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In United States, ACT is the standardized achievement examination for college acceptance. The format of the ACT examination is divided into four multiple choice sections. The subjects included are mathematic, science reasoning, English and reading along with an option writing section. The average of all the four tests is calculated as the composite score. However, the ACT exam often includes an experimental section, which is generally a short version of any of the four major sections.

English: The first section of the ACT exam is a 45 minute English test. There are seventy five questions in this section and includes a few passages, some of which are underlined. You will have options to correct those underlined portions on the other side of the page. It also includes some questions about the order of sentences in the paragraph, author’s tone in a particular section and order of the paragraphs.

Mathematics: This is the second section that includes 60 questions and you have 60 minutes to complete them. Out of them ten questions are set from your elementary algebra, fourteen from pre-algebra, nine intermediate algebra, four from elementary trigonometry, fourteen from geometry and nine from coordinate geometry. You can even use your calculator.

Reading: There are forty questions in this section and need to complete them within 35 minutes. This includes four passages that help to measure your reading comprehension. The passages are usually taken from books and magazines and are based on prose fiction, social science, humanities and natural science.

Science reasoning: It includes forty questions and you will have to answer them within 35 minutes. You will have seven passages; among them three are Research Summary passage with six questions each, three Data Representation passages with 5 questions each and one Conflicting Viewpoints passage with 7 questions.

Tips for preparing in ACT:

• For the science sections of ACT, give stress on Latin language.
• Repeat your middle school math courses with a special emphasis on geometry.

• Opt for Prep courses and take practice ACT exams.

The ACT is an achievement exam for getting acceptance into a college in the U.S. This test measures the understanding and knowledge a student has acquired during his educational career. Many college students realize that they need to prepare themselves for ACT test in order to gain acceptance into a good college. Let us now discuss few basics about ACT score which will make college admittance easy.

Few Basics About ACT Test Score

• ACT is an aptitude test which analyses how far a student has learnt. It tests the verbal and reasoning abilities of an individual. It has five components: Mathematics, Science, Reading, English and Optional Writing test.

• Students must test 2 months ahead of application deadlines of those scholarship agencies and colleges where they want to apply. It generally takes a minimum of 4 to 8 weeks after the test date to get score reports. Early testing has few advantages. This may enable retesting in case your result is lower than required. This will also provide extra time for preparation and study in order to increase your scores.

• Few college applicants question whether it is to their benefit to retake ACT test. The answer depends upon individuals and circumstances. If personal problems or any type of illness created distraction on the day of ACT test, retesting can prove beneficial. If additional practice or study is expected to increase the scores, retesting can be a better idea. However, you must remember that retesting is just a bit of gambling.

• After the actual ACT test is over, students wait eagerly to see their scores. They can see the scores online within 2 weeks; however, a small charge of $8 will be applicable.

• The highest possible score in the ACT test is 36. The ACT score, necessary for college admittance, will differ from one college to another. If you have doubt regarding which college you must apply, it may be helpful to look at the national ranking for your score.

If you use your ACT test score properly, you will be able to achieve your future dreams and goals successfully. Understanding the basics of ACT score will make your admittance easier into the college of your choice.

The ACT is basically an achievement test which determines how far a student has learned during his/her school days. It measures the skills, understanding and knowledge a student has achieved throughout his/her education. It is basically a skill test that analysis the verbal and reasoning abilities of the students. The ACT has five components that include optional writing, science, reading, mathematics and English test. If you improve your ACT scores, getting acceptance into a college becomes quite easy.

How to Improve Your ACT Scores to Get Acceptance into a College

• Speed up Yourself: The test is quite tough, and there are many competitors. Almost every competitor will be capable of completing the questions within the allotted time. Hence, you must try to solve all the questions within time so as to improve your ACT scores to get college acceptance easily. The test protectors will make announcement when you have five minutes left after each test.

• Read the Instructions Carefully: The science, reading and English test prefer best answers. Read the instructions carefully and consider all the answers before writing down any particular answer. The math test prefers correct answer rather than best answer. Solve out the given problems, re-check your answer and select the right answer from the given choices.

• Read the Questions Carefully: Before solving any answer, ensure that you have a full understanding of each questions thoroughly.

• Attempt Simple Questions First: As soon as you get the question paper, solve out the easy questions first. Only after solving the easy questions, go back to the difficult ones. The easy questions will take less time, and you will be left with enough time to answer the difficult questions.

• Use Your Logic While Answering: Compare the given answers, and note down how they differ from each other. Do away with as many inappropriate answers as you can; make a guess from the remaining options.

• Answer All Questions: Your test score depends on number of questions that you get right. Guessing is always welcome and you are not penalized for it.

• Re-Check Your Answers: After you have completed answering all questions, go back and review your answers.

• Mark Your Answer Sheet Correctly: Make sure that you fill up the ovals in the answer sheet correctly. Mark just one answer against each question. Erase the answer properly if you have made any changes.

You must study for the SAT if you want to go to college in the United States.  With the help of SAT scores, a college determines whether a student has the ability to become the right fit for their college or institution. Although, SAT scores are vital, they are not everything for the college admission process. Colleges and institutions also consider recommendations, interviews, essays, your higher school Grade Point Average, community involvement and much more for the admission procedure. However, your chances of college acceptance enhances if you get a high SAT score.

How Important is SAT Score?

The significance of an SAT score generally depends on where students would like to attend college. More than 50% of colleges accept the majority of the students who submit applications. However, for a few colleges, SAT scores really matter. These institutions generally get more applicants; however, they can only accept a limited number of applications.

How Colleges and Schools Decide

Top schools generally look at the academic achievement of the students such as the types of courses, class rank and grades to decide whom to accept. Admission executives then study the non-academic profiles of the students such as their acts of citizenship, community involvement, and other extra-curricular activities. Few colleges also look for merit among artists and athletes. Multiculturalism can also become a major factor for college acceptance. Right at this point, SAT test scores play a major role. You can have extra curricular activities and everything else; however, if you have a low SAT score, you will have a difficult time gaining admission to the college of your choice.

SAT Score – Its Importance

SAT tests the ability of a student in three main areas: writing, reading comprehension, and math. Students, who get a 650 verbal and a 650 math on SAT, are able to do work at almost any institution or college within the country. Numerous SAT preparation workbooks and programs are available to help students in the process of study. If a student performs well in SAT, admission to their desirable college becomes easier. It is often not easy to understand how crucial SAT scores are in the process of college admission. A great SAT score may provide a student the competitive edge and may help them to stand out more than the other applicants.

Preparing yourself for college may seem exhausting at times since you have to pass through several entrance examinations. This may create extra pressure on you and you may feel tired both physically and mentally. A methodical approach to prepare for ACT exams can become helpful, and students will get easy acceptance into a college of their choice. Four year universities and colleges use the ACT exams in order to determine the potential and academic achievements of applicants. The scores of ACT exam also serve major criteria for several financial awards.

How to Prepare for ACT to Get College Acceptance

The ACT exam includes the following:

• English: You are given 45 minutes to solve the English paper. It has 75 questions that are related to five prose piece passages (sentence structure, grammar and usage, punctuation). Hence you must have good background in English in order to prepare yourself for ACT exam.

• Science: You have to solve 40 science questions within 30 minutes. You must have good capability to analyze scientific information on biology, physical science, and earth science.

• Math: You must have strong skills and good knowledge in trigonometry, geometry and algebra to sit for ACT exams. You must prepare these fields thoroughly to pass ACT exam with good scores.

• Optional Writing: You must have good flair for writing essays, since you have to explain your point of view on a given issue.

• Reading: During this part, you will be provided 40 questions where you will have to draw some conclusions from given prose passages. You must show good ability in reading so as to pass the ACT test.

Other Useful Information

Students who achieve success in advanced science, social science, math, and English do well in ACT examination. If you have taken ACT exam before, you can review your score reports and learn from your mistake so that you can prepare yourself well for the next ACT exam.

The ACT is a college admission test that analyzes the ability of a student in five main segments: reasoning, science, reading, math and English. This national college examination includes 215 different types of questions and students generally take 3.5 hours to solve the paper. All universities and colleges in U.S accept ACT examination results. The ACT test can be a crucial factor to get easy college acceptance. It is a vital criterion for college admission in most colleges, and some degree programs use ACT scores to decide whom to admit. Hence, it is important for a student to prepare for ACT carefully before sitting for the examination.

How To Take Preparation and Give Exam

To start preparing for ACT exams, you must take special courses in social studies, science, math and English. Your physical state, emotion and attitude may also influence your performance a lot. Read the information in registration packet carefully, and take a complete practice test. On examination day, make sure to:

• Read directions for all sections carefully.

• Read instructions provided on the test booklet cover.

• Read all questions thoroughly.

• Do not spend lot of time on one question or a single passage.

• Answer simple questions first and then attempt the difficult ones.

• Use a soft lead pencil and a good eraser.

• You are not penalized for guessing. Try to answer all questions. You scores are based on how many question you attempt correctly.

• Mark all your answers neatly. If anything is erased, clean it completely without smudging.

• Re-check your work after you have finished the test.

• Do not continue writing after the exam time is over, otherwise you may get disqualified.

You will get 30 minutes to think about the subject in writing prompt. Start doing some planning before writing down the essay. Consider the prompt carefully, and ensure that you understand it clearly. Preparing for ACT examination is vital for your future and college education; hence you must follow the tips carefully before you sit for ACT exams.

Choosing the right college or university has never been so easy for students and families. Numerous factors are involved in selecting the right college and you must take the decision depending on academic performances. Many students do not spend enough time thinking about these factors, and they end up with unhappy results.

Things to Consider While Choosing a College

• Size of the college: Colleges have varying sizes. Some colleges can enroll only 20 students, whereas there are others which can enroll more than 30,000 students. Ask yourself whether you want to attend a small institution or a large one.

• Entrance Examination: All colleges have definite guidelines for accepting students. Before applying, it is crucial for you to understand that majority of the colleges require an entrance exam such as SAT or ACT with passing score. Some departments such as psychology department and nursing department have tough guidelines that require your entrance testing. Selecting a college or a university is not just about entrance guidelines; it can stop you from getting admission if you do not score well in high school.

• Cost and Financial Aid: Cost is the most important thing that parents think off while admitting their children into a college. Before you choose a college, you must consider whether the college offers financial aid and scholarships. Also consider whether your grades, athletic ability or musical talent is enough for you to earn scholarship. Government colleges often provide lower tuition rates compared to private colleges.

• Knowledge of career field: If you have a general idea regarding the career field you want to pursue, you will be able to determine the college that is just perfect for you. Every college or university does not offer the degree you are looking for; hence, you must do some vital research before you apply for any college. From the university website you can get a list of degrees provided by the institution and can also learn about the programs on offer.

• Distance Vs close to home: One biggest problem faced by most learners is whether to move away from home or to attend a neighboring college. Most parents want their children to study from home to clear living expenses. A major concern faced by students while moving off to institution and colleges is lack of support from their family. College is quite stressful, and students can experience lack of interest in studies if they face such problems.

Selecting a college that is right for you is not at all an easy task. It is an important decision in a student’s life, and he/she must consider a few factors such as social situation, future professional goals, geographic location and academics before choosing the right college. Of course, one cannot also ignore the monetary factor while choosing a college. There are more than five thousand colleges and universities to apply to. Then how will you find which is the right one for you? Learning and education is an investment for lifetime; hence, selecting the college that is right for you is an important and tough decision.

How to Choose the Right College?

Firstly, you must consider few important questions. If you do not consider the questions now, you might suffer in the future for making a wrong decision in choosing a college. Don’t ever apply to a university or college only because it is a famous school, or because your friend has applied there. Here are the questions that you must ask yourself:

• Type of college: What type of college do you want to attend? Do you want to study in a four year college or two year institution?

• Location of the university or college: Which location is preferable for you? Do you want to stay close, or stay far away from your home? You must also consider whether you prefer to study in a small campus or a large campus college.

• Cost of college: Before you select the college that is right for you just ask yourself whether you or your family can bear the cost of your college. Also consider whether the college of your choice offers scholarships.

• Academics: Does the college of your choice have strong arts curricula that will help you to work in numerous career fields? What type of courses are offered by the institution and how much helpful are they?

• Campus Life: Are recreational and athletic facilities such as theater, band, clubs, and intramural sports available with the college selected by you?

If you understand your requirements you will be able to narrow down your list of chosen colleges even further, and will be able to choose the college that is just perfect for you.

It is the application that you send to your college that gives a complete picture of you. Therefore you should have an application which highlights all your strong points. Do not forget to mention these in your application for getting admission in a good college. These components are:

1) Your grades: The grades that you have scored in your high school are extremely important. They show how good you are as a student and what are your potentials as a student. It counts more if you have good grades in tough courses which are in high demand.

2) Recommendation of your teacher: Recommendations are important parts of your application. An application asks for recommendations from two of your teachers or coaches. Since they can help your cause tremendously choose the right recommender. Go for the person who likes you and was your teacher or guide in your high school years.

3) Scores in SAT and ACT: The scores of the SAT and the ACT do matter. If you have good scores in SAT and ACT along with good grades, then your application will automatically get the highest attention.

4) Extracurricular activities: If you have taken part in extracurricular activities which are unique, they will definitely complement your application. You need to show that you have the passion for your favorite extracurricular activity. It will make the high school officials interested.

5) The essay: This is another important component of your application. It is the place where you can explain your faults. Your essay should have three angles. These are:

i) A try at explaining your personality. Also to give explanations for your faults.

ii) Let the world know about your hope as well as vision

iii) If you are passionate about anything, let it come to light

6) Other components: Other than what are mentioned above, there might be some thing more that you want to mention in the application. Some more talents that you have but did not mention in the extracurricular part for that you can attach a video with the application. But do not overdo it. Only mention those which reveal a new aspect of yours.

Follow these rules for making an application and you will surely get the admission to your favorite college.