For many students, preparing for the ACT is daunting. Most students know that it can be an important piece of their college application but don’t know where to start. Here are a few tips to help relieve the overwhelming feeling of studying for such a big test:
Understand the test structure: Knowing the structure of the ACT is a major part of knowing how to study for it. Currently, the test has five sections: English, math, reading, science, and optional writing. There are some big changes happening to the ACT soon which will render the science section optional as well. Students need to know the timing, content, layout, and types of questions that are asked. The best part is that because the ACT is a standardized test, it has the same structure each time.
Take a diagnostic test: By taking a diagnostic test, students can see their strengths and weaknesses. This isn’t limited to the content of the test itself (i.e. math concepts, grammar, etc.); students can also get a feel for how fast the test moves and gain insight to what strategies may work for them.
Some College Tutors locations even offer a free diagnostic test to help students pinpoint the areas on which they need improvement!
Create a study schedule: It’s very important to consistently study for the ACT. Even taking a week-long break from studying can set a student back. “If you don’t use it, you lose it” is an applicable adage to preparing for the ACT. Not only is the content itself difficult, but the timing and pacing are major aspects that need practice as well. Practice makes perfect, and the ACT is no different. Tutors who specialize in helping students prepare for the ACT help hold students accountable for practicing consistently which is perfect for those who aren’t self-motivated.
Use quality resources: Practice concepts, like grammar and math, using textbooks or online worksheets to hone in on the problem areas. Using an ACT prep guide book (the official guide would be our recommendation) is an invaluable resource as it contains some common strategies and explains questions. An ACT tutor is also a great resource as they tend to have ample experience with many ACTs and can help students identify types of questions and work on individualized strategies to maximize their score.
Practice time management: Time-management is a HUGE aspect of the ACT. This test goes fast, and building speed goes hand-in-hand with understanding the test format and layout. There are many ways to handle the pacing of the ACT, from splitting up timing among passages to skipping questions. Don’t forget: each section of the ACT has a different number of questions and time limit, so it’s important to know how to pace yourself.
