PreACT 9 Topic Breakdown

*The PreACT 9 includes experimental questions in each section which do not count towards a student’s score.

English

The English test measures your understanding of effective writing. The test includes three passages in which certain phrases or sentences are underlined. You will need to choose the multiple-choice answer that best completes each passage based on your knowledge of grammar, punctuation, topic organization, word choice, style, and tone.

Math

The math test measures your ability to solve problems using logical reasoning rather than memorizing complex formulas. You will answer questions related to number and quantity, algebra, functions, geometry, and basic statistics.

Reading

The reading test measures your reading comprehension and logical thinking abilities. The test includes three longer passages and a pair of shorter passages drawn from literary narratives and informational texts, such as those in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. You will answer questions related to main ideas and details, structure and purpose, and cross-text connections.

Science

The science test measures your ability to interpret and analyze scientific information. The test includes several passages about topics like biology and ecology, chemistry and physics, and Earth and space science. The information is presented using reading passages as well as graphs and figures. Questions will ask you to interpret the data in the passage, understand experimental tools, methods, and design, and draw conclusions and make predictions based on the text.

English Test

• Production of Writing Questions (27-33%)

  • Topic Development

  • Organization, Unity, and Cohesion

• Knowledge of Language Questions (12-18%)

  • Concision and Precision

  • Style and Tone

• Standard English Convention Questions (48-55%)

  • Punctuation

  • Other Grammar and Usage

  • Sentence Structure and Formation

Math Test

• Preparing for Higher Math (77%)

  • Number and Quantity (10-13%)

  • Algebra (17-23%)

  • Functions (17-23%)

  • Geometry (10-13%)

  • Statistics and Probability (10-13%)

• Integrating Essential Skills (23%)

  • Connect ideas from different areas of math,

  • Apply skills in real-world contexts,

  • Solve problems that require multiple steps,

  • Interpret and evaluate mathematical information.

Modeling: At least 20% of the Math Test consists of modeling questions, which require students to interpret, analyze, and apply mathematics to real-world situations, often using tables, graphs, diagrams, or word problems

Reading Test

• Key Ideas and Details (52-60%)

  • Key Ideas

  • Details

  • Inferences

• Craft and Structure (28-36%)

  • Text Structure and Purpose

  • Words in Context

• Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (12-16%)

  • Reasoning and Evidence

  • Cross-Text Connections

Science Test

• Interpretation of Data (23%-50%)

  • Manipulate and analyze data presented in tables, graphs, and diagrams

• Scientific Investigation (15%–35%)

  • Understand experimental design and procedures, identify variables and controls

  • Compare, extend, and modify experiments

• Evaluation of Models, Inferences, and Experimental Results (19%–38%)

  • Judge the validity of information and formulate conclusions

Test Prep Chicago can help your student prepare for the new PreACT 9. Note that Test Prep Chicago is a licensed participant in the NTPA ACT Affiliate Tutor Program. Through our connection, we have been aware that such a change might occur, and our team had already begun creating new PreACT 9 Secure curriculum. As such, students enrolled or looking to enroll in any courses or one-day workshops, or students beginning individual tutoring, can be assured that the content they are being taught will reflect the content seen on the new exam. All of our scheduled courses (sign up here) and one-day Palooza workshops (sign up here) will continue to run as planned, as will our individual tutoring sessions (sign up here), with the new PreACT 9 Secure content instead of the old CPS HSAT curriculum.

If you have more questions about the PreACT 9, its structure, or how it applies to the CPS Selective Enrollment High School Admissions process, visit this page on our website for more information.

New: Mindset Reflections for ACT & SAT Prep Students Taking Practice Exams

Have a student enrolled in one of Test Prep Chicago’s ACT or SAT Prep courses, one-day workshops, or individual tutoring? We have great news: TPC has now implemented new, advanced analytical tools on our testing platform, Testpress, to help your student better understand their performance on our practice exams.

Once a student completes a Diagnostic or Final exam with us as part of one of our courses, or a Palooza Test as part of one of our one-day workshops, they receive access to detailed testing analytics, including information on their performance on each section, how many questions they left unanswered, how long they took on each question and each section, and more. Students also receive access to answer explanations for each question seen on the exam, regardless of whether they got it correct or not. 

Additionally, as students review the provided answer explanations for each question, they are now able to submit Mindset Reflections for any questions they answered incorrectly. Once submitted, students can access a detailed breakdown of their reflections, along with insights drawn from the pre- and post-exam questionnaires. This tool helps students understand why mistakes are occurring, identify recurring error patterns, and receive tailored test-taking strategies to support meaningful improvement as they continue to work toward success on the ACT and SAT.

If there is ever any confusion regarding how to use TPC’s Mindset Tool or access analytics on Tespress, students and parents alike can refer to our Testpress Tutorial Video (linked here). This video provides a step-by-step overview of how to log in to the platform, access materials, retake exams, review testing analytics, submit Mindset Reflections, and interpret the results. Parents are also welcome to reach out to our team, info@testprepchicago.com, with any questions at any time.

Have a student who is not yet enrolled in a course or workshop? There’s still time! TPC will be running one-day workshops (click here) for the ACT through early April, aligning perfectly with April ACT testing dates. Note that TPC is a Licensed Provider of Official ACT® Content, and our material includes Officially Licensed ACT® Content. For students looking for one-on-one prep, TPC offers individual tutoring (click here) for students taking either or both the ACT and SAT; individual students also get access to testing analytics and the benefits of Mindset Reflections!