Mini-Courses ACT Prep

Mini-Courses ACT Preparation Class prepares 11th-12th graders for the official ACT test. Students gain direct instruction in the math, reading, English, and science reasoning as well as the writing section of the ACT test. Class instruction also covers test taking strategies so students become familiar with the types of questions they will encounter and learn a variety of strategies to answer those questions. Students participate in an unofficial pre- and post-test experience that familiarizes them with the ACT testing process. There are 100 openings per academic year session, in which the student to instructor ratio is 25:1. The class is in session for a total of seven consecutive Saturdays that include 20 hours of instruction, 8 hours of testing experience and 1 hour attending the student information session. Students must have a core GPA of 2.5 to be eligible for the ACT Preparation Class. Program fee is $185 for the session. DPI Pre-College Scholarships are available to students who are eligible for free/reduced lunch.

Mini-Courses offers a summer session of the ACT Preparation Class through UWM College for Kids & Teens. There are 30 openings for the ACT Boot Camp. The program fee is $195.00 (no scholarships available).

Our ACT Prep program has been featured on WISN 12, November 24th, 2013.

Summer 2020 Program Dates

The summer session is offered through The School of Continuing Education: UWM College for Kids & Teens. Please visit https://uwm.edu/sce/program_area/college-for-kids-teens/ for registration information.

Mini-Courses Summer ACT Boot Camp
Monday-Thursday, Aug 3 – Aug 6, 2020, 9:00am – 3:00pm

  • This session will be offered in an online format running live at the currently scheduled times.
  • Pre-Test option: July 25, 2020, 8am-12pm (take-home tests will be made available)
  • Post-Test option: August 7, 2020, 8am-12pm (take-home tests will be made available)

Fall 2020 Program Dates

Dates Type Time
October 3, 2020 Pre-Test 8am – 12 noon
October 10, 2020 Information session 8am – 9am
October 10, 17, 24, 31, November 7, 2020 Classes 9am – 1pm
November 14, 2020 Post-Test 8am – 12 noon

Spring 2021 Program Dates

Dates Type Time
January 9, 2021 Pre-Test 8am – 12 noon
January 16, 2021 Information session 8am – 9am
January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 2021 Classes 9am – 1pm
February 20, 2021 Post-Test 8am – 12 noon

Eligibility

Students must have a core GPA of 2.5 to be eligible for this class and must be in grades 11-12.

How to determine Your Core Grade Point Average (GPA)

Core classes are only used to determine the applicant’s core grade point average. Those classes include variations of reading, math, English, science, social studies and foreign languages. This does not include classes such as music, art, physical education, computers, etc. If you have any questions regarding your core GPA for eligibility (core GPA required for the ACT Preparation Class is 2.5), please call our office at 414-229-6236.

Students eligible for free or reduced lunch may apply for the DPI Precollege Scholarship that is included in the ACT Preparation Class brochure/application. You may receive a maximum of three DPI Precollege Scholarships per year.

How to Register

Please go to the Brochures section to download the ACT Preparation Class brochure/application during open registration. If registration is closed for the current session, please call the Mini-Courses office at 414-229-6236 or email minicourses@uwm.edu to be placed on our mailing list for the upcoming session.

Please submit completed and signed ACT Preparation Class registration forms to the Mini-Course Office by mail, drop off, email or fax.

Mail
UWM Mini Courses
P.O. Box 413
Milwaukee, WI 53201

Drop Off
UWM Mini Courses Office
Mitchell Hall; Room 141
3203 N Downer Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Email: minicourses@uwm.edu
Fax: (414) 229-3490

Policies and Fees

The cost for the Fall and Spring ACT Preparation Class is $185.

The Summer ACT Preparation Class offered through College for Teens is $195.

DPI Precollege Scholarships are available for students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch. The DPI Precollege Scholarship is included in the ACT Preparation Class brochure/application. You may receive a maximum of three DPI Precollege Scholarships per year.

We accept cash, check or money order made payable to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee/Mini Courses

Brochures

ACT Preparation Class/Test Taking Experience Brochure
Please contact our office at 414-229-6236 or email minicourses@uwm.edu to be added to our mailing list. Thank you for your interest in our program!

FAQ

Q: If I’m registered for the ACT Preparation Class am I also registered for the official ACT test?
A: No. Registering for the ACT Preparation Class only enrolls you in the seven Saturday preparation course. To register for the official ACT test, please go to www.actstudent.org or see your school counselor.

Q: Is the Writing test covered in the ACT Preparation Class?
A: No. The Writing Test is not a component of the ACT Preparation Class. However, the Writing Test is briefly covered in the Reading component of the class. We do provide extensive handouts and materials on the Writing test and are available to answer any questions students may have about the Writing Test.

Q: What are the core classes that are factored into the Grade Point Average?
A: Core classes are only used to determine the applicant’s core grade point average. Those classes include variations of reading, math, English, science, social studies and foreign languages. This does not include classes such as music, art, physical education, computers, etc. If you have any questions regarding your core GPA for eligibility (core GPA required for the ACT Preparation Class is 2.5), please call our office at 229-6236.

Q: Can I take the class more than one time?
A: Students who have already attended the ACT Preparation Class are not eligible to take the ACT Preparation Class a second time. If there is a medical or emergency situation involved, please contact the Program Coordinator of Mini-Courses at 229-6236 to discuss this circumstance.

Q: Will my child’s score increase by taking this class?
A: Mini-Courses does not guarantee a student’s score will increase. Past statistics have shown that at least 75% of the students that take the pre- and post-test increase their score. When taking a standardized test, it is likely there will be a marginal variation in scores. Individual test scores have the ability to be hampered by the potential of “noise” that each student may experience or encounter during the ACT Post-test. Examples of “noise” could be a lack of sleep, emotional distress, lack of effort, anxiety, or any other situation, which would affect the student’s test taking ability.

Q: If I sign up for the ACT Preparation Class, do I also need to sign up for the ACT Test Taking Experience?
A: No. Students who are registered for the ACT Preparation Class DO NOT need to apply for the ACT Test Taking Experience. The unofficial pre-test and post-test experiences are included in the ACT Preparation Class.

Staff

Tricia Maldonado
Program Coordinator
414-229-6236
tmpipia@uwm.edu

Londan Roohr
Advisor
414-229-6236
roohr@uwm.edu

Contact Us

Email: minicourses@uwm.edu
Telephone: 414-229-6236
Fax: 414-229-3490

Office Location

Mitchell Hall, Room 141
3203 N Downer Ave.
Milwaukee WI 53211

Mailing Address

Mini Courses – ACT Prep
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
P.O. Box 413
Milwaukee WI 53201-0413