ACT Math For Dummies

Mark Zegarelli

• Publisher: For Dummies
• Year: 2011
• ISBN:
  9781118077405
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Manuali di studio
• Subtopic: Guide di studio ACT (American College Testing)

Multiply your chances of success on the ACT Math Test

The ACT Mathematics Test is a 60-question, 60-minute subtest designed to measure the mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken by the end of 11th grade, and is generally considered to be the most challenging section of the ACT.

ACT Math For Dummies is an approachable, easy-to-follow study guide specific to the Math section, complete with practice problems and strategies to help you prepare for exam day.

• Review chapters for algebra, geometry, and trigonometry
• Three practice tests modeled from questions off the most recent ACT tests
• Packed with tips, useful information, and strategies

ACT Math For Dummies is your one-stop guide to learn, review, and practice for the test!

Part I

Getting into the Act: An Overview of ACT Math Basics

In this part. . .

In Part I, you get an overview of the types of math problems you can expect on the ACT. I outline the math skills you need most, show you some helpful test-taking skills, and discuss some useful problem-solving strategies.

Chapter 1

Reviewing ACT Math Basics

In This Chapter

Beginning with an overview of ACT math

Identifying four important steps to success

Studying the six math topics tested on the ACT

Figuring out what’s not tested

All across the United States — and especially in the Midwest, South, and Rocky Mountain states — high school juniors and seniors prepare for one of the most action-packed Saturdays of their lives. No, I don’t mean the prom, graduation day, or a really excellent date with someone their parents don’t know about and wouldn’t approve of if they did. No, they’re preparing for something even more fun than that: the ACT.

And if you believe any of this fun business, you’re in for a real treat: I also have a fortune in gold from the prince of a country whose name you can’t pronounce all ready to deposit into your bank account. Yeah, right.

Well, okay, some of this is true: You will be taking the ACT (which I figured out the moment you picked up this book). In this chapter, I begin the work of helping you get ready for the most fun part of all, the 60-minute math test.

I start this chapter with a look at what’s on the math portion of the ACT. Then I provide a bit of advice about four general ways to improve your score. Finally, I list the six math topics that the ACT tests you on, including a breakdown of the specific skills within each topic that you should focus on to do well.

The chapter ends with a sigh of relief as you discover the math that you don’t need to worry about on the ACT. (However, the teacher of your current math class may still want you to know something about it, so don’t flush it from your memory just yet!)

Getting an Overview of ACT Math

The ACT contains five separate tests, which are always presented in this order:

1. English

2. Mathematics

3. Reading

4. Science

5. Writing (optional)

This book focuses exclusively on the second test, the ACT mathematics test. This math portion lasts for 60 fun-filled minutes and contains 60 questions. Generally speaking, questions appear roughly in order of difficulty.

The test is scored on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 36 (highest). Additionally, you receive three subscores in the following three separate areas

Pre-algebra and elementary algebra

Intermediate algebra and coordinate geometry

Plane geometry and trigonometry

Subscores are tallied on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 18 (highest). Note that, flying in t...