The Best Way to Prepare for ACT

The Best Way to Prepare for ACT

Unfortunately, there are no secret tricks to getting perfect scores on standardized tests. There are, however, plenty of ways that students can prepare for their ACT tests, and improve their chances of succeeding. The ACT is the one of the two college readiness tests, the other being the SAT. Both are specifically designed to assess a student’s preparedness for college work, where their skills and knowledge are tested. The ACT plays an integral role in determining academic strengths, plans for the fitting career path, and if whether or not a student qualifies for a scholarship grant. With all these things to consider, there is no doubt you’re feeling pressured, especially as the test day approaches. You frantically look for the best way to prepare for ACT, or perhaps ways how to pass the ACT. Either way, a good preparation for act exam is the best way to go. This post contains some of the best tips for ACT, gathered from various sources and experts.

When should you start studying for the ACT? 

One of the biggest questions students usually ask is when to start preparing for ACT. For most people, it is highly recommended to begin studying for act after finishing sophomore year, which is the summer leading to the transition to junior year. Starting this early will give you enough time to prepare, as you have the option of taking the actual test as soon as your junior year commences. The exact time you begin studying, however, varies greatly and depends on several factors. These may include your college choices, and how many hours a week you are willing to devote solely to studying. Need help with your term paper or essay?

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How many hours should you study for the act? 

To prepare for ACTS, you must first consider time. The number of hours you wish to study in preparation for ACT exams will be entirely up to you. You can commit to an intense ACT study schedule, which can mean devoting ten hours a week for two months. Or perhaps a gradual study schedule will work best for you, which can be studying for an hour every week, for over the course of six months. Keep in mind that your study prep for ACT will also depend on the type of school you’re applying to, and how much points you will be needing. 

For these reasons, it is important to emphasize that starting your preparation for ACT test earlier is better, as it will help you better grasp your hours, and gradually help you get a hold of the test’s structure. Everyone has their own study habits, along with certain time restrictions. One student can study for hours, while the other can only concentrate for half an hour. Make sure that you customize your time accordingly. Studying more than what you can take can be do more harm than good, as it with all excessive consumption in life.

What should I know before taking the ACT? 

How to prepare for ACT? Study and understand the ACT Exam Structure. You already know the best way to prepare for a test, after going through rigorous academic courses. You think you already have the knowledge to pass the ACT, but keep in mind that taking tests is also a skill that can be mastered. Take time to understand the ACT’s test structure, and learn some testing strategies before the exam day comes in to improve your chances of succeeding. Do remember to read instructions carefully for every section. Pace yourself as wisely as you possibly can, and recheck your work if given the chance. Mark your answers properly.

1. Create a study schedule. One of the many tips for the ACT include making a study schedule, and for good reason. The next essential step is to craft your very own study schedule, and for it to work, you need to make sure that it stays consistent. It’s best to allot a consistent number of hours studying every week until you take the test, rather than just cramming close to the test date. To know how many hours a week you should allot preparing for ACTS, divide the total number of prep hours you think you need by the number of weeks until the day of the test. Also remember that you need to determine which particular day and time you wish to study every week. Perhaps you can study an hour every day except for Sunday, which you’ll only study for 30 minutes. It could also be 4 hours every Friday and Saturday evenings. Doing this will help you stay consistent.

2. Focus on learning essential test content. As soon as you’ve settled on your goal and schedule, move on to learning content. This refers to the knowledge you’ll be needing to properly answer the ACT questions - the heart of your ACT exam preparation. This will include grammar rules for English, reviewing formula functions for Mathematics, reviewing steps to forming a hypothesis for Science, and learning how to read quickly for Reading and Comprehension. Learn any material that you’re not familiar with yet, but don’t ignore what you already know. If Math is your weakest area, then it’s completely fine to devote the bulk of your time preparing for it. And, even if English is your best subject, you should still spend a little time preparing for it.

3. Consider enrolling in an ACT Prep Course. There are numerous act prep courses made available now, whether you want to be in classrooms, a study group, or online by yourself. Most of these can run up to $1,500, but if you have the budget, then you might as well take the chance. Courses provide personalized learning plans, complete with strategies to further help you get the ACT score that you need. Of course, you can also prepare for ACT exam at home, and if you’re wondering “But, how to prepare for act exam at home?”, it’s simple - there are free alternative options available on the internet, such as Khan Academy. It’s up to you to choose which one will work best for you. 

4. Take plenty of free practice tests. As you prepare for the ACT, remember that repetition is always good. With no payment fees asked, ACT practice tests are readily available on the internet. This helps students anticipate which questions are likely to appear on the real test before taking them on test day. Much of the formatting can be complicated on the ACT, so it is vital that you know what you will be dealing with before it’s handed to you. Taking practice tests will also allow you to identify your weak spots, so that you will be able to allot more time to prepare for these sections. If you have the extra money, you can opt to purchase an ACT practice book. This is the best ACT study guide, as it offers plenty of practice tests for you to try, and also includes strategies to help you get the score you want.

5. Practice on those test strategies. The truth is, simply banking on knowledge isn’t enough to succeed on the ACT. For a thorough ACT preparation, you will need to learn effective strategies to approach the test. This refers to techniques like learning how to eliminate choices, making intelligent guesses, managing your time, and so forth. With a little guidance and practice, you’ll be able to create the best approach for you. 

If you wish to get more act testing tips as you prepare and practice for act, check out Magoosh SAT & ACT below, a YouTube channel dedicated to SAT and ACT prep.