The ACT
Math Categories
Test Strategies
Calculator
The Mental Game
100
The ACT has this many sections.
How many is Four (or Five)?
English, Math, Reading, Science (and optional Writing)
100
There are this many math questions on the ACT, which you will have 1 hour to answer.
What is 60?
100
Research shows that this study strategy, which involves waiting until the last minute to study, results in markedly lower scores.
What is cramming?
100
Some of the questions on the test require a calculator to solve.
What is False?
All questions can be solved without a calculator, BUT it will help you to have one.
100
This mental trap, where you change an answer because you feel unsure, should be avoided at all costs.
What is Second Guessing?
200
There are this many questions total on the ACT.
What is 215?
English - 75 Questions
Math - 60 Questions
Reading - 40 Questions
Science - 40 Questions
200
Of the three categories of math on the ACT- Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry- this category has the most questions.
What is Algebra? (33 questions)
200
"Now, Later, Never" is a recommended test taking strategy.
What is True?
200
You will not be able to program equations into your calculator to help you.
What is True?
You will not be able to have anything stored in your calculator, and you will not be given an equation sheet.
200
Don't let word problems kill your vibe- of means to do this math operation, and per means to do this operation.
What is multiply and divide?
300
This is the top score possible on the ACT.
What is 36?
A good score is in the 20-27 range; a competitive score is 24-27; top scores are 28-36.
300
The following question belongs in this math category:
What is Trigonometry?
300
If you have to guess, you should choose the same letter every time.
What is True?
300
This is one of the permitted calculators for the ACT.
What is the TI-84?
Not allowed:
Texas Instruments:
- All model numbers that begin with TI-89 or TI-92
- TI-Nspire CAS (the TI-Nspire non-CAS is permitted)
Hewlett-Packard:
- HP Prime
- HP48GII
- All model numbers that begin with HP 40G, HP 49G, or HP 50G
Casio:
- fx-CP400 (ClassPad 400)
- ClassPad 300 or ClassPad 330
- Algebra fx 2.0
- All model numbers that begin with CFX-9970G
300
Studies show that this technique of verbalizing your belief in your success for 10 minutes before the start of the test actually leads to better performance on the test.
What is Positive Self Talk?
400
Because the ACT measures your academic preparedness, and not your intelligence, it's possible to increase this indicator by studying.
What is Your Score?
400
Math Joke: Are monsters good at math?
400
If you want to improve your score by 3 points, you should plan to spend at least this many hours studying before you take the ACT next.
What is 20 hours?
400
The following calculator functions can be used to solve what kind of math problems?
What is Matricies?
400
This technique of putting your body into certain poses before entering a stressful situation causes changes in your brain that cause you to perform better in those situations.
What are Power Poses?
500
There are this many breaks during the ACT.
What is one?
500
This section of math is the shortest, with four questions.
What is Trigonometry?
500
This tool (which can be found for free online) is the best way to simulate what taking the actual ACT will be like.
What are Practice Tests?
500
Changing the setting represented by the diagonal line or triangle, seen here, allows you to graph these kinds of functions:
What are Inequalities?
500
Because there is not time set aside for reading the directions during the test, this is one way to use time wisely on test day.
What is Read the directions the night before on a practice test, so you know what you have to do as soon as the section starts.