The ACT tests four areas: Math, English, Science and Reading.  The ACT is aligned to the high school curriculum. It sets out to test students on their achievement in high school. Is there a certain body of knowledge they are expected to know? You bet. Is it a timed test requiring them to be ready with that body of knowledge very fresh in their minds? Again, you’re right. Are there tips, strategies, and skill training that improve performance? Ask any of your athletic coaches. It only makes sense to prepare. The message is that an ACT score can be improved with coaching and practice.

Have you ever wondered why some students score well on the PLAN test (sophomore year preliminary ACT) but do not score well or as well on the ACT?  Read on. Refer to the table below.  Find PLAN score of 21 and notice that this equals an 89th percentile ranking.  Continue to the right on this same line and notice that the student who receives a 21 on the ACT has a 56th percentile ranking.  Now go all the way to the lower right hand box.  There you will find a 90th percentile ranking on the ACT, and to the left of this box you see an ACT composite score of 27.  The message is that if a student is to maintain his PLAN percentile ranking, his ACT score must typically increase 5 points, in this case, 6 points.

Be aware of the following regarding your ACT score:

What’s my advice to students and parents? The ACT test, which is aligned to the school curriculum, is a three-hour “final exam” covering years of high school math, English grammar and rhetoric, reading and science reasoning.  Just as it makes sense to prepare for a major school exam, it makes sense to prepare for the ACT.

There is an ‘optional’ essay writing portion of the ACT test.  However, it is hardly optional as so many colleges require or recommend it.  This persuasive essay section is part of my curriculum.

How should students prepare for the ACT?  Preparation should be both organized and efficient, but even with this, good preparation requires time and effort.  Therefore, sign up for a prep class that best fits the student’s other activities, such as extra-curricular activities, work, exams, etc.

The junior year is the ideal year for taking college entrance tests.  That way the student is on his way to concentrate on college and scholarship applications and visitations his senior year.

What distinguishes my preparation classes from others is that in addition to dealing with the academic stubstance of tests, I also deal with the perception of tests.  My students are taught test-taking techniques that help them to be in a focused and relaxed mental state, the best state for peak performance.

Schedule

2010- 2011 ACT   

ACT – Session and Location