ACT Math/Science Chapter Overviews

Math
Overview
The purpose of this lesson is to introduce and discuss both the ACT and the
Huntington course. By the end of this lesson, your students should be able to:

I. Look realistically at the ACT

II. Describe the format and timing of the ACT

III. Utilize the Huntington DASH

IV. Identify the different ACT Test sections

V. Recognize Huntington’s Three Steps to Success

VI. Calculate a raw score, and with the appropriate table, a scaled score

VII. Formulate realistic score goals and determine improvement necessary to

achieve them

This lesson sets the tone for the entire course. It has been designed to instill familiarity
with the ACT and how this exam works. It is also a general overview of the question
types, all of which are discussed in far greater detail throughout the course.

This lesson appears in both the English/Reading and Math/Science course books and
teacher’s guides. The lessons are identical except for the page numbers, so make sure
you match your teacher’s guide to the book your student is using.
Chapter 1
The purpose of this lesson is to introduce the basics of arithmetic for the ACT. By
the end of this lesson, your students should be able to:

I. Understand the number properties of positives, negatives, evens,

odds, primes, and zero

II. Calculate using order of operations

III. Resolve pattern questions

IV. Identify multiples, divisors, and prime factorization

V. Work with exponents, radicals, perfect squares, and scientific notation

This unit serves as the building block for all the math skills tested on the exam. It is
especially important that lower-scoring math students are comfortable and familiar with
the material presented in this lesson by the end of class.

Chapter 2
The purpose of this lesson is to introduce the basics of geometry for the ACT. By
the end of this lesson, your students should be able to:

I. Develop an understanding of lines and angles

II. Show an understanding of quadrilaterals, including rectangles, squares,

rhombuses, parallelograms, and trapezoids

III. Demonstrate a grasp of the fundamentals of perimeter, area, and volume

IV. Recognize the different parts of a circle

V. Apply fundamental circle principles to arcs and sectors

The rules for lines and angles are essential knowledge for the ACT. This lesson is
intended to give students all of the information they need concerning these subjects as
they pertain to all ACT geometry questions. Knowledge of quadrilaterals and circles is
also critical for the ACT. This lesson is intended to give students all of the information
they need concerning these shapes.

Math 3
The purpose of this lesson is to introduce algebra for the ACT and examine how it is
tested. By the end of this lesson, your students should be able to:

I. Create algebraic expressions from word problems

II. Work with variables and manipulate monomials

III. Combine polynomials

IV. Solve algebraic equations and inequalities

V. Work with functions

VI. Apply Substitution to make difficult algebra problems easier

This is a foundation lesson. Algebra is considered by many to be the most difficult math
tested on the ACT. This lesson is essential for mastery of basic and advanced
concepts. Make sure that students understand this material and leave this class
comfortable with basic algebra.

Math 4
The purpose of this lesson is to continue the examination of ACT arithmetic. By the
end of this lesson, your students should be able to:

I. Calculate percents and decimals

II. Convert fractions to percents to decimals

 III. Work with and construct ratios and proportions

IV. Solve for different types of averages

V. Explain the difference between median and mode

VI. Understand and determine Probability

VII. Calculate the Possibility of combinations

VIII. Work with Logic as it is tested on the ACT

This unit builds on material covered in Math One, and should be seen as the next step
in developing student mastery for the ACT. The Teacher’s Guide contains a great deal
of supplemental information concerning each concept, so prepare thoroughly for this
lesson.

Math 5
The purpose of this lesson is to further introduce the elements of geometry for the
ACT. By the end of this lesson, your students should be able to:

I. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of triangle geometry

II. Apply Triangle Inequality to ACT geometry questions

III. Calculate the perimeter and area of a triangle

IV. Identify and work with the various special right triangles

VI. Utilize the Pythagorean Theorem

 VII. Apply principles of trigonometry

VIII. Calculate the various trigonometric functions

IX. Determine trigonometric identities

X. Graph trigonometric functions

This lesson is very challenging and requires excellent preparation. Do not attempt to
teach this material before fully reviewing and understanding the concepts and questions
contained herein.

Math Six
The purpose of this lesson is to explore the more advanced algebraic concepts and
operations tested on the ACT. By the end of this lesson, your students should be
able to:

I. Work with polynomials and factors of polynomials

II. Identify solutions for quadratic equations

III. Solve for multiple equations

IV. Express variable relationships

V. Solve logarithms

VI. Graph points and equations on the coordinate plane

VII. Calculate slope, midpoint, and distance of points on the coordinate plane

VIII. Display a basic understanding of conic sections

IX. Manipulate objects in the coordinate plane using transformations

X. Solve problems involving matrices

The concepts covered in this lesson are among the most challenging in all of ACT math.
Students should strive to master this material, as advanced algebra is the key to many
of the toughest questions.

Science
Chapter 1
The purpose of this lesson is to discuss the ACT Science Test and to introduce the
Huntington approach to ACT Science. By the end of this lesson, your students
should be able to:

I. Identify what the ACT Science Test really tests

II. List the Three Steps to Success for ACT Science

III. Assess experimental design and identify variables

IV. Comprehend the different ways to present scientific data

ACT Science may intimidate some students. Be encouraging. In this first lesson, you
are not even reviewing science content. This lesson is an introduction to the graphs,
tables, charts, figures, and passages that are used to present scientific content. Focus
on this first step to mastery: understanding the data.

Chapter 2
The purpose of this lesson is to examine the scientific content of the ACT Science
Test. By the end of this lesson, your students should be able to:

I. Grasp basic concepts in biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth/space

sciences

II. Answer questions based on unfamiliar topics

This lesson tackles the scientific portion of ACT Science. There is a lot of science
terminology to cover, so be prepared.

Chapter 3
The purpose of this lesson is to explore the passage formats and question types of
the ACT Science Test. By the end of this lesson, your students should be able to:

I. Recognize the three different ACT passage formats

II. Approach the different types of questions with confidence

III. Anticipate the way the test-maker thinks