Testing Strategies
the act of considering and rejecting each possible choice until only one is left
(it should be visible on EVERY question ALWAYS)
The Process of Elimination
What is used WITH a comma to connect 2 complete ideas?
F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.
When asked questions about shapes or coordinate planes in a word problem, you should do this to help you answer the question.
Draw pictures/diagrams
The action of reading something quickly so as to note only the important points
(You should do this on the reading section!)
Skimming
True or False: The science section of the ACT is optional.
True
Because you do not receive penalties for getting a question wrong, you should do this
Answer every question (Leave nothing blank!!)
What are the Evil Twins of English?
Semicolons (;) and periods (.)
They both separate 2 independent clauses. Eliminate both answer choices!
What is the formula for the area of a triangle?
Area= 1/2(b)(h)
Doing this allows you to know what exactly you are looking for. You’ll know what important details to look for, and you won’t waste time on details that never appear in a question.
Reading the question BEFORE reading the passage
Why will CBR students be taking the Science section of the ACT even though it is optional?
To ensure students are able to get TOPS and college admissions
This rule is USUALLY right when analyzing the length of answer choices on the English section
"The Shortest Is Usually Right" Rule
What goes in the blank of the following sentence?
During the months when whales migrate to Hawaii__ analysts at the local university record their songs
A comma
True or False: Vertical angles are only formed by the intersection of two straight lines.
True
You should do this as you are skimming the passage to help you find the answer to questions quickly.
Annotate the passage.
What are the easiest type of questions on the science section of the ACT?
Data Representation Questions
They both do the same thing so they must BOTH be incorrect
(eliminate both answer choices when you see the on the SAME question)
The Evil Twins of English
The paintings by the college students displayed more sophisticated command of color and detail than the professionals/those by the professionals.
(Which of the underlined answer choices is correct?)
What is the slope of the line passing through points (2,5) and (6,13)?
2
What questions should you answer first on the reading section of the ACT?
Questions that tell you exactly where to go. (On line 19, in paragraph 2, ect)
How do you know if a science passage is a research summary?
The tables will be labeled Experiment 1, Experiment 2, Experiment 3, ect.
To solve tough word problems involving variables quickly, this strategic hack suggests replacing letters like x and y with small, easy numbers like 2 or 5 to make the algebra concrete.
Plugging in the answer choices
Angela was curious about the unopened letter and wondered for who/whom it was meant.
Which of the underlined answer choices is correct?
Whom
Given f(x) = 2x + 3 and g(x) = 1 2 (x – 2), find…
f(g(3)) =
4
Save these types of questions for last because they are the hardest.
Whole passage questions.
(Questions asking about the entire passage.)
What type of questions should be answered last on the Science section of the ACT?
Conflicting View Point Questions