Gearing up for the 2019 ACT & WorkKeys ACT - Wednesday, February 20th WorkKeys - Thursday, February 21st
DPI - Mandated Testing ● Wisconsin requires all 11th graders to take the ACT & WorkKeys. ● Intended to measure students’ college & career readiness. ● You do not have to pay for this ACT test ○ College reportable, 4 scores for free!
WI - Dept of Public Instruction ● Ensure every student graduates ready for further education & the workplace. ● Increase career & college readiness. ● Ensure all students graduate with the skills necessary for post-secondary success.
What's the Big Deal? ● The ACT is not just an achievement test. It’s used for... ○ College Selection ■ The ACT is a college entrance test used for admissions. Use Naviance to see the average ACT score needed for a given college. ○ Scholarships ■ The ACT is a competition for scholarship dollars. A score of 24-28 is a benchmark for significant scholarship money for some colleges. For some private schools, the benchmark is a 30–31.
ACT...also used for: ● Instead of the “Accuplacer” test, the ACT can be used for admission & course placement at Technical Colleges such as MATC. ● Course Placement - Some colleges use ACT scores for placing students into college courses. ● NCAA - scores earned on the ACT can be used by students for NCAA eligibility requirements. ● State Accountability - Are WI / CHS students learning the skills required for post-secondary success?
ACT Scores ● The composite is an average of the 4 test scores ○ Eng, Math, Reading & Science ○ Each subject test is scored on a 1-36 scale ○ All questions multiple-choice (except Writing) ● WI Avg. Composite Score for 2018 Grads - 19.7 ● CHS Avg. Composite Score for 2018 Grads - 23.9
ACT Scores – Take a Closer Look
The Basics for the ACT.... ● Get a good night SLEEP ● Report to your Advisory or assigned testing location ○ Arrive no later than 7:28 AM ● Snacks/water provided at break ● Break for Lunch before the Writing test ○ Go home after completing ALL tests
What to bring… just 1, 2, 3…. 1. Acceptable Photo ID (School ID or Driver's License w/name & recognizable photo) 2. Two No. 2 Pencils with good erasers (No pens or mechanical pencils) 3. Permitted Calculator
What NOT to bring to testing: ● Cell phones, Smart watches or other electronic devices ● Portable listening device, camera ● Prohibited calculators such as TI-89 or TI-92 ● Food or water ● Scratch paper ● Notes, books, dictionaries ● Highlighter or colored pens/pencils
A Word on Cell Phones…. ● Cell phones are prohibited from the testing room & cannot be used during all breaks, this INCLUDES the lunch break! ● Applies to any digital/electronic equipment
Q: What may happen if… ...a student is seen using a cell phone or if a phone or electronic device makes any noise? A: The student will be dismissed immediately, his/her scores will be canceled & the device will be confiscated. The tests of others students may also be invalidated!
ACT Testing Schedule Test 1 - English 45 min - 75 questions Test 2 - Math 60 min - 60 questions Break: 15 min (with a snack/water/restroom) Test 3 - Reading 35 min - 40 questions Test 4 - Science 35 min - 40 questions LUNCH Break - (30 min) Test 5 - Writing 40 min - 1 essay prompt
ACT English Test ● Usage & Mechanics 53% - 40 questions ○ Punctuation - 10 questions ○ Grammar & Usage - 12 questions ○ Sentence Structure - 18 questions ● Rhetorical Skills 47% - 35 questions ○ Strategy - 12 questions ○ Organization - 11 questions ○ Style - 11 questions
ACT Math Test ● 60 multiple-choice questions: ○ Pre-Algebra 23% - 14 questions ○ Elementary Algebra 17% - 10 questions ○ Intermediate Algebra 15% - 9 questions ○ Coordinate Geometry 15% - 9 questions ○ Plane Geometry 23% - 14 questions ○ Trigonometry 7% - 4 questions
ACT Reading Test ● Four Types of Reading Passages: ○ Prose Fiction ○ Humanities ○ Social Studies ○ Natural Science Passages from published materials such as books & magazines
ACT Science Test ● Content Areas: Biology, Chemistry, Earth/Space Science, Physics ○ Data Representation: 38% - 15 questions ○ Research Summaries: 45% - 18 questions ○ Conflicting Viewpoints: 17% - 7 questions
Test Taking Tips - Pacing ❏ English - 75 questions/45 min = 36 seconds per question ❏ Math - 60 questions/60 min = 1 minute per question ❏ Reading - 40 questions/35 min (10 questions each from 4 passages) = about 8.5 minutes for each passage & its questions ❏ Science - 40 questions/35 min = 52.5 seconds per question = about 6 minutes for each of the 6 passages & related set of questions.
Test Taking Tips - Pacing ● Take deep breaths ● Pace yourself ○ Limit your time on any one question or passage. ● Keep track of time ● Pay attention to announcement of 5 min remaining ● Practice with a timer when possible
Test Taking Tips - Guessing ● There is NO penalty for guessing on the ACT, so… ○ Take a chance & take advantage by answering every question. ○ If guessing, make educated guesses after eliminating 1 or more incorrect answers. ○ Answer questions you know first; go back to more difficult questions ○ Read directions for each test & question carefully.
More Test Taking Tips ● Check your answer sheet to make sure you are placing your answers correctly. ● If you complete a test before time is called, recheck your work on that test. ● Use your test booklet as scratch paper. ● Be sure to fill in/erase entire circle. ● Do not mark ovals after time is called. If you do, you will be dismissed & answer sheet will not be scored.
ACT Test Prep During Resource Review your PreACT Student Profile Report See your handout for specific ACT prep lessons Sign-up in Enriching Students! Check the: 2018-2019 Resource Support Session Calendar
Be ACT Ready! Method Test Prep (MTP): Free for Juniors ● Over 1,500 practice questions ● 500 Video explanations ● 2 Full length practice exams ● 15 Minutes/day, 1 hour/week lessons ● Very predictable test…know the question types ● Choose the practice areas you want
Other ACT Prep CHS Counseling Website ● Knowledge Edge - Tutoring & Bootcamps (Feb 14, 6:30-8:30) ● WI Test Prep - College Tutors.com ● Real ACT Prep Guide - ACT Practice Test ● North Shore Tutoring - Kaplan & Online links ACT Test Prep Resources CHS Counseling Study Skills & Tutoring Links
ACT WorkKeys: National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) ● WorkKeys ○ Measures essential “Real World” skills that employers believe are Critical to occupational ○ Questions are based on situations in the everyday work world ● The NCRC is a credential of work-readiness skills that are: ○ Recognized nationally by businesses & industries ○ Awarded at 4 levels based on core-assessment scores ■ Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum ○ Portable: You can take it to employer as part of your resume or portfolio ○ More than 1000 companies use it to evaluate prospective employees
Levels of Difficulty Levels of Difficulty: Levels 3 - 7. Level 3 is the least complex & Level 7 is the most complex. Bronze: 3 Silver: 4 Gold: 5 Platinum: 6 & 7
National Career Readiness Certificate Wisconsin NCRC Certifications Earned Percentage of Jobs in ACT JobPro
ACT WorkKeys Test Schedule In the Field House Test 1 - Workplace Documents - 55 min Test 2 - Applied Mathematics - 55 min Break: 15 min (Restroom) Test 3 - Graphic Literacy - 55 min
The Same Basics for the WorkKeys... ● Get a good night SLEEP ● Arrive no later than 8:13 AM ○ Acceptable Photo ID (School ID or Driver's License that has name and recognizable photo) ○ Two No. 2 Pencils with good erasers (NO PENS OR MECHANICAL PENCILS) ○ Permitted Calculator ● Bathroom Break Testing will end around 12:20 AM & ALL Juniors will go to lunch, then 4th Block class
What NOT to bring to testing: ● Cell phones or other electronic devices ● Portable listening device, camera ● Prohibited calculators such as TI-89 or TI-92 ● Food or water ● Scratch paper ● Notes, books, dictionaries ● Highlighter or colored pens/pencils
PreAdministration Day: Advisory on Wednesday, February 13th ● Come prepared to your Advisory w/ pencils ● Come with ideas - Counseling Dept. sent email regarding: ○ College Major & Occupation ○ College Codes for 4 prospective schools ● Transcripts will be provided ○ Overall Cumulative GPA ○ Grades achieved in Core Courses
Score Reports ● Score reports will be available 4-6 weeks after the ACT & WorkKeys assessments are given ● Students will be able to access your NCRC (WorkKeys) certificate online
Class of 2020... YOU CAN DO IT! ● Take ADVANTAGE of test prep! ● Get a good night’s sleep. Eat breakfast! ● Answer all items on the test. Take your “best guess” on difficult items that you are not sure of! ● Re-check your work! ● Return to difficult items! ● Keep a positive mindset!
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