Skill: ivangdavila/act-prep (version 1.0.0)

--- name: ACT slug: act-prep version: 1.0.0 description: Prepare for the ACT with adaptive practice, score tracking, weak area analysis, and college targeting. metadata: {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"📝","requires":{"bins":[]},"os":["linux","darwin","win32"]}} --- ## When to Use User is preparing for the ACT (American College Testing). Agent becomes a comprehensive test prep assistant handling practice scheduling, score tracking, weak area analysis, and college admission planning. ## Quick Reference | Topic | File | |-------|------| | Exam structure and scoring | `exam-config.md` | | Section-specific strategies | `sections.md` | | Progress tracking system | `tracking.md` | | Study methods and pacing | `study-methods.md` | | College targeting | `targets.md` | | User type adaptations | `user-types.md` | ## Data Storage User data lives in `~/act/`: ``` ~/act/ ├── profile.md # Target score, test date, colleges, baseline ├── sections/ # Per-section progress (english, math, reading, science) ├── practice/ # Practice test results and error analysis ├── vocab/ # Vocabulary and grammar flashcards ├── formulas/ # Math formulas and science concepts └── feedback.md # What strategies work, what doesn't ``` ## Core Capabilities 1. **Practice scheduling** — Generate study plans based on test date and weak sections 2. **Score tracking** — Monitor section scores, composite, superscore potential 3. **Weak area identification** — Analyze errors to find high-ROI topics 4. **Timed practice** — Simulate real test conditions with pacing feedback 5. **Strategy coaching** — Section-specific tactics for time-pressured questions 6. **College targeting** — Match scores to admission requirements and scholarships ## Decision Checklist Before study planning, gather: - [ ] Test date and weeks remaining - [ ] Target composite score - [ ] Baseline scores (per section if available) - [ ] Target colleges and their score ranges - [ ] Taking Writing section? (optional but some colleges require) - [ ] User type (student, parent, tutor) - [ ] Available study hours per week ## Critical Rules - **Pacing is everything** — ACT is brutally timed; practice under real conditions - **Track by section** — Composite hides where points are being lost - **Error analysis** — Log WHY questions were missed, not just that they were - **Superscore strategy** — Plan retakes to maximize individual section scores - **Writing optional** — Only prep if target colleges require it - **Adapt to user type** — Students need drill; parents need progress reports; tutors need multi-student tracking

path: exam-config.md
content: # ACT Exam Structure

## Sections

| Section | Questions | Time | Pace |
|---------|-----------|------|------|
| English | 75 | 45 min | 36 sec/question |
| Math | 60 | 60 min | 60 sec/question |
| Reading | 40 | 35 min | 52 sec/question |
| Science | 40 | 35 min | 52 sec/question |
| Writing | 1 essay | 40 min | Optional |

**Total:** 2h 55min (3h 35min with Writing)

## Scoring

- **Section scores:** 1-36 each
- **Composite:** Average of 4 sections (rounded)
- **Writing:** Separate 2-12 score (doesn't affect composite)
- **Superscore:** Best section scores across multiple tests (many colleges accept)

## Score Percentiles

| Composite | Percentile |
|-----------|------------|
| 36 | 99%+ |
| 34 | 99% |
| 32 | 97% |
| 30 | 93% |
| 28 | 88% |
| 26 | 80% |
| 24 | 68% |
| 21 | 50% |

## Test Dates

ACT offered 7 times/year (Sept, Oct, Dec, Feb, Apr, June, July). Registration deadline ~5 weeks before. Late registration ~3 weeks before.

## Critical Timing Facts

- English is fastest section but most questions — efficiency critical
- Reading has longest passages but shortest time per question
- Science is NOT about science knowledge — it's data interpretation
- Math allows calculator on ALL questions


path: sections.md
content: # Section-Specific Strategies

## English (75 questions, 45 min)

**What it tests:** Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, rhetoric

**High-ROI topics:**
- Comma rules (most common errors)
- Subject-verb agreement
- Pronoun agreement and case
- Parallel structure
- Redundancy (shorter is usually better)

**Pacing trap:** Don't re-read entire passage — read surrounding sentences only

**When to guess:** If question asks about "best placement" or "which choice," wrong answers are usually obviously wrong

## Math (60 questions, 60 min)

**What it tests:** Pre-algebra through trigonometry

**Question distribution:**
- Pre-algebra/Elementary algebra: 20-25%
- Intermediate algebra/Coordinate geometry: 25-30%
- Plane geometry: 20-25%
- Trigonometry: 10%

**High-ROI topics:**
- Word problems (setup, not calculation)
- Coordinate geometry (slopes, midpoints)
- Triangle properties (30-60-90, 45-45-90)
- Basic trig (SOHCAHTOA, unit circle)

**Pacing trap:** Hard questions at the end are worth the same as easy ones — don't burn time

**Calculator strategy:** Use for arithmetic, not for understanding

## Reading (40 questions, 35 min)

**What it tests:** Comprehension across 4 passages

**Passage order:**
1. Prose Fiction/Literary Narrative
2. Social Science
3. Humanities
4. Natural Science

**Strategy choice:**
- Read passage first → answer questions (if fast reader)
- Skim passage → questions → reread for answers (if slow reader)
- Questions first → hunt for answers (if very slow reader)

**Pacing trap:** Spending too long on one passage — budget 8-9 min max per passage

**Evidence questions:** Answer is ALWAYS in the text — if inferring too much, wrong

## Science (40 questions, 35 min)

**What it tests:** Data interpretation, NOT science knowledge

**Passage types:**
- Data Representation (graphs, tables): easiest
- Research Summaries (experiments): medium
- Conflicting Viewpoints (two scientists disagree): hardest

**Critical insight:** You don't need to understand the science — just read the graphs and tables

**Pacing trap:** Reading background info too carefully — skip to data, answer questions

**Conflicting Viewpoints:** Identify what EACH scientist claims before answering

## Writing (Optional, 40 min)

**What it tests:** Argument analysis and writing

**Structure:**
- Intro with thesis
- 3 body paragraphs (analyze perspectives, present your own)
- Conclusion

**Scoring:** 4 domains (Ideas, Development, Organization, Language), each 2-12

**Only prep if:** Target colleges require or recommend Writing score


path: study-methods.md
content: # Study Methods and Pacing

## Study Timeline

| Weeks Out | Focus |
|-----------|-------|
| 12+ | Diagnostic → identify weak sections → learn content |
| 8-12 | Section drills → timed practice → strategy refinement |
| 4-8 | Full practice tests weekly → error analysis → targeted review |
| 1-4 | Maintain timing → review weak topics → reduce volume |
| Last week | Light review only → rest → logistics prep |

## Session Types

### Content Learning (early phase)
- Focus on ONE topic (e.g., comma rules, trig ratios)
- Learn the concept, then drill 10-20 questions
- Untimed initially, add time pressure gradually
- Duration: 30-45 min

### Section Drill (mid phase)
- Full section under real time conditions
- Immediate error review
- Log error types in tracking
- Duration: 45-75 min depending on section

### Full Practice Test (late phase)
- Simulate real test day
- All sections in order with breaks
- Score and review same day if possible
- Duration: 3-4 hours

### Error Review (after every practice)
- For EACH wrong answer:
  - Why was my answer wrong?
  - Why is the correct answer right?
  - What should I recognize next time?
- Log patterns in section tracking files

## Pacing Drills

**English pacing:** Practice finishing passages in 8 min (not 9)

**Math pacing:** Set checkpoint — 30 questions done at 30 min mark

**Reading pacing:** 8 min per passage MAX, move on even if questions remain

**Science pacing:** 5 min per passage, skip to easier passage if stuck

## Common Mistakes

- Studying weak section too much → neglecting stronger sections that could go higher
- Doing untimed practice too long → timing is half the battle
- Not reviewing errors → repeating same mistakes
- Cramming before test → fatigue hurts more than last-minute learning helps


path: targets.md
content: # College Targeting

## Score Ranges by College Tier

| Tier | Examples | Typical ACT Range |
|------|----------|-------------------|
| Ivy+ | Harvard, MIT, Stanford | 34-36 |
| Top 20 | Duke, Northwestern, UCLA | 32-35 |
| Top 50 | Boston U, Wisconsin, UF | 28-33 |
| State flagships | Ohio State, Penn State | 26-31 |
| Regional/Open | Varies widely | 20-26 |

## Superscore Strategy

Many colleges take your highest section scores across multiple tests.

**When to retake:**
- One section significantly lower than others
- Confident that section can improve
- Time and budget allow

**Planning retakes:**
- Focus prep on lowest section only
- No need to maintain all sections at peak
- Check if target colleges superscore (most do)

## Scholarship Thresholds

Many state schools have automatic scholarships at score cutoffs:
- 30+ often triggers merit aid
- 33+ at many schools = full tuition
- Check specific school policies

## Score Submission Strategy

**Score Choice:** ACT lets you choose which test dates to send

**Planning:**
- Take first test early (spring of junior year)
- Retake fall of senior year if needed
- Superscore from multiple sittings

## Writing Score Requirements

Check each college:
- Required: Must submit Writing score
- Recommended: Submit if decent (8+)
- Not considered: Skip Writing to save energy

Most competitive colleges no longer require Writing (trend since 2020).


path: tracking.md
content: # Progress Tracking System

## What to Track

### Per Practice Test
```
~/act/practice/YYYY-MM-DD.md

Date: 2024-01-15
Type: Full practice / Section drill
Conditions: Timed / Untimed

Scores:
- English: 28
- Math: 31
- Reading: 26
- Science: 29
- Composite: 29

Time Analysis:
- English: Finished with 3min left
- Math: Ran out of time (skipped 4)
- Reading: Finished exactly
- Science: 1min left

Error Log:
- E#23: Comma splice — didn't see independent clauses
- M#45: Forgot 30-60-90 triangle ratios
- R#12: Inference too far — answer was literal in text
```

### Per Section Progress
```
~/act/sections/math.md

Current score: 31
Target score: 34
Gap: 3 points

Strong areas:
- Basic algebra (98% accuracy)
- Coordinate geometry (92% accuracy)

Weak areas (high-ROI):
- Word problem setup (74% accuracy) → +2 points potential
- Trig identities (68% accuracy) → +1 point potential
- Matrices (60% accuracy) → rare on test, skip

Action items:
1. Drill word problems daily (20 min)
2. Review trig on weekend
```

## Score Trend Analysis

Track over time:
- Best composite ever (for superscore planning)
- Best per-section ever
- Average of last 3 tests (current level)
- Improvement rate (points/month)

## Red Flags to Surface

- Section stuck for 3+ practice tests → strategy problem, not knowledge
- Time issues not improving → pacing drills needed
- Same error types repeating → concept gap, needs targeted study
- Score dropping → burnout risk, reduce volume


path: user-types.md
content: # User Type Adaptations

## Student (primary user)

**Needs:**
- Study schedule that fits school workload
- Practice question access
- Score tracking and progress visualization
- Strategy coaching for weak sections

**Interaction style:**
- Direct, actionable advice
- Daily/weekly check-ins on plan adherence
- Celebrate score improvements
- Warn when falling behind

## Parent

**Needs:**
- Progress reports (scores, study hours, trajectory)
- Realistic expectations about score potential
- When to consider tutoring
- Understanding of college score requirements

**Interaction style:**
- Summary format, not granular details
- Flag concerns proactively
- Don't overwhelm with test minutiae
- Focus on actionable support they can provide

## Tutor

**Needs:**
- Multi-student tracking
- Curriculum/lesson planning
- Error pattern identification across students
- Progress reports for parents

**Interaction style:**
- Analytical, data-driven
- Aggregate patterns across students
- Suggest teaching interventions
- Support lesson prep

## Self-studier (adult retaker)

**Needs:**
- Efficient study plan (limited time)
- Focus on score-maximizing strategies
- Less hand-holding, more autonomy

**Interaction style:**
- Straight to tactics
- Respect time constraints
- No motivational fluff
- Results-focused


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