Summary
In this fourth science ACT prep activity, students explore the TestNav online platform which they will use to take the ACT. They will become familiar with the program's embedded tools which are available to students during the test. Students will reflect on their preferences as they evaluate the usefulness of each available tool. This is the fourth activity in a 10-week "Power Up" series for ACT Prep.
Essential Question
How can I increase my ACT score?
Learning Objectives
Explore the available tools for use when taking the computer-based science ACT
Reflect on the usefulness of each tool to the timely completion of the science ACT
Evaluate when it is best to annotate on the screen and when it is best to make notes on scratch paper
Materials List
Activity Slides (attached)
Science Test Tools Hunt handout (attached; one per student)
Pen/pencil
Device similar to what students will take the ACT with the program TestNav pre-loaded
Goal Sheet from Week 1 (optional)
Introduction
10 Minute(s)
Use slides 1-4 to introduce the lesson and share the essential questions and learning objectives. Next, move to slide 5 and explain that today they will use the TestNav platform on their computers. Have students open TestNav on their computers but not sign in.
Students have to have this program on their device to take the online ACT at school. When they open the program, instead of signing in, have them click on “Practice Tests.” Explain that today they will not worry about the questions themselves, but the tools available to them when they take the ACT. Since the goal is to explore tools, have students select “Science” and then “Science- Untimed.” Explain that text-to-speech and screen reader options will not be available for the real test unless they have testing accommodations so we will not be exploring these as a whole class but they can on their own time if they like.
Ask students to click “Start” and then “Start” again to get to the questions and tools. Review the points on slide five regarding understanding where to find the tools. Ask what clues they see in the testing icons and text. Give students time to explore the tools as they toggle through the questions. Explain that they can read the passages and questions if they like, but the goal is to find all of the tools that they can and see how they work in the testing platform.
Remind them that clicking on lots of tools now, as opposed to durning the test, won’t harm any scores or break anything in the program, so they should take time to see what is offered and examine how the tools work.
Activity
20 Minute(s)
Move to slide 6. This slide shows all of the places they can click to access the different tools. Ask students to pause their exploration but leave TestNav open. Pass out the Science Test Tool Hunt handout to each student. Explain that now they have had time to explore they need to evaluate how helpful these tools really are. They should list as many pros and cons as they can for each tool. If there are any tools they missed finding in their exploration, help them find it or ask a friend to point it out.
After giving students a few minutes to make their lists, assign an Elbow Partner to compare answers. If their partner has an answer they do not, they can determine if they need to add it to their own list and if it is a pro or con for them. Remind students that it is good to be familiar with the tools and know which ones they want to use because the more time spent on the tools during the actual test, the less time there is to answer the questions.
Have students share out their thoughts on each tool to the class and point out anything they may have missed.
Wrap-Up
5 Minute(s)
Display slide 7. Explain to students that most national test centers have paper rather than computer-based tests and that even for their computer-based tests they will be given scratch paper to use. Note that there is no way to write on the test screen so if they have any computations to do that has to be done on scratch paper.
Have students navigate to question 7 of the TestNav science test. Explain that they will not be reading the entire passage at this time. Instead, they will be looking for what the passage says about the size of a rock trail in relation to the size of the actual rock. If the trail is 33cm wide about how wide was the rock? Give students a minute or two to answer the question using the back of their Science Test Tool Hunt as scratch paper. Then show slide 8 and have them follow along. Explain that this is a great example of when the tools available in TestNav are not enough to find the answer to a question. They may need additional supports or strategies to find the answer to a question.
Ask what other notes they may want to take on paper.
Explain that in the next few weeks we will practice when paper notes can be helpful in powering up their ACT scores, but to keep in mind when the computer-based tools may be helpful to use as well.
Display slide 9 to show this week’s unlocked achievement; TestNav tools.
In the time that remains, ask students to revisit their goal sheet from Week 1. Ask if they have worked on their selected actions and give them time to think about adding another to focus on over the next few lessons.
Next Step
Next week’s activity, Power Up: ACT Science Prep, Week 5 will cover interpreting trends in tables and graphs.
Research Rationale
Standardized testing in high schools has long been used as a metric for assessing college readiness and school accountability (McMann, 1994). While there has been debate surrounding the accuracy of such metrics, as well as concerns regarding equity, many institutions of higher education continue to make these scores part of the admissions process (Allensworth & Clark, 2020; Black et al., 2016; Buckley et al., 2020). In addition to admissions, it is important to keep in mind that standardized test scores can also provide students with scholarship opportunities they would not otherwise have (Klasik, 2013). Although the topic of standardized testing continues to be debated, effective test preparation can ensure that our students are set up for success.
With several benefits to doing well on college admissions tests, it is important to consider how best to prepare students for this type of high-stakes test. Students from groups that may historically struggle to find success, such as those in poverty or first-generation college students, especially stand to benefit from effective test preparation (Moore & San Pedro, 2021). The American College Test (ACT) is one option students have for college admissions testing that is provided both at national centers and school sites. Taking the time to understand this test, including the timing, question types, rigor, and strategies for approaching specific questions, can help prepare students to do their best work on test day and ensure their score is a more accurate representation of what they know (Bishop & Davis-Becker, 2016).
Resources
Allensworth, E. M., & Clark, K. (2020). High school GPAs and ACT scores as predictors of college completion: Examining assumptions about consistency across high schools. Educational Researcher, 49(3), 198-211.
Bishop, N.S. & Davis-Becker, S. (2016). Preparing examinees for test taking: Guidelines for test developers and test users. 2nd edition. Crocker, L. (Ed). In Handbook of test development (pp. 129-142). Routledge.
Black, S. E., Cortes, K. E., & Lincove, J. A. (2016). Efficacy Versus Equity: What Happens When States Tinker With College Admissions in a Race-Blind Era? Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 38(2), 336–363. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44984542
Buckley, J., Baker, D., & Rosinger, K. (2020). Should State Universities Downplay the SAT?. Education Next, 20(3).
K20 Center. (n.d.). Elbow Partners. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/116
Klasik, D. (2013). The ACT of Enrollment: The College Enrollment Effects of State-Required College Entrance Exam Testing. Educational Researcher, 42(3), 151–160. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23462378
McMann, P. K. (1994). The effects of teaching practice review items and test-taking strategies on the ACT mathematics scores of second-year algebra students. Wayne State University. https://www.monroeccc.edu/sites/default/files/upward-bound/McMannP.-the-effects-of-teaching-practice-review-items-ACT-mathematics-second-year-algebra.pdf
Moore, R., & San Pedro, S. Z. (2021). Understanding the Test Preparation Practices of Underserved Learners. ACT Research & Policy. Issue Brief. ACT, Inc. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED616526.pdf
