ACT Letter Home to Parents
BCHS JUNIORS will have the opportunity to take the ACT with Writing this year. The testing window for BCHS is at the end of March. The ACT will be administered on line with students testing on various days to accommodate computer access. This is a mandatory test for all Montana Juniors. Please review the parent letter that was sent to parents at 2024 ACT Parent Letter. Parents should also review the Six Things Stakeholders Should Know about State Testing for a complete overview of State testing in Montana. All Juniors were given the "Taking The ACT" workbook and directed to the ACT Academy for testing practices . There are also 14 critical non-test questions that students will be responding to on this ACT assessment. For a complete list of the 14 critical non-test questions go to 14 Critical Non-test Questions for MT.
We hope you will encourage your student to get plenty of sleep the night before, eat a healthy breakfast and come to school with a positive attitude on testing day.
Calculators and pencils are available to all students. CELL PHONES ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED DURING THE ACT TEST. CELL PHONES WILL BE TURNED OFF AND COLLECTED DURING THE DURATION OF THE TEST. If you have an emergency, please contact the High School Office at 683-2361 and Ms. Ferris will relay any emergency information to your child.
If your student has been permitted approved accommodations because they have an IEP, they will be testing on a different day (TBD). I will communicate with your student the day and times they will be completing the ACT.
The ACT is the qualifying exam for most colleges and universities. This test will provide students with a baseline for increasing their future scores. An official ACT Student Score Report will be mailed directly to your home as soon as scores are available. Students can use these reports for college admissions and scholarships.
This is the registration site for the NATIONAL TESTING DATES. Juniors taking the ACT in the Spring at BCHS do not register for that test.
JUNIORS ACT- TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
Juniors, please review the schedule. EVERY Junior needs to be present this day (unless other arrangements have been made).
7:50-8:10- Come straight to the BWLodge. Students will not be admitted after 8:10, so please be early.
Check in with Photo ID or Driver’s license.
Place personal belongings in the seminar room. Your phones/smart watches/earbuds will be turned off and left in your backpack.
Check in with testing staff (alphabetically by last name).
Once admitted into the gym, you will be asked to stay in the gym. Find your testing seat with a chromebook. DO NOT leave the screen that is pulled up.
You may bring approved calculators or check one out with Mrs. Gentry or Mr. Nordahl. Ms. Hacker will also have some calculators present. Calculators are NOT necessary for the test.
All scratch paper and pencils will be provided. Do not bring your own.
8:10-12:30- testing. There will be one break between tests 2 and 3. Snacks and water will be provided.
12:30- Clean-up: Please pick up your chairs when exiting the room.
12:30-1:40- Lunch: Must report ONTIME to 6th period.
The next two weeks, be looking at test prep material, some is available in the counseling office.
The night before...Eat a balanced meal, try to get 8 hours of sleep.
ACT ACADEMY:
BECAUSE PRACTICE MATTERS
Absolutely free, personalized practice for the ACT
ACT Academy™ is a free online learning tool and test practice program designed to help you get the best score possible on the ACT test, and well on your way to college and career success. Learn more about ACT Academy.
Start Practicing with ACT Academy
All students considering college should take either the ACT or SAT. Colleges need at least one test score for admissions purposes; the scores are also used for some scholarships. Montana has a strong focus on the ACT, which all students take free of charge in their Junior year. It is recommended that students take the test again on their own in the fall of their senior year. Students may take the SAT on their own as well, but only one of the tests is needed for college admissions purposes. An explanation of the differences between the ACT and the SAT may be found at the bottom of this page.
Also, go to http://www.kaptest.com/college-prep/getting-into-college/free-practice-test to take both an SAT and an ACT practice test, plus receive feedback on your scores. For more in depth SAT preparation, visit. http://www.khanacademy.org/sat for the Official SAT practice site. For official ACT practice resources and tips, visit http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation.html. There are also some great tips and advice in this booklet here - Test Prep ebook.
We strongly suggest that students take the Writing portion of the tests as many colleges require those scores.
ACT® VS SAT®: WHICH TEST SHOULD YOU TAKE?
SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON OF FORMAT, SCORING, AND CONTENT
Both the ACT and the SAT are nationally administered standardized tests that help colleges evaluate candidates. All schools accept either test interchangeably. So as you begin to think about college and creating the best application package possible, your admissions plan should begin with the question, "Which test should I take?" Here’s how to compare them.
COMPARE THE TESTS SO YOU CAN DECIDE WHICH YOU SHOULD TAKE
Test Structure and Format | ACT | New SAT |
|---|---|---|
Length | 3 hours, 35 min (with optional Writing Test) | 3 hours, 50 minutes (with optional Essay) |
Structure | 4 sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) plus an Optional Essay (or Writing Test) | 4 sections (Evidence-Based Reading, Writing, Math without a calculator, Math with a calculator) plus an Optional Essay |
Scoring | ACT | New SAT |
|---|---|---|
Score | Composite of 1-36 based on average scores from the 4 test sections 4 scores of 1-36 for each test. Optional Writing Test score of 1-36 (not included in the overall) | Score is out of 1600: 800 for Math, 800 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Optional, Essay receives a separate score, |
Wrong Answer Penalty | No penalty for wrong answers | No penalty for wrong answers |
Sending Score History | You decide which score is sent | Not yet known |
Content | ACT | New SAT |
|---|---|---|
Reading | Reading Comprehension | Reading Comprehension, Words in Context, Evidence Based |
Math | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry | Algebra, Data Analysis, Geometry, Trigonometry, Algebra II |
Science | Analysis, Interpretation, Evaluation, Basic Content, Problem, Solving | Science Insight Score |
Writing and Language | The Essay: Writing Test | Tests grammatical and rhetorical skills |
Essay | Optional final section, | Optional final section, 50 minutes, Separate score, Tests Reading, Analysis, and Writing Skills, Topic comes from a 750-word passage to be read on Test DaySix Things Stakeholders Should Know About Participation & State Testing in Montana |
SAT VS. ACT: UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES
There is no significant content difference between the ACT and the SAT, though the ACT’s math section is slightly more rigorous in testing complex math comprehension. If you are a student who does well in math, you might want to consider the ACT.
If you are a student who needs more time when taking an exam, then you might consider the SAT, since it clocks in at 3 hours and 50 minutes, while the ACT is allotted 3 hours and 35 minutes for testing.
The best way to determine which test best fits your test-taking style, test the tests themselves! See which exam fits you, take a practice test.
Or, take the quick diagnostic test to the right and see which exam is right for you.
In addition to comparing test structure and content, it’s also important to think about your college admissions timeline when making your exam decision.