ACT

The English section tests a student’s ability to use standard English grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and writing style effectively.

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Topics Covered:

• Production of Writing: purpose and focus

• Knowledge of Language: word choice, style, and tone

• Conventions of Standard English: grammar, usage, and mechanics

The Math section assesses a student’s skills in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and problem-solving, emphasizing logical reasoning and practical application. Questions generally start easier  and become harder as the test goes on.

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Topics Covered:

• Pre-Algebra: arithmetic, fractions, percentages, ratios

• Elementary Algebra: simplifying expressions, linear equations and inequalities

• Intermediate Algebra: quadratic equations, rational and radical expressions, systems of equations

• Coordinate Geometry: graphing lines, slopes, conic sections

• Plane Geometry: properties of shapes, area, volume, angles

• Trigonometry: sine, cosine, tangent, basic identities

The Reading section measures a student’s ability to comprehend and analyze passages from a variety of subjects, including fiction, social studies, and the humanities.

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Topics Covered:

• Key Ideas and Details: central ideas, summarizing, inferences

• Craft and Structure: word meanings, text structure, author’s purpose

• Integration of Knowledge and Ideas: evaluating arguments, comparing viewpoints

The Science section evaluates a student’s ability to interpret and reason with data, analyze experiments, and draw conclusions, rather than recall scientific facts. it's important to note that a small number of questions may require some background knowledge from general, introductory science courses. These questions are typically few in number and may involve basic concepts that are commonly taught in high school science classes

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Topics Covered:

• Biology: cell biology, genetics, evolution

• Chemistry: chemical reactions, stoichiometry, periodic table

• Earth/Space Sciences: geology, meteorology, astronomy

• Physics: forces, motion, energy, thermodynamics

The Writing section allows students to demonstrate their ability to develop a clear, well-organized argument on a given issue while considering multiple perspectives.

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Topics Covered:

• Writing a structured essay

• Considering multiple perspectives and supporting a viewpoint