Pre-ACT

Why should a 9th grade student take the Pre-ACt 8/9?

According to a June 2020 report completed by ACT Research & Policy, the following benefits can come from students taking the PreACT:

• By accurately predicting ACT scores, the PreACT can help facilitate early college planning and preparedness.

  • There is a 0.91 correlction between PreACT scores and ACT scores. (A 1.00 implies perfect prediction.)

• PreACT ensures equitable access to practice for the ACT test.

• Schools that adopt the PreACT see improved student readiness for college and careers.

• PreACT scores identify students who are ready to succeed in advanced high school courses--including AP

• PreACT scores provide a baseline for measuring growth and to determine the impact of improvement efforts.

Pre-ACT Test features

The PreACT has questions appropriate for 9th grade students. The standard ACT is designed for 11th grade students. This allows for 9th graders to not feel as overwhelmed or inadequate to the task. 

The PreACT is 130 minutes with multiple choice questions answered with paper and pencil. The standard ACT is 175 minutes.

The PreACT has a valuable student report that has the following information:

• Scoring information for composite and subtests with predicted ACT composite scores

• Detailed results for each subtest and categories within those subtests

• List of responses and correct answers with ideas for progress on each subtest

• Personalized information about career areas of interest

A sample PreACT Student Report is included in the PDF below.

Learn More About the PreACT

Testing Tips & Information

• It is important to get adequate rest and nutrition before taking any test. 

• Bring appropriate pencils (no. 2 pencils are recommended) and an approved 4-function, scientific, or graphing calculator to the test.

• Answer all of the questions. There is no penalty for a wrong answer. 

  • Instead of focusing on finding the right answer, look for what you know is WRONG. This can help you eliminate options.

  • Choose your best guess when you are not sure of an answer. 

  • When there is only a minute or two left, fill in the rest of the answers for the section with the same letter. Pick your favorite letter combination (A/F, B/G, C/H, or D/J) and use that to fill in the remaining bubbles.