ACT Introduces "ACTive Prep":
The Official Test-Prep Software for the ACT Assessment

September 29, 1999

IOWA CITY, Iowa—Students preparing for the ACT Assessment can now get high-tech help from the experts with ACTive Prep, a new, interactive CD-ROM produced by ACT. ACTive Prep is the official electronic guide to the ACT Assessment, the college entrance and placement exam which is accepted by virtually all colleges and universities in the nation. The CD-ROM is available in two versions for home and school use.

ACTive Prep can be ordered online, through regular registration for the ACT Assessment or by calling ACT at (319) 337-1429.

"ACTive Prep offers students a unique opportunity to prepare for the ACT Assessment in a rich, multimedia environment," said ACT Vice President for Development Cyndie Schmeiser. "It uses state-of-the-art technology to let students know what to expect when they take the exam."

ACTive Prep takes students on a tour of "InterACTive University," a virtual college that offers real ACT tests in the four subject areas of the ACT Assessment—English, reading, mathematics and science reasoning. Four virtual college students, called StudyBuddies, accompany users on a guided tour through InterACTive University and the exam. Colorful graphics, video, background music and animation help keep users interested and focused.

"ACTive Prep is a valuable educational tool for students," said Schmeiser. "It offers real, timed ACT tests, provides explanations for test answers, interpretation of scores, and it helps users develop a customized study plan based on the results of an individual placement test. Students who follow the study plan can make themselves stronger in areas where their scores indicate improvement is needed."

ACT tested the new software on college-bound students.

"The ACTive Prep software gives you what you want," said high school student Bryan Rennekamp. "It tries to cater to you, while also trying to help you prepare. I especially liked how it lets you customize things like the soundtrack music."

Points of interest on ACTive Prep include:

• Orientation—When users visit InterACTive University for the first time, they go through the Orientation, where a StudyBuddy provides an overview of the campus, describes the Placement Test, and explains how to use the Personal Digital Assistant, which helps users take notes, bookmark sections of the software, save test scores, keep track of their study path and navigate through the program.
• Placement Test—Users have an opportunity to take a short Placement Test, which will be used to develop a customized Study Path through the software. If users have already taken the ACT and have their scores available, they can enter the scores instead of taking the Placement Test.
• Online Registration—Users learn how to register for the ACT Assessment, plus anyone connected by a modem or network to the World Wide Web can register for the exam online through ACTive Prep.
• The Testing Center—Besides registering for the test, users who visit this part of InterACTive University can learn what to expect the day of the test, general test-taking strategies, how to interpret your scores, and you can take a Practice Test.
• The Student Union—Provides a link to ACT's website and the game "Testing 1,2,3."

"The best preparation for the ACT Assessment is to take a series of challenging courses in high school," said Schmeiser. "Test preparation cannot replace years of hard study. It is our hope that ACTive Prep will help students prepare by making them comfortable with the test format so they will be more confident and suffer less anxiety on the day of the test."

 

 

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