MATH ON THE ACT TEST
written by Sparknotes and the American College Testing company the makers of the test.
The Content of the Math Test The ACT Math Test covers a broad array of topics, from simple topics like pre-algebra to more difficult ones such as trigonometry. You shouldn’t assume that the pre-algebra questions will be a thousand times easier than the trig questions, though. To compensate for their relative difficulty, ACT usually uses the basic format to ask you questions on trig. Pre-algebra questions, on the other hand, run the gamut of difficulty, so don’t slight them in your m00ath review. Below, we’ll run through the entire content of the ACT Math Test, listing topics according to mathematical subject area. We won’t bother describing the topics here because the majority of this section is devoted to reviewing all the concepts in depth. Don’t panic about the length of this list: its length actually benefits you. Because the Math Test covers many topics, it can’t devote more than one or two questions to most of them. So if you completely blank on the rules for perpendicular lines, you won’t lose a significant number of points—especially if you guess well. Also, note that this list covers all the topics that could, not all the topics that will appear. A number of these topics will not appear on the ACT you take. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t review, but it does mean that you shouldn’t worry. As part of our review of ACT Math, which takes up the last two thirds of this section, we will tell you which topics appear often and which pop up only occasionally.
For a quick review and a breakdown for the number and types of problems on the ACT test just follow my sparknote links below for each discipline.
5th grade-Pre-Algebra |
Algebra 1 |
Plane and Coordinate Geometry |
Trigonometry |
Algebra 2 |
Number Problems |
Absolute Value |
Number Lines & Inequalities |
SOHCAHTOA |
Solving & Factoring Quadratic Equations |
Multiples, Factors, & Primes |
Exponents and Roots |
The (x,y) Coordinate Plane |
Solving Triangles |
Solving Systems of Equations |
Divisibility and Remainders |
Series |
Distance and Midpoints |
Trigonometric Identities |
Relationship between Sides of an Equation |
Percentages |
Substitution |
Slope |
Trigonometric Graphs |
Functions |
Ratios and Proportions |
Simplifying Algebraic Expressions |
Parallel & Perpendicular Lines |
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Matrices |
Mean, Median, & Mode |
Writing Expressions & Equations |
Graphing Equations |
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Logarithms |
Inequalities |
Solving Linear Equations |
Conic Sections |
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Probability |
Multiplying Binomials |
Angles |
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ACT TEST Study Help Websites
Website |
My Notes |
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This is the actual test registration site. Beside the registration information, check out the left margin where you can learn test taking tips, test day routines, sample questions, and which calculators are prohibited. |
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My personal favorite site, especially for the math test. It tells you how many of each type of question and excactly what you need to learn. Read each chapter for some great information. |
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Great practice test. |
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Over 1000 short practice ACT Tests made from recent test. |
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McGraw Hill Textbook division practice test. Some very good short test that are usually found at the end of the chapters in their books. |
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Khan Academy (Professor Khan and Bill Gates Foundation) video on items in the ACT Test. This site also has thousands of videos available for when you find your math or language weeknesses. |
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Great upto date practice tests. |
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Great practice tests and you can decide what subject to major in or determine the lenght of the test. |
SAT TEST Study Help Websites
Website |
Notes |
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Information from the SAT and College Board |
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My personal favorite site, especially for the math test. It tells you how many of each type of question and excactly what you need to learn. Read each chapter for some great information. |
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Great practice test and you can decides what subject to major in or determine the lenght of the test. |
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Great upto date practice tests. |
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Good practice test from the SAT creators. |
ASVAB
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
Study
Help Websites
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