Takeaways from Strategies for the Computer-Based ACT

Digital tests call for digital strategies

The era of the Enhanced ACT has arrived, which means that the exam will be administered nationally both on paper and on digital devices. Should you take the ACT on a computer if you can help it? If so, what do you need to know in advance? Amy and Mike invited educator Adam Snoza to review strategies for the computer-based ACT.

Listen to the full episode HERE before or after you review the key takeaways, topic breakdowns, and questions answered from this episode.

Key Takeaways

• Two main digital ACT platforms: PSI (national testing) and TestNav (in-school)

• Key differences include timer visibility, calculator options, and annotation tools

• Paper testing still offers some advantages, but digital has benefits like easier bubbling

• Limited official digital practice tests available currently

• Extensive use of scratch paper strongly recommended for all sections of digital ACT

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Topical Breakdown

Digital ACT Platforms

• PSI system for national Saturday testing

• TestNav for in-school/state testing

• ~1 million students take in-school digital ACT annually

• Trend moving towards more school-day and digital testing

Key Platform Differences

• Timer visibility: Can be hidden on PSI, always visible on TestNav

• Calculators: Scientific only on PSI, Desmos available on TestNav (but clunky)

• Answer eliminator: More user-friendly on PSI

• Highlighting: Disappears between questions on both (unlike SAT)

Digital Testing Tips

• Adjust screen color (e.g., dark mode) to reduce eye strain

• Skip direction screens immediately to save time

• Be careful to fully select answer choices (easy to misclick)

• Use scratch paper extensively for all sections, not just math

Digital vs. Paper ACT

• Digital benefits: Faster bubbling, on-screen timer, fewer blank answers

• Paper advantages: Easier annotation, seeing multiple questions/graphs simultaneously

• Experts still lean towards recommending paper when given the choice

Practice Resources

• Limited official digital practice tests currently available

• 4 new enhanced digital tests coming in Wiley book (May 2025)

• Unofficial platforms offer additional computer-based practice

• Paper practice tests still valuable for content review

Scratch Paper Strategies

• Use for all sections, not just math

• Write down key information for science graphs

• Create reading passage "maps" or paragraph markers

• May require student advocacy to get enough scratch paper

Next Steps

• Students should practice with both paper and digital formats when preparing

• Take full digital practice tests to understand the interface

• Use legacy paper tests for additional content review and practice

• Be prepared to advocate for scratch paper use in all sections during the actual exam

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Q&A

Computer-Based ACT Formats

What are the different formats for taking a computer-based ACT?

• PSI system ("national testing system") - used for Saturday national test dates

• TestNav system ("state or district test") - used for in-school testing

Which format are students more likely to encounter?

• TestNav (in-school) is likely more common, with roughly a million students taking in-school ACTs annually

Differences Between Platforms

What are the key differences between the national and in-school testing platforms?

1. Timer visibility:

   • National: Can hide timer, pops up for 5-minute warning

   • In-school: Timer always visible

2. Calculator options:

   • National: Scientific calculator only

   • In-school: Desmos graphing calculator available (but can be clunky to use)

3. Answer eliminator function:

   • In-school version more clunky, requires extra clicks

4. Highlighting:

   • Both allow highlighting, but in-school version requires extra clicks

   • Fatal flaw: Highlighting disappears when moving to next question (unlike SAT)

Benefits of Digital ACT

What are some benefits of taking the ACT digitally?

• Faster to click answers than bubble in

• On-screen timer for better time management

• Fewer blank answers due to final check prompt

• Ability to flag questions for review

Practice Materials

How much official digital practice material is available?

• Currently limited: One legacy ACT and one enhanced ACT in digital format

• Upcoming Wiley book will provide additional enhanced ACT practice tests

Strategies for Computer-Based ACT

What strategies should students use for the computer-based ACT?

• Adjust screen color (e.g., dark mode) for comfort

• Skip direction slides to save time

• Use scratch paper extensively for all sections, not just math

• Develop alternative strategies for passage mapping and annotation

Should students only practice on computer if taking a computer-based test?

• Practice with both digital and paper tests

• Use legacy paper tests for content review

• Use available digital tests to familiarize with the interface