Test Preparation Services (TPS)
Information on taking the ACT exam in Ottawa and the path for finding a tutor or self-studying in Ottawa.
Ottawa
Ontario |
For tutoring phone 613-447-1662 or email at [email protected]
TPS - Understanding the ACT Exam
The ACT exam is a standardized assessment for high school achievements and college admissions. It is required by many colleges/universities in the United States.
The purpose of this page is to help you understand the ACT, find a tutor, answer frequently asked questions, and offer helpful tips/tricks for studying. We will also supply you with a number of links to informational sites on the ACT.
Our aim is to provide you with a start on tackling the ACT exam. Use this as a guide to understand the test and the process of studying/taking it.
The purpose of this page is to help you understand the ACT, find a tutor, answer frequently asked questions, and offer helpful tips/tricks for studying. We will also supply you with a number of links to informational sites on the ACT.
Our aim is to provide you with a start on tackling the ACT exam. Use this as a guide to understand the test and the process of studying/taking it.
What is ACT and What is it For?
The ACT is written by a nonprofit organization (formerly known as American College Testing). It is a sit-down pencil and paper test usually taken on Saturday mornings.
The ACT tests your current knowledge and evaluates your academic skills. Your results are used by college admission boards to help you to determine career options for your future. It is described as “a curriculum- and standards – based educational and career planning tool that assesses students’ academic readiness for college,” by the makers of the test themselves.
The required section of the ACT is composed of four multiple choice tests: (in this order) English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. It also includes one 40 minute Writing essay taken after the Science test.
The ACT tests your current knowledge and evaluates your academic skills. Your results are used by college admission boards to help you to determine career options for your future. It is described as “a curriculum- and standards – based educational and career planning tool that assesses students’ academic readiness for college,” by the makers of the test themselves.
The required section of the ACT is composed of four multiple choice tests: (in this order) English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. It also includes one 40 minute Writing essay taken after the Science test.
What is the Format of the ACT?
Section 1 (English):
45 minutes — 75 questions
The English section tests your language usage/mechanics and rhetorical skills in English. The left side of the page includes five passages with various words, phrases, and sentences underlined. On the right side of the page you are asked if the underline portions is written correctly or wrongly. There are also three options that you choose from to correct the underlined portions.
Section 2 (Math):
60 minutes — 60 questions
The Math section is a standard multiple choice test that assesses all math you have learned in public schooling. It covers mainly algebra, geometry, and trigonometry amongst others. There are five answer choices instead of four for each question, and calculators that fit the requirements are permitted.
Section 3 (Reading):
35 minutes — 40 questions
The Reading section consists of four 800 word reading passages. Its passage topics are fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science. There are 10 composition questions at the end of each passage.
Section 4 (Science):
35 minutes — 40 questions
The Science section is made of six passages preceding five to seven questions each passage. There are three different formats to each passage: Research summary, data representation, and conflicting viewpoints. Specific scientific knowledge (such as formulas) is not necessary in this test. Instead, you are supposed to analyze and interpret the scientific information presented to you in the three formats listed above and evaluate them in the form of multiple choice answers.
Section 4 (Optional Writing):
30 minutes
The Writing section is an optional test in which you must write one essay. If you wish to take the writing test, you will sit the ACT Plus Writing test instead of the standard ACT test. Just because this test is not mandatory does not mean that it is less important than the other tests. Knowledge of your academic writing skills is essential and some colleges require a writing score. You would have to retake the whole ACT again if you didn’t sit the writing test the first time.
You will be given a prompt on a broad social issue and three different perspectives on the issue. You will have to write an essay presenting your position on the prompt and how they relate to the three perspectives. No specific essay structure is required
45 minutes — 75 questions
The English section tests your language usage/mechanics and rhetorical skills in English. The left side of the page includes five passages with various words, phrases, and sentences underlined. On the right side of the page you are asked if the underline portions is written correctly or wrongly. There are also three options that you choose from to correct the underlined portions.
Section 2 (Math):
60 minutes — 60 questions
The Math section is a standard multiple choice test that assesses all math you have learned in public schooling. It covers mainly algebra, geometry, and trigonometry amongst others. There are five answer choices instead of four for each question, and calculators that fit the requirements are permitted.
Section 3 (Reading):
35 minutes — 40 questions
The Reading section consists of four 800 word reading passages. Its passage topics are fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science. There are 10 composition questions at the end of each passage.
Section 4 (Science):
35 minutes — 40 questions
The Science section is made of six passages preceding five to seven questions each passage. There are three different formats to each passage: Research summary, data representation, and conflicting viewpoints. Specific scientific knowledge (such as formulas) is not necessary in this test. Instead, you are supposed to analyze and interpret the scientific information presented to you in the three formats listed above and evaluate them in the form of multiple choice answers.
Section 4 (Optional Writing):
30 minutes
The Writing section is an optional test in which you must write one essay. If you wish to take the writing test, you will sit the ACT Plus Writing test instead of the standard ACT test. Just because this test is not mandatory does not mean that it is less important than the other tests. Knowledge of your academic writing skills is essential and some colleges require a writing score. You would have to retake the whole ACT again if you didn’t sit the writing test the first time.
You will be given a prompt on a broad social issue and three different perspectives on the issue. You will have to write an essay presenting your position on the prompt and how they relate to the three perspectives. No specific essay structure is required
What is the Scoring System of the ACT?
Each of the four multiple choice tests (not including Writing) are given a scaled score of between 1-36, one being lowest, and 36 being highest. The raw score (basically every question you answered right) is converted to a scaled score for each of your subjects.
The highest possible raw scores you can get for each subject are:
English: 75
Math: 60
Reading: 40
Science: 40
The total score is determined by averaging all the test scores together. It is also reported on a scale of 1-36. Your total score is mainly what colleges and universities use to conclude admission.
There are also percentile rankings next to each score you receive. A percentile ranking is the comparison of how well you did on the test and how well other people who took the test on the same day did.
Taking the ACT Plus Writing test means that you will receive three scores in total.
The first score is your writing section score. You will be graded by two people on a scale of 1-6 with a total resulting score from 2-12.
Your second score is when your writing section score and English section score is combined and scaled ranging from 1-36. Your third score is your standard ACT score.
The highest possible raw scores you can get for each subject are:
English: 75
Math: 60
Reading: 40
Science: 40
The total score is determined by averaging all the test scores together. It is also reported on a scale of 1-36. Your total score is mainly what colleges and universities use to conclude admission.
There are also percentile rankings next to each score you receive. A percentile ranking is the comparison of how well you did on the test and how well other people who took the test on the same day did.
Taking the ACT Plus Writing test means that you will receive three scores in total.
The first score is your writing section score. You will be graded by two people on a scale of 1-6 with a total resulting score from 2-12.
Your second score is when your writing section score and English section score is combined and scaled ranging from 1-36. Your third score is your standard ACT score.
Taking the Test
The preferable way to register for the ACT is online at the official site. You can check available spaces and which places offer it in your area. Do not give up if you cannot get a booking. If you missed the late registration deadline, there is a standby testing list that you can request to get on.
SAT or ACT?
The SAT and ACT are similar in many ways and relatively similar in cost. The main difference is that ACT is more geared towards students wishing to pursue a program in the sciences. ACT has a specific section for science questions, while SAT now mixes Science, Literature and the Humanities in its reading section.
The ACT takes a total of 2 hours and 55 minutes to write (plus 30 minutes for the writing section) and the SAT takes a total of 3 hours and 45 minutes to write. The writing section for both ACT and the SAT are now optional but some colleges require it for ACT(see list) and SAT (see list).
The ACT total score is determined on a scale from 1-36 and the SAT total scored is determine on a scale from 600-2400. (However, the new SAT will determine scores on a scale from 400-1600. The new SAT will also have no deduction of points for wrong answers)
The SAT is generally less pressuring when it comes to time compared to the ACT. However, some people find the SAT questions more difficult compared to the ACT.
We recommend that you do not study for both tests at once and concentrate on studying for one test. To find out which test is better suited for you, we will provide you with qualified practice tests.
The ACT takes a total of 2 hours and 55 minutes to write (plus 30 minutes for the writing section) and the SAT takes a total of 3 hours and 45 minutes to write. The writing section for both ACT and the SAT are now optional but some colleges require it for ACT(see list) and SAT (see list).
The ACT total score is determined on a scale from 1-36 and the SAT total scored is determine on a scale from 600-2400. (However, the new SAT will determine scores on a scale from 400-1600. The new SAT will also have no deduction of points for wrong answers)
The SAT is generally less pressuring when it comes to time compared to the ACT. However, some people find the SAT questions more difficult compared to the ACT.
We recommend that you do not study for both tests at once and concentrate on studying for one test. To find out which test is better suited for you, we will provide you with qualified practice tests.
Need a ACT tutor?
If you feel your best chance of a better result is wth a tutor then browse through the Act course page. If in Ottawa, go though the Ottawa ACT tutor page and we have pages for ACT Gatineau tutors