Why the December ACT is the BEST CHOICE for Juniors!

What ACT Test Should I Take?

December is the most wonderful time of the year for so many reasons: Christmas, winter break, snowball fights, and more.  December also marks the last ACT test of the year, and the best test for high school Juniors to take. 

Why You Need the Test Information Release (TIR)

The Test Information Release (TIR) is a digital copy of the multiple-choice test questions, your answers, a copy of your answer document, the answer key, and the conversion table used in determining your ACT scores. TIRs are only offered during the December, April, and June test dates, and is something that you opt into during the ACT registration process. 

Having the TIR allows a student to see what questions tripped them up and where to focus their efforts when studying. We believe in working smarter, not harder!

Meet Michael

Michael was one of our students who did well on every section— in the mid 30's— except English. He was certain that it...

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NEW ACT Registration Guidelines!

act act prep guidelines new news Jul 12, 2022

How to Register for the ACT 

With the increase in security measures placed on the registration process, it is important to remember that these steps are being taken to make the test more secure and equitable for the students taking the test. However, this added security comes with a few more steps, and a few more challenges.

The attached sheet has the 2022-2023 test schedule and can also be found here. It correlates with the school year. 

REGISTER 

  • Go to ACT.org
  • Select Register for the ACT 
  • Then Create Account if it is your first time testing

To begin the process, you must set up an account for your child. Be sure to use a PERSONAL EMAIL. Your child’s high school assigned email address will deactivate after graduation. If you need to send scores after that for any reason, you may not be able to retrieve a verification code or other important information sent to the email on file. 

Use your child’s given name and that accurately matches...

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How to Score Well on a Standardized Test

Imagine: You head over to a friend’s house to help them with their landscaping project. You are greeted by a friend covered in mulch, dirt, and random pieces of weeds. She asks you to move her car from the driveway so the mulch truck can pull in. You happily grab her keys and get in the car, only to realize you cannot move her car. Sure, it has a steering wheel, the key fits the ignition, there is a brake pedal and gas pedal— but there is also a clutch, and you have never driven a stick shift!!

Even though you have driven for years and are a good driver, you cannot perform the simple task of backing out of the driveway and parking in the street because you have not been taught how to successfully manage the transmission yourself.

 

This is exactly why good students are not automatically successful on standardized tests: they have not been taught the strategies, tricks, or time management needed to crush the test!

 Standardized tests intentionally bait...

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What does "TEST OPTIONAL" really mean...?

What does "TEST OPTIONAL" really mean...?

Test optional means you do not need a test score attached to your application for your application to be considered complete and reviewed for admission. It does not mean that students without a test score will be reviewed in the same way, despite what some colleges advertise. Unfortunately, human judgment will still play a huge role in admission decisions during this coming application cycle. So much so that many admission reps at selective schools have shared with KMAC that if they took all of their applicants and spread them out in a room again, they are likely to select completely different students because the majority of their applicants are so similar in grades, test scores, resumes, and awards.

What we have witnessed repeatedly is that students who submitted test scores, even when their scores were slightly below the average for a school, have been granted acceptance at a much higher rate than students who do...

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Important ACT Information & Hints

act act prep tips Sep 23, 2021

HELPFUL HINTS

Have your child take the test early— definitely by sophomore year. They will take it with no pressure, better understand what is on the test and be better prepared later.

 

Register for the April, June or December test since it allows you to purchase the Test Information Release.

The other test dates do not. This is extremely valuable as many students will say “I have never learned some of the math.” or “I didn't do well on science because it was all physics and I have not had physics.” The reality however is that a student does not need Physics or high-level math to do well on the test, and getting their test back and being able to review it with a professional will help them understand this. It will also help them better prepare in the future and recognize the strategies needed more effectively.

If you do not select schools to receive your scores when you register, it is currently $16 per test date to send them later.

If you can...

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WHY THE ACT IS SO IMPORTANT

First and foremost, colleges are businesses!

There are many reasons that colleges prefer to see a standardized test. One reason is that the curriculum in each high school, and certainly each state varies. When you consider the resources some students have because of their school district versus the lack in others, it is easy to conclude that the level of exposure/mastery a student in a struggling district has when earning an A may be vastly different than a student who earns an A in a district rich with resources like 3D printers, computers for every student, large designated laboratories for science classes and so forth.

Colleges are all too familiar with students who have received generous grades due to being well liked, a star athlete, a star student who is popular, who are not prepared to handle rigorous classes in college. If you have heard your son or daughter mention that the teacher is giving students more time to finish the test because some did not, or someone is able to...

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Yes, We're Open!

Hey everyone!

We've gotten a few worried messages over the past few days asking if we are still open, and the answer is a resounding YES! KMAC operations will be continuing as normal, even with the recent K-12 closings. Our hearts go out to those who are affected by COVID-19, and we want to support anyone who needs help, academic or otherwise, in these scary times. 

  • We are open for business as usual, including one-on-one tutoring and our group ACT workshops.
  • If you are uncomfortable coming into our office, we can also schedule a meeting via Zoom or Facetime. We have been doing so for years, so this is no big deal!
  • We ask that if you are feeling sick, or come into contact with someone who is sick, please let us know and we will reschedule your appointment or schedule a virtual appointment.
  • We will be sanitizing our tables and office after each meeting to limit the spread of germs. We also have plenty of hand sanitizer and soap!
  • Just a reminder: wash your hands, cover your mouth...
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ACT vs. SAT: What to Know and Why It Matters

DO YOU GET GOOD GRADES BUT STINK AT TESTING?

This is something we hear a lot from parents. They worry a lot about standardized tests because their kid isn’t a great test taker, even though their grades may be great. Kelly says bad test takers are really our own fault.

Currently, our school system is set up to rigorously test students throughout the year. Students are expected to recall the information from certain chapters or topics on a test. However, standardized tests aren’t built like this, they’re built around problem-solving.

DEVELOPING PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS FOR STANDARDIZED TESTING

Here’s a great example that shows how this testing method is problematic. There’re third-grade level math questions on the ACT, and what we often see happen is students try to attach some complex formula they learned in high school to that problem. They try to recall their information rather than problem solve.

Standardized testing is a skill that is vital...

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