2016 ACT Practice Initiative
As a response to the phaseout of the EXPLORE and PLAN tests for our 8th and 10th graders to help
predict their performance on and prepare them for the ACT, Collierville Schools will now provide that
opportunity to its 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th graders each September.
8th graders take an actual ACT test that has been pared down to match the original item numbers,
skills, and standards assessed by the EXPLORE in hopes of providing some early performance
feedback to our rising Freshmen. Current high school students take a full, proctored and timed ACT
test which, like the abbreviated version for our 8th graders, is intended to give students a better
grasp on their strengths and teachers a clearer direction for both sustaining and supporting future
learning. Students additionally have an earlier exposure to the ACT to begin building their comfort
with the testing format and experience, and because research indicates that students who begin
testing earlier and repeat testing show gains much higher than their peers who test later or only
once, it’s an important first step towards their readiness.
This document accompanies the individual student score reports and will explain the ACT College
and Career Readiness benchmarks. Additionally, the process for translating student scores for
each subject area and compiling a composite are provided along with a skills analysis for each
subject area test. Students and parents can use these item analyses as a great tool to identify areas
of need as a next step towards improving scores.
And because so many of the TNReady standards align with and overlap those of the ACT, we would
hope that these next steps would garner improvement on each.
College and Career Readiness Benchmarks
The Benchmarks are scores on the ACT subject-area tests that represent the level of achievement
required for students to have a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of
obtaining a C or higher in corresponding credit-bearing first-year college courses. These college
courses include English composition, college algebra, introductory social science courses, and
biology. Based on a sample of 214 institutions and more than 230,000 students from across the
United States, the Benchmarks are median course placement values for these institutions and as
such represent a typical set of expectations. The ACT College Readiness Benchmarks are:
College Course
ACT Subject Area Score
English Composition
18 : English
College Algebra
22 : Mathematics
Social Sciences
22 : Reading
Biology
23 : Science
The basis for the required 21 cumulative score to earn the HOPE Scholarship is based on these
readiness benchmarks. Regardless of your performance on this test, don’t feel that it is an accurate
and final prediction of your future success. Use these scores and these skills analyses to focus your
work on making improvements where they are needed while continuing to strengthen those areas in
which you have an aptitude.
It’s important to note that of last year’s graduating class only about 25% of students met all four
benchmarks nationally, and about one-third failed to meet any of the four benchmarks. At Collierville
High, just shy of 50% of our graduates met all four of their benchmarks. We think that practice tests
like these and the results our students receive helps them outperform their peers across the state
and across the nation.
College and Career Readiness Standards
Standards refer to the specific skills and knowledge a student needs to master in order to be
successful either in their collegiate studies or in their chosen career. What your score says is that
you may have mastered some skills, but you still need work on others. If you take your score and
compare it to the score ranges attached to the standards, your performance will indicate that you’ve
likely mastered the skills for all the score ranges below your score and possibly some above. So as
you look at your score, think about those standards above your score and how you might find some
help in strengthening your abilities with those.
The standards associated with our practice are available for download by clicking here or at the
following web address:
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/education-and-career-planning/college-and-career-readinessstandards.html
Please note that there are no standards designated for scores below 13. ACT explains on their
standards site that scores below a 13 indicate that students “are most likely beginning to develop
the knowledge and skills assessed in the other ranges.”
Most importantly, at the bottom of each standards sheet there is a link to “Ideas for Progress.”
Clicking the link for each score range will give you specific feedback on what you need to know to
improve your score within that range.
Creating Your Score
At the top of each of your four subject area reports, beneath your name, you’ll see information similar
to the graphic below:
Pay closest attention to Your Score - this is the number of questions you answered correctly out of
the total number of questions (not the percentage) - this is your Raw Score. You need this number
to determine your Scale Score. Write each Raw Score in the spaces provided below:
English - __________
Mathematics - __________
Reading - __________
Science - __________
Use the chart to find your Raw Score for each subject area to determine your Scale Score. Write
each Scale Score in the spaces provided below:
English - __________
Mathematics - __________
Reading - __________
Science - __________
To determine your Composite Score - your overall performance for the test - add the four Scale
Scores together & divide that number by four. Round any fraction to the nearest whole number:
Sum of scores - ____________ / 4
=
Composite Score - ____________
Raw Scores
Scale Scores
Scale Scores
English
Mathematics
Reading
Science
36
75
59-60
40
39-40
36
35
73-74
57-58
-
38
35
34
71-72
55-56
39
37
34
33
70
54
38
36
33
32
69
53
37
35
32
31
68
51-52
36
34
31
30
67
50
35
33
30
29
65-66
48-49
34
32
29
28
64
46-47
33
31
28
27
62-63
44-45
32
30
27
26
60-61
41-43
31
29
26
25
57-59
39-40
30
27-28
25
24
55-56
37-38
29
26
24
23
52-54
35-36
27-28
25
23
22
49-51
33-34
26
23-24
22
21
45-48
31-32
24-25
22
21
20
42-44
29-30
23
20-21
20
19
39-41
27-28
21-22
18-19
19
18
37-38
24-26
20
17
18
17
35-36
21-23
18-19
16
17
16
32-34
18-20
17
14-15
16
15
29-31
14-17
15-16
13
15
14
27-28
11-13
13-14
12
14
13
25-26
9-10
11-12
11
13
12
23-24
7-8
10
10
12
11
21-22
6
8-9
8-9
11
10
18-20
5
7
7
10
9
16-17
4
6
6
9
8
14-15
3
5
5
8
7
11-13
-
4
4
7
6
9-10
2
-
3
6
5
7-8
-
3
-
5
4
5-6
1
2
2
4
3
4
-
-
1
3
2
2-3
-
1
-
2
1
0-1
0
0
0
1
Skills Analysis : English
Below is a list of the Grammatical & Rhetorical Skills tested in each individual question. There is
space below each question for notes & strategies you learn in ACT Prep, your class, or from ACT
30+ Tutoring sessions.
Passage One
The Hunt for Morel Mushrooms
1. Appropriate Alternatives : Precise Language & Diction
2. Comma Rules : Unnecessary or Superfluous Commas vs. Commas for Interrupters
3. Revision for Purpose : Precise, Specific, & Detailed Language & Diction
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Consistent Point of View : Second Person Pronouns
Revision for Purpose : Specific & Relevant Details
Simplification : Eliminating Wordiness & Redundancy
Logic & Coherence : Transitions between Paragraphs
Sentence Combining : Effective Combinations / Errors in Sentence Structure
9. Sentence & Combining Structure : Correcting Fragments, Run-ons, & Comma Splices
10. Comma Rules : Unnecessary or Superfluous Commas
11. Revision for Purpose : Specific & Relevant Details
12. Common Diction Errors : Then v. Than
13. Pronoun Usage : Antecedent Agreement
14. Transitional Terms : Improper or Unnecessary Transition
15. Sentence & Combining Structure : Correcting Fragments, Run-ons, & Comma Splices
Passage Two
The Amazing Monarch Migration
16. Two Issues : Superfluous Commas (used as a distractor) & Which vs. That
17. Modifiers : Adjectives vs. Adverbs + Superlative Forms
18. Simplification : Eliminating Wordiness & Redundancy
19. Comma Rules : Unnecessary or Superfluous Commas
20. Diction : Correct Adverb Usage Based on Sentence Context
21. Logic & Coherence : Effective Use of Transitions - Contrast
22. Dashes : Use of Dashes to Create an Interrupter
23. Modifiers : Adjectives vs. Adverbs
24. Parallelism : Maintaining Parallel Structure
25. Logic & Coherence : Logical Division of Paragraphs
26. Apostrophe Rules : Possessive vs. Plural - Improper Apostrophes + Superfluous Comma
27. Logic & Coherence : Diction - Correct Conjunction to Create Contrast
28. Comma Rules : Commas to create Complex Sentences : Incomplete , Complete
29. Parallelism : Maintaining Parallel Structure
30. Revision for Purpose : Appropriate Conclusion
Passage Three
Yo-Yos Spinning Through Time
31. Simplification : Alleviating Wordiness & Unnecessary Details
32. Simplification : Alleviating Wordiness & Unnecessary Details
33. Diction : Appropriate Conjunction
34. Revision for Purpose : Precise, Specific, & Detailed Language & Diction
35. Diction & Idiom
36. Appropriate Alternatives : Sentence Combining / Sentence Structure
37. Simplification : Eliminating Wordiness & Redundancy
38. Verb Tense & Form : Maintaining Consistent Verb Tense / Eliminating Improper Conjugations
39. Pronoun Case Agreement : Who v. Whom
40. Appropriate Alternatives : Sentence Combining / Sentence Structure
41. Diction : Appropriate Word Choice / Alleviating Wordiness
42. Logic & Coherence : Recognizing the Necessity of Relevant Facts & Evidence
43. Two Issues : Superfluous Commas + Verb Tense & Form
44. Superfluous Punctuation
45. Logic & Coherence : Proper Paragraph Order
Passage Four
Swimming in Open Water
46. Verb Tense & Form : Maintaining Consistent Tense & Eliminating Improper Conjugations
47. Diction : Correct Conjunction for Sentence Combining
48. Comma Rules : Superfluous Commas vs. Commas for Interrupters
49. Apostrophe Rules : Possessive vs. Plural - Improper Apostrophes + Superfluous Comma
50. Necessity of Revision, Addition, or Deletion : Relevant vs. Irrelevant Details / Redundancy
51. Revision for Purpose : Precise, Specific, & Detailed Language & Diction
52. Sentence & Combining Structure : Correcting Fragments, Run-ons, & Comma Splices
53. Logic & Coherence : Logical Order of Sentences in a Paragraph - Work Columns
54. Diction : Choice to Create a Modifier
55. Revision for Purpose : Precise, Specific, & Detailed Language & Diction
56. Simplification : Alleviating Wordiness & Unnecessary Details
57. Two Issues : Then v. Than + Comparative Form Modifiers
58. Two Issues : Simplification - Alleviating Wordiness & Redundancy + Appropriate Diction
59. Sentence & Combining Structure : Correcting Fragments, Run-ons, & Comma Splices
60. Revision for Purpose : Precise, Specific, & Detailed Language & Diction
Passage V
“All I Can Do Is Take a Picture”
61. Necessity of Revision, Addition, or Deletion : Relevant vs. Irrelevant Details / Redundancy
62. Sentence & Combining Structure : Correcting Fragments, Run-ons, & Comma Splices
63. Revision for Purpose : Precise, Specific, & Detailed Language & Diction
64. Appropriate Alternatives : Diction to Maintain Logic
65. Diction - Proper Preposition to Maintain Logic
66. Simplification : Alleviating Wordiness & Redundancy
67. Logic & Coherence : Logical Order of Sentences in a Paragraph
68. Simplification & Needless Transition
69. Appropriate Alternatives : Logical Comparison
70. Transitional Terms & Phrases
71. Subject / Verb Agreement
72. Unnecessary Punctuation : Incorrect Use of Colon
73. Revision for Purpose : Precise, Specific, & Detailed Language & Diction
74. Necessity of Revision, Addition, or Deletion : Logical Placement of Relevant Facts or Details
75. Appropriateness to Task : Relevance of Essay to Assigned Purpose
NOTES
Skills Analysis : Math
Below is a list of the skills associated with each individual question. Though some of these
questions were deleted from your test, all questions are included for both remediation & enrichment.
Highlighted questions are those you answered - alternate numbering appears after the skill.
1. Substitution/order of operations
(PEMDAS)
32. Pythagorean Theorem
33. Coordinate geometry – translations
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
34. Quadratic factors/sum and product of
roots
35 – 37: Interpreting data, percent’s, and
averages
38. Geometry (SOH CAH TOA)
Application
Manipulation variables
Simple equation
Pythagorean Theorem
Counting Principle
7. Percent problem
8. Inequality set up application
9. Angles of triangles
10. FOIL
11. Dividing fractions
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
Area/perimeter of trapezoid
Scientific notation
Logic/operation/application problem
Equation of a circle
Angles in triangles
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Functions
Factoring quadratic equations
Applying ratios
Arithmetic sequences
Application manipulation variables
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
Volume and area
Probability
Interest formula/substitution
Functions
Mathematical logic
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
Application (d=vt)
Linear equation/slope
Application systems of equations
Interpreting graphs
Geometry (SOH CAH TOA)
49. Definition/characteristics of polygons/
quadrilaterals
50. Slope-intercept formula (y=mx+b)
51. Measures of central tendency/
median
22. Exponent properties
23. Application ratio and perimeter
24. Slope between two points
25. Area of rectangles and triangles
26–28: Application of geometry: area,
52. Solving quadratic inequalities
53. Linear absolute inequalities
54. Trigonometric functions (post
Geometry)
55. Angles of polygons
!
56.
57.
58.
59.
dividing, and interpreting
29. Absolute value equations
30. Midpoint formula
31. Circumference
Absolute value inequalities
Congruent figures in triangles/slope
Logarithms
Trigonometric functions/domain and
range (post Geometry)
60. Surface area
Skills Analysis : Reading
Below is a list of the skills associated with each individual question. Though some of these
questions were deleted from your test, all questions are included for both remediation & enrichment.
Passage I - Prose Fiction
1. Characterization - Comparing character traits, interpreting comparative relationships
2. Drawing conclusions based on textual analysis
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Interpreting details in context
Characterization - analyzing character through actions
Drawing conclusions or making generalizations
Drawing conclusions or making generalizations
Extending the text - Inference based on analysis of factual details
8. Characterization - analyzing character through narrative description
9. Author’s Voice & Method - main purpose
10. Drawing conclusions or making generalizations based on context
Passage II - Social Science
11. Drawing conclusions or making generalizations based on context
12. Extending the text - Inference based on analysis of factual details
13. Drawing conclusions or making generalizations based on context
14. Analysis of factual detail / Factual Recall
15. Analysis of factual detail / Factual Recall
16. Drawing conclusions or making generalizations based on context
17. Author’s Voice & Method
18. Extending the text - Inference based on analysis of factual details
19. Analysis of factual detail / Factual Recall
20. Drawing conclusions or making generalizations based on context
Passage III - Humanities
21. Author’s Voice & Method - Purpose & function of paragraph
22. Details & Factual Recall
23. Drawing conclusions or making generalizations based on context
24. Drawing conclusions or making generalizations based on context
25. Understanding Vocabulary in Context
26. Extending the text - Inference based on analysis of factual details
27. Understanding Vocabulary in Context
28. Details & Factual Recall
29. Details & Factual Recall
30. Drawing conclusions or making generalizations based on context
Passage IV - Natural Science
31. Main Idea / Author’s Purpose - determine the main idea or central purpose
32. Author’s Voice & Method - Tone & Attitude
33. Details & Factual Recall
34. Details & Factual Recall
35. Extending the text - Inference based on analysis of factual details
36. Extending the text - Inference based on analysis of factual details
37. Details & Factual Recall
38. Author’s Voice & Method - Purpose & function of paragraph
39. Drawing conclusions or making generalizations based on context
40. Details & Factual Recall
Skills Analysis : Science Reasoning
Below is a list of the skills associated with each individual question. Though some of these
questions were deleted from your test, all questions are included for both remediation & enrichment.
Passage One
Data Representation
Biology - Genetics
1. Synthesizing Graphic Information
2. Supporting or Refuting Statements w/ Graphics
3. Synthesizing Graphic Information
4. Synthesizing Graphic Information
5. Basic Biology : Genetic Knowledge : Reading
Graphics
Passage Two
Research Summary
Biology - Genetic Engineering
6. Reading Graphic Information
7. Synthesizing Graphic Information + Drawing
Conclusions
8. Interpreting Experimental Design + Identifying Role
of Control
9. Interpreting Data from a Table
10. Interpreting Data from a Table
11. Drawing Conclusions Regarding Experimental
Purpose
Passage Three
Data Representation
Physics - Kinetic Energy
20. Predicting Outcomes Based on Data from Tables
21. Synthesizing Data from Tables to Draw a Conclusion
22. Drawing Conclusions from Diagrams
Passage Five
Data Representation
Earth Science / Geology
23. Interpreting Graphic Information
24. Interpreting Graphic Information
25. Using Graphic Data as Supporting Information
26. Applying Knowledge to Draw a Conclusion from
Graphics
27. Interpreting Graphic Information
Passage Six
Conflicting Viewpoints
Earth Science
28. Summarizing Information in a Diagram
29. Drawing Conclusions Based on Perspective
30. Drawing Conclusions Based on Perspective
31. Drawing Conclusions from Multiple Perspectives
32. Recognizing Valid Supporting Evidence
33. Summarizing Details from Individual Perspective
34. Recall of Facts to Formulate Estimation
12. Interpreting Relationships Based on Graphic
Representations
13. Estimating Values Based on Graphic
Representations
14. Predicting Data Based on Interpreting Graphic
15. Drawing Conclusions : Extrapolating Beyond Data
Points Given
16. Applying Knowledge of Kinetic Energy - Graphic
Representation
Passage Four
Research Summary
Physical Science / Physics : Electricity
17. Predicting Based on Comparing Data Tables
18. Graphic Translations of Data from Tables
19. Reading & Reorganizing Data from Tables
Passage Seven
Research Summary
Chemistry
35. Applying Research Results in Hypothetical Situations
36. Comparing Experimental Results to Draw Conclusions
37. Translating Research Results to Graphical
Representations
38. Analyzing Experimental Design
39. Applying Research Results in Hypothetical Situations
40. Applying Knowledge of Volume & Mass to
Experimental Results