Learning Express - ACT Word Games

Additional thanks to Eric Titner, production editor at LearningExpress, who worked to make this book the best it could be. Andrea Laurencell is in the trenches, teaching vocabulary and test preparation to students every day. Merci to you for reviewing the manuscript, and for your feedback and advice. And finally, writing two books in six months is difficult. Thanks to my family (Rita Sr., Rita Jr., Cheryl, John, Nathan, Colby, and Blake) for understanding where my priorities had to be this year. with Games Chapter 4 Crossword Puzzles
Chapter 5 Anagrams
Chapter 6 Acrostics
Chapter 7 Jumbles
Chapter 8 Word Searches
Chapter 9 Matching Column Games
Chapter 10 Double-Word Puzzles
Chapter 11 Cryptograms
Part 3 Set a Foolproof Strategy Chapter 12 Planning and Preparing
Chapter 13 Anxiety-Busting Exercises
Chapter 14 Test-Day Checklist
Glossary

That means youre already aware of the effect this exam can have on your future, and thats great. But youve also got homework to do, football games to attend, musical instruments and Spanish verbs to practice, chores to do, maybe an after-school job and other responsibilities, andoh yeaha social life to maintain. You dont have time to spend on more stuff related to school, much less exams that are probably months away at this point, right? But think about it like this: You probably play games of some kind or another, either on your mobile phone, computer, or a game console, several times a weekmaybe even every day. Playing those games can increase your online ranking, and maybe even make your friends jealous when you beat their high scores, but playing the games in this book can have a positive effect on your future. They can help you build a killer vocabulary and put yourself on stronger ground for gaining admission to the college of your choice. Before we get to just how these games can help increase your ACT scores, lets run through a bit about the test itself, so youll know exactly what to expect on test day.

What Is the ACT Exam? The American College Testing (ACT) assessment is one of two main standardized tests used by admissions teams to evaluate your potential fit as a student at their college or university. The ACT measures what youve learned in various academic subjectssee What Skills Are Tested on the ACT? for more information. (The other main standardized test is the SAT, which is an aptitude exam designed to measure the verbal and mathematical skills you will need as you progress through your academic career.) What Is the ACT Used For? Your high school may use your ACT score to evaluate the way your teachers are performing. They use these scores to decide which areas need improvement within the school as a whole, and which students need additional assistance in specific subject areas. College admissions teams use your ACT score as part of their evaluation process, to decide if you will be a good addition to the diverse group of students at that school. But thats not the only thing they look at.

Admissions teams look at individuals, not just at scores and grades. They want well-rounded students, not just those who can churn out perfect tests or straight As. Are you an athlete? Maybe youre an actor or dancer? How about an artist? Do you do volunteer work, speak another language, or organize events for your school? Make sure you mention all these things on your application, because admissions teams are looking for students who can contribute to the diversity of campus life. Dont worry if your GPA isnt perfectjust be sure to highlight the great work you do in other areas of your life. And with the help of this book, your English, reading, and writing ACT scores are sure to be included in the things you do well section! What Skills Are Tested on the ACT? The ACT is a national achievement and placement exam that tests your knowledge of key subject areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The optional ACT Plus Writing assessment also includes a 30-minute essay test that evaluates your writing skills.

The English section is made up of 75 multiple-choice questions. The mathematics section comprises 60 questions. The reading and science sections are made up of 40 questions each. The optional writing section consists of a short essay on a particular theme. Overall, the exam takes a little over four hours to complete (with an additional half-hour if you choose to take the ACT Plus Writing assessment). Who Takes the ACT? According to the American College Testing Program, Inc., the organization that administers the ACT, approximately 1.6 million students take the ACT every year.

But heres a little secretnot all of them prepare for the exam in advance. By using this book, youre giving yourself an edge over the competition! Where Do I Sign Up for the ACT? Registration forms and information for the ACT exam can be found online at www.actstudent.org. You can sign up for the ACT online with a credit card or request a paper application, which you can complete and mail in with a check or money order. When Do I Take the ACT? The ACT exam is administered six times a year, on Saturday mornings. You can find a current schedule online at www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html. You may take the ACT up to twelve timesbut only once per national test date.

Most students take the test twice: once as a high school junior, and once as a senior. According to the American College Testing Program, Inc., among the students who took the ACT more than once, 55 percent increased their composite score on the retest. Where Do I Take the ACT? You can take the ACT in one of many national and international testing centers. When you register by mail or at www.actstudent.org, youll be given a list of testing locations in the area of your choosing; just pick the one that is most comfortable and convenient for you. Its also a good idea to do a dry run before the actual test datefigure out how youll get to the test site around the same time of day as your test so you arent surprised by road closures, construction, train or bus delays, bad online directions, or other things that can make you late (and stress you out) the day of the test. If there is no ACT exam center within 50 miles of your home, if your religious beliefs prohibit you from taking tests on a Saturday, or if you are homebound or confined, you may request arranged testing.