ACT Test Updates and Mock Test Dates

ACT Postpones Online Testing for Fall ACT National Testing

Due to COVID-19 disruptions and required social distancing guidelines in test centers, ACT has made the decision to postpone the planned launch of online testing for national ACT test-takers. ACT is focused on adding additional testing capacity for students in need of full ACT scores for admission and scholarship applications. This decision will ensure ACT can build additional capacity for fall testing at national test centers and allow test centers to focus on providing a successful paper administration of the ACT test.

ACT's continued focus for fall testing is to expand test center capacity for students in need of scores from the full ACT test, while reducing complexity in testing for its customers, test center network, and education advocates and stakeholders.
 

“We were technologically on track—as in 26 miles into a 26.2 mile marathon—to launch online testing at national test centers this fall, but the world has changed, and so too must our plans and timeframe for launching this enhancement,” said ACT CEO Janet Godwin. “We’re going to focus our efforts on doing what we we’ve done well for 60 years and implementing what we can, when we can, safely and with confidence. That said, we will continue to build out this capability from a technology standpoint so we can be ready to deliver it when the market is ready.”

Additional Fall National Testing Updates

ACT recently added new test dates to give students more opportunities to take the ACT test this fall, and still plans to offer a remote proctoring solution, allowing students to take the test online, at home, or at other safe and convenient locations in late fall/early winter. This option will improve students’ test-taking experience and increase their opportunities for college admissions and scholarships, while setting the stage for the future release of section retesting and online testing.

Beginning in September 2020, ACT will offer the option to report a superscore for students who have taken the ACT test more than once, and will offer four fee waivers to qualifying students (double the number previously offered) to take the ACT test for free.

At this time, ACT plans to launch online testing in 2021 but will continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 on test center capacity to prioritize safe and equitable access to testing.

States and districts will still have the option of offering online testing as part of their in-school testing programs. Students who test outside of the U.S. will continue to take the ACT as a computer-based test.

Students can sign up to be the first to know when registration for the fall test dates opens.

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CONTACT US FOR A FREE PRACTICE TEST PACKET AND DIAGNOSTIC REPORT (VIEW SAMPLE STUDENT REPORTS: ACT, SAT, SSAT, ISEE, AND HSPT).

Vint Hill Educational Services offers mock tests for the ACT and SAT. These are taken in a group setting to simulate the testing environment. For the ACT and SAT, we will review the scores to see which test the student is scoring higher on. Since all colleges and universities accept both tests, it's beneficial to know if your child is scoring higher on the ACT or SAT. Check out our ACT versus SAT comparison chart for test differences. Sometimes the difference is like night and day, and for others, it may be a hairline higher on one versus the other. The student won't know which test is better, unless the individual takes one of each. We'll use our score concordance chart in order to make a test recommendation.

2020-2021 MOCK ACT/SAT TEST DATES  

AS OF AUGUST 2020, WE WILL BE PROCTORING TESTS VIRTUALLY ON SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 9:00 AM. UPON REGISTERING FOR A VIRTUAL MOCK TEST, YOU’LL RECEIVE A TEST PACKET VIA USPS MAIL.

PACKET INCLUDES:

• ACT/SAT ANSWER SHEET

• ACT/SAT TEST BOOKLET

• *ACT/SAT ESSAY PROMPT

• FOUR PAGES OF LINED PAPER

• TEST INSTRUCTIONS

  *THE ACT/SAT ESSAY IS OPTIONAL. STUDENTS INTERESTED IN TAKING THE ACT/SAT ESSAY WILL CONTINUE ON WITH THE TEST AFTER THE FINAL MULTIPLE-CHOICE SECTION (ACT SCIENCE OR SAT MATH).

PLEASE SIGN UP NO LATER THAN MONDAY DURING THE WEEK OF THE MOCK TEST. BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR ADDRESS DURING REGISTRATION, SO THAT WE CAN MAIL YOU A TESTING PACKET.

ALL ACT/SAT TESTS WILL BE PROCTORED VIRTUALLY THROUGH LESSONSPACE. THE DAY BEFORE EACH TEST, STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE AN EMAILED LINK TO JOIN THE VIRTUALLY PROCTORED TEST. THE TEST INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE USED SHOULD A STUDENT LOSE CONNECTION TO THE TESTING LOBBY.

ACT

Register for a mock ACT by clicking on a specific test date below. 

Mock ACT test dates:

• August 15, 2020

• September 26, 2020

• October 24, 2020

• November 21, 2020

• December 5, 2020

• January 30, 2021

• February 27, 2021

• March 27, 2021

• April 10, 2021

• May 8, 2021

SAT

Register for a mock SAT by clicking on a specific test date below.  :

Mock SAT test dates:

• August 29, 2020

• September 12, 2020

• October 10, 2020

• November 7, 2020

• December 19, 2020

• January 16, 2021

• February 13, 2021

• March 13, 2021

• April 24, 2021

• May 22, 2021

We also offer one-to-one mock testing at our offices. This consists of a full-length practice test for your child. Tests include: ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, and SAT Subject Tests. We provide the test booklet, essay booklet, answer sheet, testing timer, calculator, and pencils. 

We can send parents a practice test as well, to administer to their student in-home. We will send out a free practice test packet along with proctoring instructions. Parents must send the answer sheet back to us via email or mail. 

Mock ACT and SAT (Group Testing)

TESTS INCLUDE

ACT and SAT

$25 Registration Fee (1 Mock Test: ACT or SAT) Includes test scores comparison

Mock testing for the ACT and SAT, held in a group setting. Parents will receive a diagnostic score report and phone consultation. View sample student score reports: ACT and SAT. 

For the ACT and SAT, we will compare scores in order to determine which test is better for the student to take. See virtual mock test dates above for the 2020-2021 school year.

In-Office or In-Home Testing (One-To-One) 

TESTS INCLUDE 

ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT and SAT Subject Tests

$125 Standard Test (In-office)

$175 Special Accommodations (In-office)

FREE Parent Administration (In-home)

One-to-one testing at our offices or in-home testing proctored by a parent. A perfect fit for students that need to get acclimated to the test format, structure, and timing. This can help to relieve nervousness and anxiety. Parents have the option of administering the test to their child for free. They can also choose to drop their student off at our offices and we will administer the test to the student. Parents will receive a diagnostic score report from our testing software. View sample reports: ACT, SAT, SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT. An individual test scores comparison chart is provided for the ACT and SAT. 

One-To-One ACT Prep & SAT Prep: Washington DC & Northern VA

WHY DOES OUR PROGRAM WORK SO WELL? 
We often get asked this question. It’s because we focus on the individual student and not a classroom of students. The largest ACT/SAT score increases are seen when ACT/SAT prep is customized for the individual student. This is also why a baseline test is so effective. Our ACT/SAT practice test score reports are used as a student diagnostic. 

The ACT/SAT tutor will hone in on the specific needs for the individual. The diagnostic report reveals trends such as pacing and themes among certain question types. On the SAT reading section, the student may have the most trouble with command of evidence. For the ACT math section, it might be quadratic equations that need the most attention. Our ACT/SAT tutors will come to students’ homes on weekdays or weekends.

Contact us to get started with your customized ACT/SAT prep program.  

ACT STEM Report

The ACT recently released a report based upon students interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) college degrees. They found that 26% met or were above the STEM readiness benchmark. The STEM score on the ACT is meant to be an indicator of how a student will perform in a first-year college STEM course. More information can be found here: www.act.org/stemcondition 

The ACT science section is comprised of data representation, research summary, and conflicting hypothesis based questions. The student gathers required information from charts, tables, and graphs. It's good for the student to know the scientific method as well. The ACT math section tests pre-algebra, algebra I, algebra II, geometry, and trigonometry. The more difficult math questions are usually toward the end and so the student must also focus on pacing. 

Improving Test Scores

The key to improving test scores is to have the student take a full-length practice test. Based upon the results, a long-term plan is developed that involves practice assignments, timing drills, and additional full-length tests. The program is reassessed after each full-length practice test. This is why one-to-one is so effective. The tutor only works on the weaknesses for a specific student. The program is catered to the individual student and not a classroom of students. All of this takes place while leading up to the week of the test. It is not ideal to have gaps while prepping. 

Score improvement occurs after consistently practicing and learning concepts over a long period of time. Before starting a program, a full-length practice test is used as a baseline. The generated report reveals student strengths and weaknesses. For example, on the math section, the diagnostic report can reveal what the student has the most trouble with: radical equations, quadratic equations, slope, linear equations, distance, midpoint, etc.

In addition to knowing fundamental concepts, the student will need to know how to approach certain types of questions:

Know the Test – The first step to any prep program is to ensure the student knows the test. This consists of the following: timing for each section, number of questions, directions for each section, overall format, how the test and certain sections are scored, etc. Being aware of these will eliminate surprises and reduce test day anxiety. Most tests in high school classes are usually an hour long. ACT/SAT tests are new to most students and they usually don’t take tests at this length.

Pacing – Managing time is extremely important. Students may know the answer to every question, but only make it half-way through each section. Through administering hundreds of practice tests, we’ve seen this to be common. Students should plan on not getting stuck on every single question. Move on if a question stumps you. Regardless of the difficultly level, all questions are worth the same (except the new SAT will have an extended math thinking question). On the opposite hand, there are also those that rush and who do not recheck their work; even when there is ten to fifteen minutes left on the clock.   

Write, Bubble, and Erase – Each student can control his or her answer. Make sure to bubble clearly when answering. Also, be sure to erase all of an answer. These mistakes are normally careless errors. If a question is skipped on the current SAT, make sure not to bubble in that skipped space for the next question. Knowing where you are on your answer sheet is important. If you do skip a question, put a star next to it and skip it on your answer sheet. You can go back to it if there is time and it helps to remind you that you skipped that question. Always use a No. 2 pencil and write your essay as legibly as you can. The essay should be written on the lines only. The readers won’t see anything in the extra space margins.   

Make an Educated Guess – The student should answer every question on the ACT and new SAT. On the current SAT, the student needs to choose whether to skip or guess. There is a ¼ point penalty for answering incorrectly on the current SAT. Usually, students should guess on easy to medium questions, if they can eliminate two answers. For more difficult questions, students need to try and eliminate three answers before guessing. Using process of elimination will help narrow down answer choices.

With plenty of practice, students can be prepared to excel on test day! 

ACT Changes

The ACT has released a new practice test. Please email us for a copy. The changes aren't as significant as the SAT. You should get to know some of the updates:

SCIENCE

On the redesigned science section, there will be 6-8 conflicting viewpoint questions (there is usually 7), 12-16 data representation questions (there is usually 15), and 18-22 research summary questions (there is usually 18).

READING

Timing is still 35 minutes and there are still four passages (prose fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science - follows this order). There are 10 questions for a total of 40. The ACT introduced two short passages that address similar topics. The first questions are geared to the first passage.  The second set pairs to the second passage. The third will address both passages. 

ESSAY

The essay has changed dramatically. The essay section will now be 40 minutes instead of 30 minutes. It will still be optional and the essay score is not incorporated into the student’s overall composite score. The information in the prompt will be incorporated into the student's response. The scoring of the essay will also go through a change. 

The essay will have students evaluate various arguments, analyze evidence, and work to spark the student’s own ideas. They will be asked to review three opinions on an issue and develop an argument. Students analyze different points of view that are presented. Essays will now be scored in each of four categories:  organization, development and support, ideas and analysis, language use and conventions. Two different readers score the essay in the four categories on a 1-6 scale. Students will receive a score of 2-12 based upon these four categories. The score will be translated into a 1-36 scale. This changes from the old 2-12 scale.

Setting ACT and SAT Score Goals

It is important to set score goals based upon the student’s baseline practice test scores. You want to set score goals for each section of the test. The goals are based upon the middle 50% scores, for the last freshmen class, to get accepted to a certain college or university. This is why it’s especially important to take a full-length practice test as an initial diagnostic. Not only does it reveal the weakest areas for the student, but it also helps in determining score goals. Another important aspect to taking a practice test is that it will reveal how much prep is needed.

Local Virginia, Maryland and DC middle 50% ACT/SAT scores:

American University:

SAT Middle 50%: 1180-1360 (Critical Reading and Math)

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 27-31

Catholic University:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 510-610

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 500-610

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 22-27

Christopher Newport University:

SAT Middle 50%: 1070-1230 (Critical Reading and Math)

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 23-27

Frostburg State University:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 430-540

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 430-530

SAT Writing Middle 50%: 420-510

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 18-22

College of William and Mary:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 630-740

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 640-730

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 29-33

Georgetown University:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 660-750

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 660-750

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 29-33

George Mason University:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 530-630

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 520-620

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 24-28

George Washington University:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 610-700

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 590-690

SAT Writing Middle 50%: 600-700

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 27-31

Howard University:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 460-680

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 470-670

SAT Writing Middle 50%: 430-670

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 19-29

James Madison University:

SAT Middle 50%: 1180-1270 (Critical Reading and Math)

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 26-28

John Hopkins University:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 680-780

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 660-740

SAT Writing Middle 50%: 660-760

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 31-34

Longwood University:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 460-540

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 460-550

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 19-23

Loyola University:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 560-640

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 540-630

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 25-29

Marymount University:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 460-560

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 470-570

SAT Writing Middle 50%: 460-560

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 20-24

Old Dominion University:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 470-570

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 460-560

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 18-23

Radford University:

SAT Middle 50%: 950-1100 (Critical Reading and Math)

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 19-24

Salisbury University:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 540-620

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 540-610

SAT Writing Middle 50%: 530-610

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 22-26

Towson University:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 500-590

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 490-580

SAT Writing Middle 50%: 500-580

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 21-25

University of Mary Washington:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 500-590

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 510-620

SAT Writing Middle 50%: 490-600

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 22-26

University of Maryland:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 620-730

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 580-690

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 29-33

University of Richmond:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 620-720

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 590-690

SAT Writing Middle 50%: 600-690

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 28-31

University of Virginia:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 630-740

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 620-720

SAT Writing Middle 50%: 620-720

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 29-33

Virginia Commonwealth University:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 500-600

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 500-610

SAT Writing Middle 50%: 490-590

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 21-26

Virginia Tech:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 580-680

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 540-640

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 25-30

Washington and Lee University:

SAT Math Middle 50%: 660-720

SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%: 650-740

SAT Writing Middle 50%: 650-730

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 30-33