Trigonometry is one of the common areas where students have
difficulty
Remember your rules for 30-60-90 triangles and 45-45-90 triangles.
◦ You can solve problems other ways, but knowing things like this
help with time management.
Also remember things like the Pythagorean theorem
Right triangles will appear much more often than non-right
triangles
◦ But remember your Law of Sines and Law of Cosines
Common mathematical knowledge
Distribute packet/document (will be ◦Polygons
emailed)
◦ Number sets ◦Circles
◦ Common formulas for ◦Polynomial properties
area/volume/etc.
◦ Measurements ◦Laws of exponents
◦ English vs. metric ◦Quadratics
◦ Words and expressions
◦ Geometric terms ◦Trig. Functions & identities
◦ Angles ◦Logarithms
◦ Lines
◦PDF Document
Practice problem (Easy)
This type of problem should take you less
than 30 seconds.
EX: #2 The monthly fees for single rooms at 5
colleges are $370, $310, $380, $340, and $310
respectively. What is the mean of these
monthly fees?
ANSWER #2
𝟑𝟕𝟎+𝟑𝟏𝟎+𝟑𝟖𝟎+𝟑𝟒𝟎+𝟑𝟏𝟎
=
𝟓
𝟏𝟕𝟏𝟎
= $𝟑𝟒𝟐
𝟓
Practice Problem (Easy)
This problem should take less
than 30 seconds.
𝟑
#4 Given 𝒇 = 𝒄𝒅 , 𝒇 = 𝟒𝟓𝟎,
𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅 = 𝟏𝟎, what is c?
ANSWER #4
Use substitution.
3
450 = 𝑐(10) →
450 = 1000𝑐 → .45 = 𝑐
Practice Problem (average)
This problem should take about
1 minute.
EX: #29 What is the product of
the complex numbers
−𝟑𝒊 + 𝟒 𝒂𝒏𝒅 (𝟑𝒊 + 𝟒)?
ANSWER
Normally, you would do this with binomial expansion
(FOIL)
However, this problem is much easier using the graphing
calculator.
Notice how quickly and easily this can be done using
technology.
These are the types of problems where we need to be able
to “Steal” time for the more difficult problems later on the
test.
Practice Problem (average)
This problem should take about 1 minute.
EX: #23 Which of the following expressions is
equivalent to
𝟏 𝟐
◦ 𝒚 𝟔𝒙 + 𝟐𝒚 + 𝟏𝟐𝒙 − 𝟐𝒚 ?
𝟐
◦We are going to do this without the multiple
choice options present
Answer #23
1 2 2
𝑦 18𝑥 = 9𝑥𝑦
2
There is a way to confirm this
answer on the graphing
calculator.
Practice problem (difficult)
This problem should take between 1-
2 minutes
𝟏
EX: #42 Given 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙 − and
𝒙
𝟏 𝟏
𝒈 𝒙 = , what is 𝒇 𝒈 ?
𝒙 𝟐
Answer #42
Begin by substituting
𝟏 𝟏 𝟐
𝒈 =𝟏 =𝟏∙ =𝟐
𝟐 𝟐 𝟏
𝟏 𝟒 𝟏 𝟑
𝒇 𝟐 =𝟐− = − =
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
Again, let’s examine how we can do this quicker
on the calculator.
Practice Problem (Difficult)
This problem should take
between 1-2 minutes.
𝟒 𝟐
EX: #48 + =?
𝟐 𝟑
Answer #48
We will need to find a common
denominator.
𝟒 𝟑 𝟐 𝟐 𝟒 𝟑+𝟐 𝟐
+ =
𝟐 𝟑 𝟑 𝟐 𝟔
On a multiple choice test, this could be the
answer. However, you may need to
rationalize in certain circumstances.
Practice Problem (Difficult)
#60: The sides of an acute triangle measure 14cm, 18cm, and 20cm, respectively.
Which of the following equations when solved for 𝜽, gives the measure of the
smallest angle of the triangle? Note: for any triangle with sides of length
𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝑨) 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝑩)
𝒂, 𝒃, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄 that are opposite angles a, b, and c, respectively, = =
𝒂 𝒃
𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝑪)
𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝟐 = 𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐 − 𝟐𝒂𝒃 𝐜𝐨𝐬(𝑪).
𝒄
𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝜽) 𝟏
◦ F. =
𝟏𝟒 𝟏𝟖
𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝜽) 𝟏
◦ G. =
𝟏𝟒 𝟐𝟎
𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝜽) 𝟏
◦ H. =
𝟐𝟎 𝟏𝟒
◦ J. 𝟏𝟒𝟐 = 𝟏𝟖𝟐
+ 𝟐𝟎𝟐 − 𝟐 𝟏𝟖 𝟐𝟎 𝐜𝐨𝐬(𝜽)
◦ K. 𝟐𝟎𝟐 = 𝟏𝟒𝟐 + 𝟏𝟖𝟐 − 𝟐 𝟏𝟒 𝟏𝟖 𝐜𝐨𝐬(𝜽)
Answer #60
We will do this
problem on the
whiteboard
Act calculator policy
TI-81, 82, 83, and 84 are all acceptable
You may not use a ti-89, ti-92, or ti-
nspire cas
Using A CALCULATOR CAN SAVE YOU
MUCH NEEDED TIME
ACT MATH STRATEGIES
ANSWER THE EASIEST QUESTIONS FIRST
◦ AN EASY QUESTION IS WORTH JUST AS MANY POINTS AS A HARD
QUESTION. FOCUS ON MASTERING THE FIRST 40 QUESTIONS OF THE
TEST. IF YOU HAVE TIME, THEN BEGIN ATTACKING THE LAST SERIES OF
QUESTIONS.
GET AS MANY QUESTIONS CORRECT AS POSSIBLE WITH AS FEW ERRORS
AS POSSIBLE.
◦ THIS MAY SEEM OBVIOUS. To approximate the number of questions
you’ll need to get correct to get the score you want, multiply it by 5/3.
◦ For example, if I want to earn a 30 on the math act, I will need to
answer (30)(5/3)=50 questions correctly.
Act math strategies (cont.)
Use the knowledge of the six topics (pre-algebra, elementary
algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane
geometry, trigonometry) to your advantage.
◦ If you don’t know much about trigonometry, don’t worry about
it. Spend your time mastering the algebra topics that you do
know as there will only be 4 trig questions on the test.
Read the question twice before looking at the answers.
◦ Make sure you are answering the proper question.
◦ If it asks for a radius, don’t give the diameter.
Math Strategies (cont.)
If you get stuck on a question, use the “plug and chug”
technique.
◦This is the “test” feature on the calculator that we
discussed earlier.
◦Calculator tips will be presented next.
Dumb it down
◦If too many variables in the question are confusing
you, use numbers in place of letters.
Math strategies (cont.)
If you don’t know an answer and are running out of time,
guess!
◦ There is no penalty for guessing on the act. Never leave a
question blank.
Geometry questions: always draw a picture.
Don’t read the instructions.
◦ You should already know the instructions ahead of time,
because you’re taking this workshop! Don’t waste your time
reading the directions.
Youtube act prep lessons
ACT Math Prep Strategies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9zCjGHkwW
M
21 concepts to boost your math act score
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwiuXFIY2i4
ACT Math strategies and practice questions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5IAw4yZL8w
Youtube lessons (cont.)
ACT Calculator Strategies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJpcWBtsU1Y
ACT Math Practice Problems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01tp_yW7c60
Must Know Math Facts for the ACT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vixl6Mp2APM
YouTube Lesson (cont.)
ACT Math Practice Test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8QZbVy6N90
Powerful ACT Math Strategies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIql9enmbJU
ACT Math Explanations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_YW9yh-oJw
Youtube Lessons (cont.)
2014-15 ACT Math Test Explained
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wadH2N
SLodY
ACT Math Blitz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRnNimP
Z2YY
Available practice tests (online & PDF)
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-
preparation/math-practice-test-questions.html?page=0&chapter=0
https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/ACT_Test_2015-16.pdf
https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/360031/file-2226679255-
pdf/Documents/ACT_Test_2014-15.pdf?t=1442624992860
https://www.test-guide.com/act/free-act-practice-test/act-math-practice-
test-pool-1.html
http://www.solpass.org/released-online/algebra2-
2010/framepage.php?section=study-0
https://cuacs8.mck.ncsu.edu/mathsampleitems/main.html
With the time remaining, let’s work
some practice problems! (easy)
On a particular road map, ½ inch represents 18 miles. About
how many miles apart are 2 towns that are 2.5 inches apart?
If 𝒇 𝒙 = (𝟑𝒙 + 𝟕)𝟐 , then 𝒇 𝟏 =?
The first term is 1 in the geometric sequence 1, -3, 9, -27,…
What is the seventh term of the geometric sequence?
The length of a rectangle with area 54 square centimeters is 9
centimeters. What is the perimeter of the rectangle in
centimeters?
More practice (average)
If 𝒂, 𝒃, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄 are positive integers such that 𝒂𝒃 = 𝒙
and 𝒄𝒃 = 𝒚, then 𝒙𝒚 =?
What is the perimeter of an isosceles right triangle
whose hypotenuse is 𝟖 𝟐 inches long?
What fraction lies exactly halfway between 2/3 and ¾?
What is the difference between the mean and the
median of the set {3, 8, 10, 15}?
More Practice (Difficult)
𝟐 𝟔 𝒙 𝟐𝟕
Given that 𝒂 = for some real number 𝒂, what
𝟏 𝟒 𝒚 𝒛
is 𝒙 + 𝒛?
A formula for the surface area (a) of a rectangular solid is
A=2LW+2LH+2WH. By doubling each of the dimensions (l, w,
and h), the surface area will be multiplied by what factor?
Three consecutive odd numbers add up to 15 more than twice
the smallest. What is the sum of the three numbers?
Things You Will Receive in Email
A copy of this PPT.
A study guide with two practice tests.
An Improving ACT Scores Guide
A list of ACT on-line practice sites.
A weekly calendar for preparing for the ACT.
Thank you for attending!
Hopefully, you gained some information that will help you on the
upcoming act.
This PPT and all other important documents will be sent to your
Schoology account and/or email if you signed-in.
◦ Be sure to sign the paper as some of your teachers are offering
extra credit!
Next week’s session will focus on using the graphing calculator to
improve your math act score.
◦ Tell your classmates and we hope to see you again next week.