Grade: Grade 9 Subject: SAT/ACT Skills Unit: Diagnostic Assessment SAT: ProblemSolving+DataAnalysis ACT: Math

Practice Diagnostic

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What is a Diagnostic Assessment?

A diagnostic assessment is a test taken before beginning a study program to identify your current strengths and areas for improvement. For SAT/ACT prep, diagnostics help you create an efficient study plan by showing exactly which skills need the most work.

Starting your SAT/ACT preparation with a diagnostic test is essential. Rather than studying everything equally, a diagnostic helps you focus your time where it matters most. This personalized approach is more effective than generic test prep.

Overview of the SAT and ACT

Feature SAT ACT
Sections Reading & Writing, Math English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing (optional)
Time 2 hours 14 minutes 2 hours 55 minutes (+40 min. for optional Writing)
Scoring 400-1600 (two sections combined) 1-36 (average of section scores)
Calculator Allowed on all math Allowed on math section only
Penalty for Guessing No penalty No penalty

SAT Skill Domains

Reading & Writing

  • Craft and Structure: Word meaning, text structure, author's purpose
  • Information and Ideas: Central ideas, evidence, inferences
  • Standard English Conventions: Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure
  • Expression of Ideas: Transitions, revision, synthesis

Math

  • Algebra: Linear equations, systems, functions
  • Advanced Math: Quadratics, polynomials, exponentials
  • Problem Solving & Data Analysis: Ratios, percentages, data interpretation
  • Geometry & Trigonometry: Area, volume, triangles, circles

ACT Skill Domains

  • English: Usage, mechanics, rhetorical skills
  • Math: Pre-algebra through trigonometry
  • Reading: Prose fiction, social science, humanities, natural science
  • Science: Data representation, research summaries, conflicting viewpoints

How to Use Your Diagnostic Results

  1. Identify weak areas: Which question types did you miss?
  2. Note time issues: Did you run out of time on any section?
  3. Create a study plan: Prioritize your weakest skill areas
  4. Set goals: Target specific improvement in each area
  5. Track progress: Take periodic practice tests to measure growth

Starting in 9th Grade

Beginning SAT/ACT awareness in 9th grade gives you a major advantage. You have time to build skills gradually through regular coursework while also doing targeted practice. Focus on building strong fundamentals now, and more intensive prep can happen in 10th-11th grade.

Examples

Review these sample question types you will encounter on diagnostics and actual tests.

Example 1: SAT Reading - Central Idea

Question Type: Which choice best describes the main idea of the passage?

Strategy:

  • Read the entire passage first for overall understanding
  • Look for the thesis or main argument
  • Consider what all paragraphs have in common
  • Eliminate answers that are too narrow (only about one detail)
  • Eliminate answers that are too broad (go beyond what's stated)

Tip: The main idea is usually introduced early and supported throughout.

Example 2: SAT Math - Linear Equations

Problem: A phone plan costs $25 per month plus $0.05 per text message. If the monthly bill is $40, how many text messages were sent?

Step 1: Set up the equation

Let t = number of texts

25 + 0.05t = 40

Step 2: Solve for t

0.05t = 15

t = 300

Answer: 300 text messages

Tip: Word problems test your ability to translate English into math equations.

Example 3: ACT English - Grammar

Question: Which is grammatically correct?

A) Each of the students have finished their test.

B) Each of the students has finished their test.

Analysis:

  • "Each" is singular and requires a singular verb
  • "Have" is plural; "has" is singular
  • Correct answer: B) "Each...has finished"

Rule: Words like "each," "every," "everyone," and "nobody" are always singular.

Example 4: ACT Science - Data Interpretation

Question Type: Based on the graph, what happens to plant growth as temperature increases from 20C to 30C?

Strategy:

  • Read the axis labels carefully
  • Identify the trend between the specified values
  • Look for increases, decreases, or no change
  • Don't assume trends continue beyond the data shown

Tip: ACT Science tests your ability to read data, not memorize scientific facts.

Example 5: Time Management

Scenario: You have 35 minutes for 27 questions. How should you pace yourself?

Calculation: 35 minutes / 27 questions = about 1.3 minutes per question

Strategy:

  • Don't spend more than 1.5 minutes on any single question
  • If stuck, mark it and move on
  • Return to marked questions if time permits
  • Never leave questions blank (no guessing penalty)

Tip: Practice under timed conditions to build pacing instincts.

Practice

This mini-diagnostic samples different question types. Track which areas feel strongest and weakest.

1. (Reading) In the phrase "the author's tone is skeptical," what does "skeptical" most nearly mean?

A) Angry   B) Doubtful   C) Supportive   D) Indifferent

2. (Grammar) Choose the correct sentence:

A) The team are playing their best game.   B) The team is playing its best game.   C) The team are playing its best game.   D) The teams is playing their best games.

3. (Algebra) Solve: 3x - 7 = 14

A) x = 3   B) x = 7   C) x = 21   D) x = 9

4. (Algebra) If 2(x + 5) = 22, what is x?

A) 6   B) 8   C) 11   D) 12

5. (Data Analysis) If 40% of 200 students passed a test, how many passed?

A) 40   B) 60   C) 80   D) 120

6. (Grammar) Neither the teacher nor the students ______ ready for the fire drill.

A) was   B) were   C) is   D) be

7. (Reading) A "central claim" in an argument is:

A) A supporting detail   B) The main point the author argues   C) A quote from an expert   D) Background information

8. (Math) What is 15% of 60?

A) 6   B) 9   C) 12   D) 15

9. (Science Reading) If a graph shows temperature rising while ice volume decreases, the relationship is:

A) Direct/positive   B) Inverse/negative   C) No relationship   D) Cannot determine

10. (Strategy) If you are unsure of an answer on the SAT or ACT, you should:

A) Leave it blank   B) Guess randomly   C) Eliminate wrong answers, then guess   D) Spend as much time as needed

Click to reveal answers
  1. B) Doubtful - Skeptical means questioning or doubting something.
  2. B) The team is playing its best game. - "Team" is collective singular in American English.
  3. B) x = 7 - 3x = 21; x = 7.
  4. A) 6 - 2x + 10 = 22; 2x = 12; x = 6.
  5. C) 80 - 0.40 x 200 = 80.
  6. B) were - With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the nearer subject (students = plural).
  7. B) The main point the author argues - Central claim is the thesis or main argument.
  8. B) 9 - 0.15 x 60 = 9.
  9. B) Inverse/negative - As one increases, the other decreases.
  10. C) Eliminate wrong answers, then guess - No guessing penalty, so never leave blank; strategic guessing improves odds.

Check Your Understanding

Reflect on your diagnostic experience.

1. Why is it important to take a diagnostic before starting test prep?

Reveal Answer

A diagnostic identifies your specific strengths and weaknesses before you invest study time. Without a diagnostic, you might waste time on skills you've already mastered while neglecting areas that need work. An efficient study plan targets your actual gaps. The diagnostic also establishes a baseline so you can measure improvement over time.

2. What should you do if you run out of time on a section during a diagnostic?

Reveal Answer

First, note where you were when time ran out - this is valuable information about your pacing. Then, continue working (marked as "extra time") to see how you would have done with more time. When analyzing results, consider both your "in-time" performance and whether time management is a skill to practice. Many students improve significantly just by practicing pacing.

3. How should your study plan differ if you miss mostly reading questions versus mostly math questions?

Reveal Answer

Your study plan should prioritize your weakest areas. If reading is weakest, focus on building vocabulary, practicing passage analysis, and working on reading speed. If math is weakest, review foundational concepts you missed and practice problem types that gave you trouble. A balanced approach that slightly emphasizes weak areas is usually most effective - don't completely neglect stronger sections.

4. Why is starting SAT/ACT awareness in 9th grade helpful?

Reveal Answer

Starting early provides several advantages: (1) You can build skills gradually rather than cramming. (2) Your regular coursework in math and English reinforces test skills. (3) You have time to identify and address weak areas without pressure. (4) You can develop good habits like vocabulary building and reading regularly. (5) By 11th grade when most students test, you'll have a significant head start compared to those just beginning prep.

🚀 Next Steps

  • Review any concepts that felt challenging
  • Move on to the next lesson when ready
  • Return to practice problems periodically for review