The ACT Writing section is optional, but some schools require it—be sure to check your prospective schools’ application instructions. The team here at Test Innovators wants to ensure you are fully prepared for all parts of the test, including the Writing section.
The ACT Writing section includes one writing prompt. The prompt describes a complex issue along with three different viewpoints on that issue. You are required to evaluate and analyze the three different viewpoints, explain your own viewpoint on the issue, and describe the relationship between your viewpoint and the three viewpoints provided.
For the Writing section, you will receive a score in these four areas: 1. Ideas and Analysis 2. Development and Support 3. Organization 4. Language Use and Conventions
You will also receive one subject-level score that is the average of the four area scores. Scores for each area and the subject-level score range from 2-12.
It’s important to take a few minutes to plan your essay before writing. Take the first 3-5 minutes to read and reread the prompt and to jot down some ideas. A good essay is an organized essay. The next step is to write! Make sure you leave 3-5 minutes at the end to read over your essay and make any necessary revisions.
Here’s a general guideline: 3-5 minutes: read the prompt and make a plan 30-34 minutes: write 3-5 minutes: reread your essay and make revisions
The SAT Essay section is optional, but some schools require it—be sure to check your prospective schools’ application instructions. The team here at Test Innovators wants to ensure you are fully prepared for all parts of the test, including the Essay section.
Applying to independent schools can be daunting for students, families, and educators alike, and the testing component is no exception. When they begin the admissions process, few students have experience with high-stakes admissions tests. However, with the right preparation—including sufficient practice test opportunities—students can improve their test scores to help...
Summer is winding down but there’s still time to get in a good book or two before school begins again in a few weeks. The team at Test Innovators has put together a list of our top book suggestions for kids ages 8-12 with the help of actual kids in...
It’s test day! After all of your preparation and practice, you’re finally here—your hard work is about to pay off.
But, you don’t want to make an easily-preventable error on test day. Here’s a list of common mistakes that you should be sure to avoid:
The college admissions process is complex, and one of its most challenging components is ACT and SAT testing. These tests may seem like an overwhelming hurdle, but with a well thought out plan and an early start, you can achieve test success. Here’s how to craft a fool-proof strategy!
The most important rule of reading comprehension is that the passage will always provide all of the information needed to answer the question. This means that reading comprehension is really like a scavenger hunt, and your objective is to get as good as possible at sleuthing, finding the lines that...
A student growth percentile (SGP) describes a student's growth compared to other students with the same initial test score. SGP is similar to a standard percentile, but instead of measuring student achievement compared to peers, SGP measures comparative growth. The student growth percentile allows us to compare the growth of...
College may be very far from your mind right now. We don’t blame you!
You should absolutely be enjoying your freshman year and taking it all in. You also have an opportunity to do your future self a huge favor by starting college prep this year.
Meet Lev
Lev’s daughter Lily recently took the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). According to Lev, Lily was very driven and motivated. Although she’s only 14 years old, she has a pretty good understanding of what she wants to do and where she wants to go. This conviction led them to...
