Online Preparation
Visit the ACT Prep Site for practice test questions, tips for test taking and more!
FREE ACT given to all Juniors!
Parkway School District is providing all 11th graders the opportunity to take the ACT at school on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at no cost.
Below are answers to frequently asked questions. Please see your counselor if you have additional questions or concerns.
Test Date and Location
- When is the test and where will it be held?
The test is Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at PCH. April 24th is a “B” day, and the test will be during all of 2nd, 4th and 6th blocks. Students should report to their 2nd block classes, and will be dismissed via intercom to their testing rooms in Counseling, Math and Foreign Language. All juniors will eat 3rd lunch.
About the ACT
- What is on the ACT?
The ACT is made up of four curriculum-based multiple-choice tests in English, mathematics, reading, and science. Parkway is not participating in the optional writing portion of the ACT. The makeup of the test is:
• English Test – 75 items, 45 minutes
• Mathematics Test – 60 items, 60 minutes
(15 minute break)
• Reading Test – 40 items, 35 minutes
• Science Test – 40 items, 35 minutes
- Is this a “real” ACT?
Yes. Your score will be reportable to all colleges and universities in the United States. NCAA also accepts your score for initial-eligibility.
Test Day
- What do I need to bring with me to the test?
Bring #2 pencils with erasers and a permitted calculator. You may use any four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator, unless it has features described in the Prohibited Calculators list (http://www.act.org/aap/dcst/pdf/CalculatorNotice.pdf). Using the TI-89 is the most common reason students are dismissed from the ACT for prohibited calculator use.
- What is not allowed?
Eating, drinking and the use of reading materials are not permitted in the test room. You may not have a cell phone, media player, or electronic device of any kind in the test room (other than a permitted calculator) and you may not use them during the break.
- If I finish early, may I work on other things?
No. You may not read or engage in any other activity that could distract others from testing. If you finish before time is called, recheck your work on that test.
Registration
- Do I need to do anything to sign up for the test?
Registration is not necessary. All juniors enrolled at Parkway Central are automatically registered to take the test.
- What if I have an IEP or 504 Plan that gives me accommodations on testing?
ACT provides test accommodations in accordance with Title III of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). Schools provide accommodations under different regulations. Thus, having a diagnosis and receiving accommodations in school do not guarantee ACT approval of those accommodations.
Requests for ACT-approved test accommodations for all students with diagnosed disabilities who are receiving special education services described in a current Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan were completed and submitted by the school. ACT Approval of accommodations should be known in March. For those students who are approved to test with extended time or multiple-day testing, the testing window extends from April 24 - May 8, 2012.
Study Resources
- What are some study resources available to help me prepare for the ACT?
There are several FREE resources to help you prepare for the ACT. If you haven’t registered for Family Connection, now is the time. From the PCH website, go to “Departments” then “Counseling”. In the list of links on the right hand side, select “Family Connection – College Searching & Scholarships”. Click on the web link “Family Connection,” and then select “I need to register”. Your registration code is your student number. You will need an e-mail address to proceed. Once logged in to Family Connection, select the “colleges” tab. On the left hand side, select “test preparation”. It takes a few seconds to load, but you will then have access to Method Test Prep. This is an 11 week test prep program, so if you begin by February 15th you should be ready for the April 24th test date.
ACT also has test preparation resources on their student site. The URL is http://www.actstudent.org/testprep.
If you would like to have a paper copy of a full-length practice test, see Mrs. Bailey in the College/Career room in the Counseling department. Your PLAN test from 10th grade is also a valuable resource. If you never picked up your PLAN results from last year, please see your counselor.
Click for Frequently Asked Questions.
LAST Session of ACT Prep
@ PARKWAY Central
Semester Two—2012
Do you want to prepare for the ACT? PCH is offering cost-free courses this semester to meet your needs. This will help you prepare for the APRIL ACT!
Second Session Information:
- You MUST sign-up in Dr. Power’s office to take the Pre-Test RIGHT NOW or RIGHT when you get back from break. You must take the Pre-Test in order to participate.
- AM & PM sessions are only 30 minutes!
- This will help students with the April 14 & April 24 ACT!
- The AM session is from 7:00-7:30 am & the PM session is from 2:40-3:10 pm (the morning and afternoon are the same information).
The weekly offerings are (you may choose one, two, three or all):
- Science Reasoning (offered during week of March 26-30)
- English (offered during week of April 2-6)
- Math (offered during week of April 9-13)
- Reading Strategies/Family Connections (offered during week of April 16-20)
Students who are attending multiple content areas will complete a goal sheet.