ACT Administration Protocols 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student with a medical emergency needs to leave the testing room mid-section. What protocol applies?
- The student forfeits the test and must reschedule
- The student's test booklet is sealed, the incident is reported, and ACT determines score validity (Correct answer)
- The student is allowed to return and resume where they left off
- The administrator pauses all students until the situation is resolved
Correct answer: The student's test booklet is sealed, the incident is reported, and ACT determines score validity
When a medical emergency occurs, the administrator seals the materials, documents the incident, and ACT evaluates whether any scores can be reported.
Question 2: What action must a test administrator take if they suspect a student of cheating during the ACT?
- Immediately remove the student from the room
- Warn the student privately and monitor closely
- Observe discreetly, document the behavior, and report it via an irregularity report (Correct answer)
- Ask the student to move seats and continue
Correct answer: Observe discreetly, document the behavior, and report it via an irregularity report
Administrators should not interrupt testing; instead, they should discreetly observe, document specific behaviors, and submit a formal irregularity report.
Question 3: Before distributing test booklets, what must the test administrator verify about each booklet?
- That they are shrink-wrapped
- That the booklet serial numbers are recorded on the seating chart (Correct answer)
- That each booklet color matches the student's registration
- That they are arranged alphabetically by student name
Correct answer: That the booklet serial numbers are recorded on the seating chart
Serial numbers must be recorded on the seating chart to maintain chain-of-custody and test security.
Question 4: When the ACT Writing section is administered, how long do students have to complete it?
- 30 minutes
- 40 minutes
- 45 minutes (Correct answer)
- 60 minutes
Correct answer: 45 minutes
The ACT Writing (Essay) section has a 40-minute time limit for the standard administration.
Question 5: A student finishes a section early. According to ACT protocol, what may the student do?
- Begin working on the next section
- Review their work within that section only (Correct answer)
- Sleep or rest quietly with materials closed
- Work on schoolwork from their bag
Correct answer: Review their work within that section only
Students may review their work within the current section only and may not advance to or work on any other section.
Question 6: What is the purpose of the ACT Test Supervisor's Manual?
- To provide score interpretation guidance for counselors
- To outline the step-by-step procedures for administering the ACT correctly (Correct answer)
- To list approved accommodations for students with disabilities
- To describe the ACT score reporting timeline
Correct answer: To outline the step-by-step procedures for administering the ACT correctly
The Test Supervisor's Manual provides detailed, sequential instructions to ensure standardized and compliant ACT administration.
Question 7: Which of the following items is expressly prohibited in the testing room during the ACT?
- No. 2 pencils
- Approved four-function calculators
- Earplugs without electronics
- Mechanical pencils (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Mechanical pencils
Mechanical pencils are not permitted during the ACT; only No. 2 soft-lead wooden pencils are allowed.
ACT Administration Protocols 3
A student with a medical emergency needs to leave the testing room mid-section.
What protocol applies?