Need a New Game Plan for the ACT?

In an email to parents on 3/30 (with other information), PCHS stated "The Utah State Board of Education has canceled all state-level assessments for the year. They are looking at providing ACT vouchers to all Juniors so that they will have the opportunity to take the exams at a later date. Details are to follow in early April."  My interpretation, and recommendation to students, is that they should register for either the June, July or September National ACT.  Preferably June or July since September will likely be the last chance the class of 2021 will have to take the test to be considered for many colleges.

• Students that prepared for the March test, and are happy with their current scores, should continue to take a practice test each month to stay fresh and avoid scores from slipping. 

• If students want to continue to improve their scores, we recommend weekly ACT prep sessions over FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom. 

• If students were planning on taking the test “cold” in March, I strongly recommend they take a practice test as soon as possible.  Then, if unhappy with the results, they will have time to register for one of the ACT workshops starting the week of April 20th  or arrange for private tutoring.  

Register for a Free Virtual Practice Test here.

Register for an ACT Workshop here.

Register for the test at ACT.org. It may take up to 40 minutes to register, so be patient! The regular deadline for the June test is May 8th, and the deadline for July is June 19th.  You can also sign up to have an email reminder of the deadlines. 

Should I Still Take The ACT If I Want to Apply to a Test-Optional College?

Several high-profile schools – including Boston University, Tufts, University of Oregon, Oregon State, University of Georgia, and the University of California schools - have recently announced going “test-optional” for the class of 2021.  Test-optional policies give college applicants the choice of whether to submit their standardized test scores.  Does that mean your student doesn’t need to take (or study for) the ACT?  Not really.  It depends. A student will be better positioned with more options if they take - and excel - at the ACT.  Here are a few points to consider:

• Improving your ACT score is easier than improving your GPA. Most schools employ a holistic admissions policy; they look at grades, standardized test scores, recommendations, extracurricular activities, and personal essays. By junior year, the only factors that are still easily influenced are ACT scores, recommendations, and personal essays.  A strong ACT score will still enhance your student’s application even if the school has gone test-optional.   

• Test-Optional does not mean Test Blind.  If a student submits scores, the college admissions team will consider it as part of the application.  If a student scores lower on their test than they hoped, test-optional colleges give them a chance to demonstrate their strengths in other areas without the negative light cast by a low standardized test score. However, for a student who also has a lower GPA or lacks extracurricular achievements, solid SAT or ACT test scores may be the redeeming quality that helps them secure admission.

• Test scores are often required for merit-aid awards. Test scores factor directly into merit-aid awards for many colleges and universities that are test-optional. While test scores are not required for admissions, they are often used to award merit-based scholarships.

• NCAA Division 1 and 2 require ACT scores. NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 schools must meet minimum ACT or SAT requirements.  For more information click here. Similarly, NESCAC collects scores for their league recruiting rules.

For more information and a comprehensive list of test-optional colleges, check out the Fair Test website.

Free (Virtual) Practice Tests

Breakaway Prep Park City is pleased to announce that we are resuming our weekend practice exams, virtually!  We will also be adding a mid-week practice exam on Wednesdays. Until the risk of community spread of the coronavirus has subsided, students will complete their tests at home and log into a Zoom meeting where we will proctor the exam.   

Taking full-length proctored practice tests and working with instructors to thoroughly review the results is one of the best ways to prepare (and stay prepared!) for the real ACT.  Breakaway's first practice test with online proctoring will take place this Wednesday, April 8th at 10:00 am.

Here is how it will work:

• Register online here or send Kelly an email or text.  You must register at least a day in advance.

• Select “Print at Home” or “Safe Doorstep Drop Off” for your test delivery.  The tests are ~ 50 pages and should be printed double-sided.

• The day before the test you will either get an email with the test or we will drop it off safely at your doorstep. 

• The day before you and your student will get email instructions to log into the Zoom Test Room. They should download the Zoom app prior to test day.

• At 9:55 am, students should log into the Zoom Test Room. The test will start promptly at 10:00 am and finish by 1:15 pm.

• After the test, students scan their “bubble sheet” and email to kelly@breakaway-prep-park-city.com. Photos of the bubble forms will also be accepted, but poor-quality photos may delay results.

• We will score students' tests and return results within 1-2 days.

Higher Test Scores = More Merit Money. Really!

The higher your ACT score, the more merit-money will be available.  Raising your ACT score from a 25 to a 27 is worth an additional $3,000 in scholarship money at the University of Utah. Raising it another point – to 28 – is worth an additional $2,000.    

The U makes the scholarship process easy – simply submit your college application by the Dec 1st priority date, and you will automatically be considered for merit-based scholarships.  No additional application is necessary!

Your GPA is calculated from grades 9 through 11;  the ACT/SAT test scores which you included in your application are also used for scholarship selection.  The latest you can take the ACT is the official October test date – October 27, 2018 for rising seniors.

Here is a summary of some of the merit-scholarships offered at the University of Utah.  Each of these scholarships is for seniors of an accredited Utah high school, public or private, who will be entering as freshmen.  Renewable scholarships are contingent on maintaining specific GPA and number of courses per semester. 

Trustee Scholarships

The Trustee Scholarships are based on your GPA and ACT/SAT scores; the minimum qualifying GPA is 3.0 and ACT score is 26.  

Selective Merit Scholarships

The Utah Flagship Scholarship, Utah Academic Scholarship, and Academic Recognition Award

Utah also offers four scholarships rewarding top academic achievement.  Recipients are chosen by University committee from a pool of applicants, who qualify under an index that gives two-thirds consideration to GPA and one-third to ACT/SAT score.

The GPA/ACT requirements to receive a merit-based scholarship varies from year to year, depending on the funding that is available, size, and quality of the applicant pool.  I have included representative scores (from 2014-15) to provide context. These are NOT official cutoffs.

The President’s Scholarship

This is the big one!  Worth approximately $35,000, this scholarship covers tuition, fees, plus the choice of an on-campus housing award or a cash award.  Selection is based on academic excellence, and like the other merit scholarships, the cutoff GPA and ACT scores vary from year to year.  Shown below are representative of 2014-15.  The academic rigor of your high school classes are also considered as part of the selection process.

These are just a few of the scholarship opportunities at the University of Utah.  Check out their website for the most current information and a full listing.

Interested In Improving Your Test Scores?

Breakaway Prep Park City can help in a couple of different ways:

Free Practice Tests:  Breakaway Prep Park City offers free practice tests every Sunday and by appointment.  Sign up to reserve your spot today! Space is limited to 6 students.

One-on-One Tutoring:  One-on-one we can work at your pace, customizing the approach and materials to match your strengths and challenges.  No need to commit to a certain number of sessions or schedule.  Most students find they get the best results by starting test prep 10-12 weeks before the test working a combined 3 hours a week (tutoring and homework.)

When Should I Take the ACT?

Standardized test are carefully engineered to be sure there is only one right answer. Unfortunately, there is more than one right answer to “When should I take the ACT?”  At Breakaway Prep, we are passionate in our belief that every student is different – in what they know, what they need, how they learn, and when they should take the ACT.  

Luckily, there are only seven tests each year, so the choices are not infinite.  And contrary to urban legends, no date is easier or more difficult than the others.  The best date will depend on your schedule and your plans on applying for college.   Here are some considerations:

Have you covered the content in school?

Foes of procrastination will advise “the earlier, the better.”  However, it is important for students to have covered the material on the test prior to taking it!  This is particularly important in math where there will be questions on Geometry and Algebra II.  For high schools using an integrated curriculum, students will have covered most of the material with the completion of Secondary Math II in sophomore year.   

In Park City, high school juniors will take the test in March - for free!

March 12th, 2019 is the in-school administration date for Park City High School.  For many students this will be the first time they take the exam - which works well.  The results will be delivered in early April, and if the scores do need improvement, there are still plenty of opportunities (April, June, July, Sept, Oct, and Dec!) to retake the test.  

Do you anticipate having to re-take the test?

It is not unusual for students to re-take the ACT.  You should definitely re-take it if you felt sick or did not understand the directions.  You should also re-take the test if you felt the score does not accurately represent your capabilities.  According to research by ACT, 57% of students improve their composite score on the retest.  At Breakaway Prep we help students improve their scores 3-5 points on average.

You may wonder how colleges view taking the test multiple times.  First of all, they will only receive the scores that you send to them.  So, unless you send scores from multiple dates, they will not know how many times you took the test. 

Additionally, some colleges will “super-score” the test - take the highest score from each section across multiple test dates. Check each college admissions website to determine its super-score policy.  If you plan to apply to a college that super-scores, and one of your ACT sections is much lower than the others, then it makes sense to re-take the test, focusing on that section.

If you do anticipate taking the test multiple times, consider taking the test in December, April, or June of your junior year and requesting a copy of your test questions and answers for a $20.00 fee.  These can be very helpful to identify where additional studying is required.  We all learn the best from our mistakes!  If you forget to request the copy at the time of registration, you can still request ACT to send it for up to 3 months after your test date. 

What does your schedule look like?

What will you have time to study? Do you play a fall sport? Are you taking AP classes and taking the May AP exams?  Really think through what commitments you and your family will have around each of the test dates.   Don't look just at the test date, but go back 2-3 months to make sure you will have adequate time to study.  

The September test works well ONLY if you commit to studying over the summer.   There is also a new July date that gives you some time to study after the AP exams and school is out.  October probably wouldn’t work well if you play a fall varsity sport.  

When do colleges need your scores?

For seniors planning to apply Early Decision or Early Action, most schools will require ACT scores from the October test date at the latest. Taking the test in December would not be an option.  

Still not sure? 

Sign up to take a free practice test and consultation.  We will work through the pros and cons of all the dates and determine the perfect strategy for You! 

The table below provides the test dates, regular registration deadlines, late registration deadlines for 2018-2019.  The information is based on data from ACT.  *February and July dates are not offered in NYC.  *July date is not offered in California. The 2019 fall dates are not yet published, however we expect them to follow the same timeline. Visit ACT.org for the most up-to-date schedule. 

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2017-18 ACT Test Dates & Registration Deadlines

Test Date	Registration Deadline	Late Registration Deadline
September 8, 2018	August 12, 2018	August 26, 2018
October 27, 2018	September 28, 2018	October 14, 2018
December 8, 2018	November 2, 2018	November 19, 2018
February 9, 2019*	January 11, 2019	January 18, 2019
April 13, 2019	March 8, 2019	March 25, 2019
June 8, 2019	May 3, 2019	May 18, 2019
July 13, 2019*	June 14, 2019	June 24, 2019

ACT or SAT? Which is better for YOU?

Photo by Pablo Garcia Saldaña on Unsplash

Similarities

With the new redesigned SAT, these tests are more alike than different.  Similarities include: length of test, multiple choice format with optional essays, and tests for Reading, Writing and Language, and Math.  US Colleges accept scores from either ACT or SAT (or both).  Both tests offer accommodations such as extra time. 

Differences

Here are some of the differences that may cause a student to do better on one test vs. the other:

• ACT has more questions in less time.  You cannot waste a second.  For example, in the ACT English there are 75 questions in 45 minutes - a pace of 36 seconds per question!  On the SAT Writing and Language, there are only 44 questions in 35 minutes, for a pace of 47 seconds per question. 
• ACT has a science section; the SAT includes science in the Reading and Math sections. Both tests are not really testing your command of science.  Instead, they are testing your ability to read charts and analyze data.
• You can always use your calculator on the ACT Math section.  The SAT has a “No-Calculator” math section of 20 questions and a “Calculator OK” section of 38 questions.
• The SAT provides a “cheat sheet” of formulas and relationships that you may need on the Math test.  The ACT expects you to memorize these. Examples include area of shapes, special right triangles, and number of degrees in various shapes. Remember Pythagoreas' theroem?  You will need it on the ACT!
• Focus of the optional essays are very different.  The SAT asks you to read a passage and then analyze what you read. The ACT asks you to take a position on a contemporary concern and address three different perspectives.