Step By Step simple guidelines on How to Write an ACT Exam
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How to Write an ACT Exam
Although your high school GPA may play an important role in admission to your college, the ACT exam may have the final say. An ACT exam is an entrance exam utilized by most colleges to decide on the admission of students. The primary purpose of writing the ACT exam is to test and measure readiness for college studies. The admission board reviews the test scores and the school’s GPA to make their final decision.
Of course, the extracurricular activities, the classes you took, recommendation letters from your teachers and your application, where you discuss the high school experience from your perspective, are also reviewed. Although the importance of the ACT scores may vary depending on the college, the options for college enrollment will be high with higher scores.
The ACT exam has four sections: math, science, English and reading. Besides, the prospective candidates are given forty minutes to complete the writing test. It can be pretty challenging to write an essay, and that is why you need to prepare for it.
What is the ACT exam?
The ACT exam has several sections showing your knowledge of various subjects. It is an acronym for American College Test. It is a multiple-choice test with several questions and options for answers. You have two hours and fifty-five minutes for the multiple-choice test and forty minutes for the writing section.
The length of the ACT exam gives you enough time to choose the correct answers and start your essay, which is quite complicated. You will be required to expand on the provided important topic and three perspectives while writing the test. Ensure you show your abilities in several core aspects when writing a coherent essay.
You need to be capable of generating ideas and analyzing them from various perspectives. It is also vital to provide evidence supporting your point of view. The essay must be logically organized so the reader can easily navigate the narrative. It is also essential to use proper written language and conventions.
What colleges require ACT writing
Universities and colleges decide whether to accept ACT writing exam scores or use course placement for admission. Students will determine whether or not to take the writing test based on the requirements of the universities they are interested in attending.
Writing skills measured by the ACT writing test
Ideas and analysis
Scores in an ACT exam measure the ability to generate productive ideas and critically engage with various perspectives on a given issue. Competent writers know the issue they are invited to address, the audience and the purpose for writing. They generate ideas that are relevant to the situation.
Development and support
Scores here reflect the ability to discuss ideas, offer rationale and bolster an argument. Competent writers explain and explore their ideas, discuss implications and show illustrations via examples. They help the reader understand their thinking about the issue.
Organization
Scores in an ACT exam reflect the ability to organize ideas with purpose and clarity. Organizational choices are vital to effective writing. Competent writers arrange their essays in a way that shows the relationship between ideas clearly, and they guide the reader through their discussion.
Language use and conventions
Scores here reflect the ability to use written language to convey arguments with clarity. Competent writers make use of the conventions of syntax, grammar, usage, word and mechanics. Besides, they are aware of their audience and thus adjust the tone and style of their writing for effective communication.
How to write an ACT exam
You will have enough time to go through the test and mark all the right answers. After the math test, students have a 10-minute break and five-minute rest before they start writing the essay. Try doing an ACT practice exam and actually see when you might need breaks.
English test
The ACT English test has 75 questions and is allocated 45 minutes. In terms of content, this part can be divided into three parts:
Conventions of Standard English
This part takes over 50% of the test and is the largest. In this section, the questions focus on syntax, grammar, correct use of words and punctuation. You may be asked to choose the right tense or verb in this part. This section focuses on the general rules of English; therefore, you don’t have to write essays sharing your opinion on books or world problems.
Production of writing
In the production of the writing section, students are given passages from different texts to check how good they are at seeing the big picture. You must choose the correct choice based on the purpose or tone of the passage. Questions in this part also concern the strategies and literary style used by the author.
Knowledge of language
This is the least part of the English and focuses on precision, tone and style.
Math test
Initially, it may seem a bit too easy, but that is because it is arranged in order of difficulty. The first questions may be a bit easy, followed by medium difficulty and the most difficult ones in the last questions. Check for an ACT practice test to familiarize yourself with what you will encounter. The math test comprises:
- Elementary Algebra
- Pre-algebra
- Coordinate geometry
- Intermediate Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Plane geometry
Fortunately, the ACT exam allows the use of a calculator. Thus, you don’t have to waste a lot of time if you are not the brightest in terms of calculation.
Reading test
It has a lot in common with the production of writing questions in the English test. Students are assigned passages from texts and questions about the passages in this part. You can be asked to identify the author’s attitude toward the passage’s main subject. The meaning of words in the passage’s context, the body paragraphs’ main idea, etc. The important part is that you don’t have to develop your unique perspective of the text. In this section, your ability to analyze and give information without adding your own opinion on the issue is tested.
Science test
It includes chemistry, biology, physics and space and earth sciences. You can be asked to pick the right conclusion from your options for graphs and diagrams. The section includes questions on conflicting viewpoints. Students are provided with a description of a certain phenomenon with various hypotheses on its explanation. You, therefore, need to choose which assumption reflects the provided notion in the questions.
How to improve your writing skills?
Improving your writing skills for the ACT examination can significantly impact your overall score.
Below are a few things you can do to improve your writing skills:
- Get familiar with current social issues and various opinions on them; Take the time to carefully read and understand the prompt. Pay attention to the specific instructions, key terms, and the question being asked. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what is expected of you.
- Before you start writing, spend a few minutes planning your response. Consider the main points you want to make, the evidence or examples you can use to support your ideas, and the overall structure of your essay. This will help you stay organized and focused throughout your writing.
- Read and write – if you do it frequently, you won’t have problems with the test;
- Try writing extracurricular activities, like creative writing clubs;
- Taking debate classes will prepare you for the essay;
- Your thesis statement is the main argument or point of view you will present in your essay. It should be clear, concise, and directly address the prompt. Take the time to craft a strong thesis statement that will guide the rest of your essay.
- Share your writing with others;
- Shaping your writing can be shaped into a read-write-repeat formula. Read how others write and try writing yourself. This will help you master the style and improve your ACT exam scoring.
To master the skills, you can also try blogging. You can always contact your teachers to organise your writing and generate productive ideas. You can also greatly improve your writing by asking your friends and classmates what they think. Remember that you can only perfect your writing skills through practice.
How to write an ACT essay?
Below are some steps you can follow to write an ACT essay:
- Devote some minutes to plan your essay.
- Think about the way you are going to organize it.
- Read the writing prompt and the multiple perspectives, and pick the one you are going to work on. You will know what to do if you check an example ACT essay.
- Brainstorm the ideas and analysis, as well as supporting pieces of evidence you can provide.
- Picture the structure of your essay and devote some time to writing it so that you will have enough time on the test day.
What is the ACT writing section?
- The result does not influence your composite score in the writing section.
- If you opt for the writing section, the time is 3 hours and 35 minutes. Otherwise, it is 2 hours and 55 minutes.
- The writing section has a 40-minute essay evaluation that examines your writing abilities. Therefore, skimming through ACT essay examples while preparing for the ACT exam is advisable.
- You will be given three passages and three opinions to complement them. The aim will be to analyze the passages extensively and provide a detailed write-up.
- The ACT writing exam has an average score of 6.5. For extremely selective institutions, a score of 8 or above is preferred. Strong writing abilities are demonstrated by scores of 10, 11 and 12.
ACT writing section exam pattern
In ACT writing, questions are framed in a way that the topic you have is divided into two sections.
- A paragraph addressing a subject of international significance.
- After the introduction paragraph, you will be presented with three perspectives on the subject.
Among the best ACT writing tips to start drafting is an essay that clearly outlines your point of view on the problem, examines the correlation between your standpoint, and supports your perspective with a well-defined theory. You can decide to develop your unique perspective or conclude with one perspective. The following is how your writing template should be:
- Construct an introduction statement for your argument first
- Describe your take on the topic in the first paragraph and provide essential facts about your perspective.
- Add further logic and detail your opinions in the second paragraph
- Remember to include closing remarks.
How to prepare for ACT writing section?
There are various ways to prepare for the ACT writing exam. Below are some ways or tips for ACT writing:
- Practice writing in as many multiple formats and contexts as possible. Aspire for well-developed and well-organized writing that is unambiguous, exact and succinct.
- Read and write frequently. Read as much as you can from various sources. Learn about contemporary societal concerns and form your ideas.
- There are various books available to help you prepare for this section. Prepare for the exam using the booklet provided. This gives you a quick rundown of what to expect in the exam.
- You can also hire tutors to prepare for the exam.
- Numerous online and offline channels and classes are available to help students prepare for the ACT exams.
Final word
Preparing for and writing the ACT exam requires a strategic and disciplined approach. You can increase your chances of success by familiarizing yourself with the format and content, creating a study plan, practicing regularly, and honing your writing skills. Remember to manage your time effectively during the exam, focusing on accuracy and pacing.
Additionally, taking care of your physical and mental well-being is important to perform at your best. With proper preparation and a positive mindset, you can confidently approach the ACT exam and maximize your potential for a strong score.
Remember, the ACT exam is a significant component of the college admissions process, and with proper preparation and a focused mindset, you can increase your chances of achieving your desired score. So, embrace the challenge, put in the hard work, and trust your abilities.