Get Ready For The June 2024 ACT® Special Study!
ACT has been actively moving toward including online testing options to provide greater flexibility and accessibility for test-takers. This really isn’t news since ACT has been offering variations of online ACT® testing since as far back as 2013.
ACT’s transition to computer-based testing aligns with modern educational technologies and aims to offer an equivalent experience to traditional paper tests.
ACT’s introduction of these online tests has been planned carefully to ensure they maintain the integrity and expected standards of the ACT® assessments; hence why ACT’s computer-based testing has been in the works and slowly rolling out for over a decade now.
ACT’s Experimental Approach to Digital Testing
There has been talk within the testing community for some time about ACT potentially trying out experimental online testing formats.
And, during the June 2024 test, ACT plans to conduct a special study where test takers in online test rooms will be randomly selected to be given a modified version of the ACT® with fewer questions and more time per question—a very cool surprise for those lucky students!
This experimental approach aims to explore different testing conditions to help refine and improve the ACT® testing experience.
The random selection means that test takers won't know which format they've been assigned until test day. Also, it’s important to note that test takers selected during this particular session will not qualify for the Test Information Release (TIR), meaning the selected participants won't be able to review their answers post-test.
This special study not only reflects ACT's move toward adaptability to technological advancements and rapidly changing educational environments but also highlights its effort to innovate and potentially enhance how standardized testing is conducted in the future.
What Test Takers Can Expect If Randomly Selected for the June 2024 ACT® Special Study
For test takers participating in the June 2024 ACT®, here’s what they can expect:
Test Format Variability: Students will be randomly assigned one of two possible digital test formats when they opt for the online test:
one format will be the standard full-length digital ACT®, and
the other will be a shorter version that has fewer questions and allows more time per question.
The key here is that test takers won't know which format they'll be taking until the actual test day.
Registration Agreement: When students register to take the online ACT® in June 2024, they will need to agree to additional conditions. These conditions pertain to the unique aspects of the special study, such as accepting the randomized test format and understanding the specific terms of participating in this experimental approach such as foregoing the TIR.
Score Availability: Test scores will still be available within the typical 3-8 week window following the test date. However, there will be a delay in releasing these scores until additional study-related analysis is completed.
This means students might wait slightly longer than usual to receive their scores as the ACT® conducts its evaluations of the new test format.
Ineligibility for Test Information Release (TIR): Unlike other test dates, scores for the test takers who participate in this study will not be eligible for the Test Information Release (TIR).
This means students won't be able to obtain a copy of the questions, their answers, or the scoring key after the test. This is an important consideration if your students (and you!) typically use the TIR for further preparation or review.
Key Features of the Computer-Based ACT®
Technological Advantages: The computer-based ACT® (CBT) offers several technological enhancements designed to improve the testing experience:
Enhanced Pacing Features: The online platform helps manage time effectively during the test. It displays a timer that keeps track of the remaining time for each section, allowing students to pace themselves better.
Streamlined Essay Writing: For those taking the writing test, the CBT format allows essays to be typed, which can be faster and more legible than handwritten responses. This can help test-takers better organize their thoughts and edit their work with greater ease.
Built-in Calculator: The online format includes a built-in calculator for the math section. This feature ensures that all test-takers have access to the same calculator functionalities, leveling the playing field and reducing the need for physical calculators.
Accessibility Tools Integrated into the Online Testing Platform: ACT’s online testing platform includes several accessibility tools to accommodate diverse needs:
Color and Contrast Adjustments: These options help those with visual impairments by allowing them to alter color schemes and contrast levels for better visibility.
Text Magnification and Line Readers: Tools to enlarge text and assist with reading through line-by-line highlighting aid those who need visual support.
Answer Masking: This tool helps minimize distractions by allowing test-takers to hide answers they consider incorrect, focusing only on the remaining choices.
Practice and Preparation Tools: To help students prepare for the computer-based format, ACT provides a variety of online practice tests and resources:
Online Practice Tests: These are available through ACT’s official website and are designed to simulate the actual testing environment, giving students a practical feel of the ACT® CBT format.
Preparation Resources: ACT offers both free and paid test-prep materials that include practice questions, full practice tests, tutorials on navigating the CBT interface, and strategies for effective test-taking.
These features and tools are intended to make the ACT® more accessible and user-friendly, helping students to perform at their best on test day.
Implications for Tutors and Test-Prep Professionals
As the ACT transitions to include more computer-based testing options, we must adjust our teaching strategies to prepare our students effectively. Here’s how we can integrate these changes into our test prep:
Integrate Computer-Based Test Practice: Just as we’ve adapted to digital test prep for the new SAT, we should also incorporate ACT® practice tests that simulate the computer-based ACT®.
This includes using the official online practice tests provided by ACT, which mirror the interface and functionality of the actual test and ACT®-aligned test-prep materials offered by Clear Choice Prep.
Incorporating these practice tests and materials into your sessions will help your students become more comfortable with navigating the digital testing platform, using the built-in tools, and matching the CBT format's pacing.
Adapt Study Materials for Digital Test-Taking: Since the computer-based ACT® differs in interface and interaction from the paper-based version, we must adapt our study materials to include digital test-taking strategies.
This can involve teaching our students how to effectively use digital tools like the on-screen calculator and text highlighting features.
It's also important to train students on time management techniques specific to the digital format, such as understanding how to quickly navigate between questions and sections.
The introduction of new digital testing formats makes managing student expectations crucial. Make sure that your students fully understand what to expect from the June 2024 online ACT® and are fully prepared for both confirmed and potential changes.
Educate your students about the confirmed features of the computer-based test, such as the layout and the types of questions.
At the same time, prepare them for potential experimental formats like the shorter versions of the test that are being trialed. Explain the implications of these formats on their testing strategy and scoring.
Be sure to remind them that the content tested remains the same, the only change is to the number of questions and the overall duration of the test.
Preparing your students well in advance of the June online ACT® will not only help your students adapt to the new format but also instill confidence as they go into the test fully prepared for the potential format variations.
What Tutors and Test-Prep Professionals Should Watch For: Feedback and Experiences
As the ACT expands its testing formats to include more computer-based options, we play a critical role in how our clients understand and navigate these changes.
One key area we need to focus on is gathering feedback from our students who participate in the June 2023 special study. This feedback is invaluable for several reasons:
Real-Time Learning Issues: Our students can provide firsthand accounts of the digital interface, the functionality of built-in tools like the calculator, and the effectiveness of time management features.
Their experiences can highlight specific challenges or advantages that take time to be apparent from outside the testing environment.
Test Anxiety and Interface Navigation: Students’ comfort levels with the digital format can significantly affect their performance. Feedback on these aspects can help us develop strategies to alleviate anxiety and improve navigation skills, ensuring our students are as prepared as possible.
Adaptability to Format Changes: With the ACT experimenting with different test lengths and formats, understanding how students adapt to these changes can guide us in preparing our future test-takers for similar variations.
The insights gained from student feedback can directly influence our tutoring methods and the development of preparation materials. Here’s how we can use this information:
Customize Tutoring Sessions: If certain sections of the computer-based test prove challenging for multiple students, we can tailor their sessions to focus more on these areas.
For instance, if a student struggles with the digital format of the science section, additional practice using similar formats can be integrated into their tutoring sessions.
Update Preparation Materials: Based on student feedback, we can revise our prep materials to include more digital practice content or emphasize strategies for managing digital test-taking specifics, such as clicking through different types of questions or using digital tools.
Share Best Practices: Collecting and synthesizing feedback from various students allows us to identify best practices and common pitfalls. Sharing these insights through tutoring sessions, blog posts, or workshops can help a broader audience of students to prepare more effectively.
By actively engaging with the feedback and experiences of students, we can ensure our teaching methods and materials are up-to-date and as effective as possible.
As the ACT continues to innovate and adapt to the evolving educational landscape, the June 2024 special study presents a unique opportunity for both students and tutors.
This experiment with a new format not only challenges conventional testing norms but also opens up new avenues for learning and preparation.
By staying informed, gathering feedback, and adapting strategies accordingly, we can significantly enhance the test-prep experience for our clients, ensuring that our students are not only prepared for the content of the test but are also comfortable and confident enough in the materials to excel—regardless of format!
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