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Insights from ACT

How many times do you recommend a student take the ACT?

It’s common to take the test twice, once as a junior and then again as a senior. You might consider retesting if you experienced problems with the test directions or felt sick that day. Most students retest because they don’t feel their scores represent their abilities or grades. While the test can be taken multiple times, results often depend on how much time and learning takes place between tests.
Of students taking the ACT more than once, statistics show:

  • 57% increased their Composite score

  • 21% had no change in their Composite score

  • 22% decreased their Composite score

Here are links to more detail on retesting and other common ACT questions.

Could you speak to the benefits of test preparation and the different types available? 

We always say that the best test preparation is a rigorous curriculum, because the ACT is a curriculum-based test. The test is designed to assess what a student has learned in English, Math, Reading, Writing and Science. 

The decision for online versus paper test preparation really depends on a student’s comfort level and learning style. Regardless of method, we strongly recommend students practice as if they are in a real test environment. Set a timer for the actual number of minutes allowed for each test section. Track your times so you get every question answered. Timing and pacing are important to practice. And remember, ACT doesn’t penalize for guessing. A right answer is a right answer!  

Tutors can be helpful, especially if a student needs help with reading comprehension. All ACT subject areas rely on a strong level of reading comprehension—even science. The foundation of all these skills is strong reading ability, which is probably the hardest thing to prepare for if foundational skills aren’t already there.

There is no need to spend a lot of money on test preparation.  There are free practice test questions and a question of the day that students can access on ACT’s website, www.actstudent.org. ACT also offers a free guide, Preparing for the ACT, highlighting testing tips and a description of each subject area.

ACT provides both ACT Online Prep and a book form—both available for a nominal cost. The online test preparation and The Real ACT Prep Guide are the official ACT test preparation from the makers of ACT. Both provide a range of resources and study materials, including practice tests with an optional Writing Test as well as real ACT test questions.

Also of note: if students pay an extra $20 when taking the December, April or June ACT, they can get their test answer sheet back, along with correct answers.  This is called the Test Information Release.

Can you describe any significant ACT changes on the horizon?

There are several improvements coming to the ACT in Fall 2015. Two of note include:

  1. New “readiness indicators” (in addition to traditional scoring) will be provided across key categories to show performance and preparedness in areas important to success after high school. The new sub-scores will be provided for: ELA (English Language Arts), Work Readiness, Test Complexity and STEM. Sub-scores will be created from existing test item content.

  2. The Writing Test is being enhanced.  It will be more broadly argumentative to better measure students’ ability to evaluate multiple perspectives on complex issues and generate an argument based on reasoning, knowledge and experience. Students will be asked to respond to a question about a position on an issue. They may adopt one of the perspectives described in the prompt or present a different point of view. Scoring will not be affected by the point of view a student takes on the issue.

To stay current on What's Next for The ACT, sign up for updates at http://www.act.org/actnext/.

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