how do you practice for the act

^{The ACT Prep Process: 10-Step Plan}

1. Read Up on the ACT. If you have any lingering doubts about the ACT's format, its scoring, or the implications of various scores on your college hopes, this ...
2. Take a Practice Test. Give this first test your best effort so as to get a more realistic score. ...
3. Score Your Practice Test. Review each and every question you got wrong. See why you missed the questions you did. ...
4. Set a Reasonable Goal. You know how the ACT works and you know where you stand. How much do you think you could stand to improve?
Decide What Tools You'll Use. Whatever course you take for studying, you'll need some good resources. Official resources are always the place to start.
Practice. Follow some sort of routine for your ACT practice. ...
Take Another Practice Test. This is where things start to sound a little repetitive. You'll want to take another practice test to measure your progress.
Practice Some More. Continue on with your ACT study routine, making any adjustments according to the results of your most recent practice exam.
Repeat Steps 7 and 8. As I mentioned before, things become cyclical at this point. ...
Maintain Self-Care. Throughout the process of studying, make sure you're taking good care of yourself, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

How do you prepare for the Act?

To prepare for questions about rhetorical skills, make sure that you:

• Read the question carefully. What exactly are you being asked to do? ...
• Avoid wordiness. Your task in the ACT English exam is simply to find the best answer choice for the specific question being asked, regardless of your personal preferences as a ...
• Determine the appropriate context for the question. ...
• "Hear" the sentence in your head. ...

How do you prepare for Act?

Step-by-step guide for Week 4

1. Take and score a full-length ACT practice test in a single sitting.
2. Review your practice test.
3. Study for each section of the test, focusing on topics you haven’t yet mastered, but are getting right more than half the time. ...
4. Take a day or two off before Test Day. ...
5. Walk into the ACT confident in your preparation and crush it!

How do I prepare for the ACT test?

• Get familiar with the test. Review the information found in the Preparing for the ACT practice booklet. ...
• Identify areas to improve . Use the practice test to identify the subjects that are most challenging for you.
• Update your knowledge and skills . ...

What is the best online ACT prep?

The Best ACT Prep Courses

• Princeton Review — Top Pick. ...
• Kaplan — Best Self-Paced Course. ...
• ACT — Most Affordable. ...
• Testive — Best Free Trial. ...
• Magoosh — Best Product Offerings. ...
• Higher Scores Test Prep — Best Instructors. ...
• Prep Expert — Best Online Course. ...
• PrepScholar — Best for Students with Learning Disabilities. ...
• ClearPath Advantage — Biggest Practice Exam Library. ...

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What is the best way to practice for the ACT?

How to Study for the ACT®: 15 Ways to PrepareStep One: Take a Practice Test. ... Step Two: List Your Weak Areas. ... Step Three: Trade Lessons. ... Step Four: Create a Study Schedule. ... Step Five: Practice Your Speed. ... Step Six: Learn to Use Your Time. ... Step Seven: Find a Study Book or Online Resource. ... Step Eight: Learn the Instructions.More items...•

How long should you practice for the ACT?

It is recommended to study for at least 10 hours so you are prepared. It is also better to keep your studying within one to six months before the test: Less than one month, the material doesn't have time to sink in. More than six months, and you are likely to forget some of the earlier information.

What do I need to study for ACT?

The Most Important Things to Study for the ACTEnglish: Punctuation and Grammar. Ah yes, punctuation and grammar! ... Math: Pre/Basic Algebra. ... Reading: Reading Strategically. ... Science: Graphs and Charts. ... Final Thoughts.

How can I improve my ACT skills?

Below are our biggest ACT tips and tricks, informed by test-prep experts, to help you raise your score and feel confident on test day.Practice With Quality Study Materials. ... Hone Your Time-Management Skills. ... Use the Same Answer Choice When Guessing. ... Prioritize Answering the Questions You Know. ... Memorize Common Math Formulas.More items...

How much do I need to study for ACT?

As a general rule, studying somewhere between one and six months will probably be enough to produce significant results. That said, the skills needed for the SAT/ACT can be continually refined. The more time you spend familiarizing yourself with the test, the closer you'll get to a perfect score.

How much should I study a day for ACT?

Plan to study for two hours each day, every day of the week leading up to your test. Readjust your schedule if necessary. You should aim to study for the ACT every day over the course of a few months, in addition to weekly timed practice tests.

What's the hardest part of the ACT?

Questions at the end are the hardest on the test, so they show up as red or orangish-red. Even though Math comes after English on the ACT, I start with the Math heat map because it is the easiest to interpret and, perhaps, the most important to respect.

Is ACT easier than SAT?

Section Summary: Neither the SAT nor the ACT is harder than the other – but each test benefits a different type of student. It's essential that you figure out which test is best suited for you, so that you can achieve the highest scores possible.

What is the best letter to guess on the ACT?

For those guessing on only a few of the last ten questions, A/F would be the better option. The Safe Bet: Answer choice E/K is the safest choice because it, so far, has always had one correct answer. In fact, E/K has met or exceeded the expected average 82% of the time, making it the most consistent answer choice.

Is a 22 on the ACT good?

A score of 22 is a good score and is better than average. It puts you in the top 62nd percentile of the applicants for the test. You have a chance of getting admissions into some good colleges with 22 on the ACT.

Is a 23 on the ACT good?

Is a 23 a good ACT score? Yes, with score of 23 you're in about the top third. It places you in the top 68th percentile nationally out of the 2 million test takers of the ACT entrance exam.

Is 18 a good ACT score?

Getting a high ACT score can increase your chances of getting into selective colleges. In general, a good ACT score is any score in or above the 75th percentile — at least a 24.

Is the ACT or SAT harder?

Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Neither the SAT or ACT is harder than the other. Different students tend to do better on one test over the other.

How difficult is the ACT?

The ACT is challenging for many students because of its strict time constraints. On the English section, you'll answer 75 questions in just 45 minutes, which is equal to a mere 36 seconds per question. On the Math section, you'll answer 60 questions in 60 minutes, so you have a minute at most for each question.

What is the average ACT score?

Average Score on the ACT The latest scoring data (2021) shows that the average composite score on the ACT is a 20.3.

How long are the breaks during the ACT?

The ACT is a fast-paced and time intensive test, and you only get one ten-minute break during the multiple-choice sections. This break always comes after Math and before Reading. If you're taking the essay section, then you'll get a five-minute break after Science and before beginning the essay.

3 Guiding Principles of Act Study

We'll get to the specific recommendations in a minute, but first I want to establish the underlying tenets that should guide your ACT preparation.

Reminders For Your Act Studying

Reading is hugely important. Even when you're not officially studying for the test, reading many different styles and genres (and actively engaging...

Conclusion: How to Study For The Act

Studying for the ACT can seem like an overwhelming task. However, by establishing a routine of studying and taking full-length practice tests, it c...

Free Online Test Prep and Events

Whether you’re on the fence about buying prep or you just want to see what we’re all about, our free online test prep and events—hosted in partnership with Kaplan—are a great starting place.

Free ACT Official Online Practice Test

You will be asked to create a MyACT account to access the free online ACT practice test.

What to do the night before the ACT?

Gather all your materials the night before the ACT, and don't forget to have a good breakfast and plan in plenty of extra time for getting to the test center.

What should be included in an ACT study plan?

Your ACT study plan should be personalized, but it should also include some basic elements like frequent practice tests and varied sources to use in solo study. Similarly, it's a good idea to pursue an ACT prep course (in-person or online) and/or individual tutoring.

How to prepare for a test the week before?

The week before the test, start to slow things down. Don't take a practice exam in that final week, and don't study quite as much; you know what you know, and it's no use driving yourself into a frenzy trying to cram any remaining factoids into your brain.

How to study for a job?

Throughout the process of studying, make sure you're taking good care of yourself, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Give yourself regular encouragement. Get ample rest and do some recreational activities. Reward your hard work with small treats, whether that's an ice cream cone or a walk in the park.

How many sample plans are there for the Act?

Need help coming up with an ACT study plan? Check out our four sample plans, and get tips on how to study for the ACT if you've only got a month before test day.

How to change your brain?

Try to use a combination of books, websites/videos, and in-person guidance . No matter what resources you're using, it's a good idea to switch things up once in a while so you cover all your bases and give your brain a degree of variety. Our brains thrive on change, so take advantage of this fact.

Why is reading important for the ACT?

Even when you're not officially studying for the test, reading many different styles and genres (and actively engaging with the texts) can help prepare you for the ACT, specifically the Reading and English sections. Set minor goals to help you achieve your overarching goal.

How to get ready for the Act?

One of the best things you can do to get ready for your test is to find a buddy that is also studying for the ACT®. You can choose to work with one friend or even form a group. Take the time to share and discuss each person’s weak and strong areas, so that you’ll be able to assist one another efficiently. You should take turns teaching lessons and demonstrating problems that align with your own strengths at first, then try to demonstrate problems that fall into your weaker categories. Through this process, every member of the group will likely become more well-rounded test takers and, hopefully get more questions right.

Why do you need to know the instructions for the Act?

You want to make sure that you know all of the instructions for your ACT® test to reduce your stress levels on test day. You will be given time to read them over, but you don’t want to have to be flipping back to the instructions page during the test. These instructions are readily available on the ACT® website. Believe it or not, knowing the test well can help keep you calmer on test day, which can translate to better results.

Why don't you guess on the ACT?

This is actually not true when you’re taking the ACT® because the test does not include an additional penalty for incorrect answers. You are not taking on any additional risk when you guess. It’s helpful to improve your guessing strategies, so that you can increase your odds of getting more of these questions right. Rather than purely guessing, try to eliminate 1 or 2 answers that seem wrong to you. Just by taking out one incorrect answer choice per guess, your average accuracy should increase from 25-33%, and on the ACT®, every correct answer counts.

How to prepare for a test day?

Step Fourteen: Prep for the Big Day. You want to make sure that you prepare for every aspect of your test day. You’re sure to feel some stress, so make sure that you continue to exercise and eat well leading into your test day. Get a good night of sleep, and try some relaxing activities the day before the test.

What is the act test?

As you know, the ACT® is an exam designed to test what you’ve learned and the skills you’ve acquired throughout your many years in school. That means you’re going to face a lot of challenging material, and your ACT® can play a big role in whether or not you get into the college of your choice. Therefore, you need to know how to study for ...

How to score higher on the Act?

Right now is the perfect time to gather resources that can help you score higher on the ACT®. You can start with a complete ACT® prep book if you’d like , or you can find books that are specifically geared toward your weakest areas. This approach can sometimes save you money and time. It’s a good idea to go to a book store and actually flip through some of your options. Look for strong explanations and quality practice questions that mirror your practice test.

How long does it take to take the Act?

You need to take the English, Mathematics, Reading and Science sections, which will take you approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes in total.

What to do if you are unfamiliar with the ACT?

If some content areas of the ACT are unfamiliar to you, consider taking coursework in those areas before you take the test.

What are the sections of the Act?

The full ACT consists of four multiple-choice sections—in English, mathematics, reading, and science—with an optional writing section. Some colleges and universities require or accept ACT writing scores, so you may consider taking the writing section.

What to bring to a writing class?

Number 2 Pencil. Bring sharpened No. 2 pencils and good erasers (no mechanical pencils or ink pens). Do not bring any other writing instruments. You will not be allowed to use them.

What happens if you don't bring your ACT ticket on test day?

If you have lost your ticket, you can print another through your MyACT account. If you do not bring your ticket on test day, your scores may be delayed.

What to do if there is time left after answering every question in a section?

If there is time left after you have answered every question in a section, go back and check your work. You will not be allowed to go back to any other section or mark responses to a section after time has been called in that section.

How to avoid incorrect answers in a quiz?

When you return to the more difficult questions, try to use logic to eliminate incorrect answers. Compare the answer choices to each other and note how they differ. Such differences may provide clues as to what the question requires. Eliminate as many incorrect answers as you can, then make an educated guess from the remaining answers.

Which section asks for the best answer?

The English, reading, and science section s ask for the best answer. Read and consider all of the answer choices and choose the answer that best responds to the question.

How to attack ACT English?

A good plan of attack for ACT English is to read the whole paragraph that has the sentence you must revise before you look at the answer choices. This will give you context for your choices and a better grasp on the structure of the sentence and how you might need to change it. With this strategy, you can reduce the number of errors you make caused by careless misreadings.

What is the first section of the Act?

The first section you'll take on the ACT is the English section , which focuses on your knowledge of grammar as well as your editing skills.

How to confirm you've got the correct answer on a math problem?

Two of the most important strategies to help you confirm you've got the correct answer on a math problem are to plug in answers and plug in numbers.

How to skim a passage?

In order to skim effectively, read the introduction and conclusion paragraphs as well as the first and last sentences of every body paragraph. This will give you a good overview of the main ideas and allow you to answer most main point questions . When you get to questions about details, you can then reread specific parts of the passage if necessary.

What is the act essay?

The ACT Writing section, or Essay, is an optional section and the last one you'll take (if you signed up to take it). Below, we give you two expert tips to help you get the Essay score you deserve.

What is the act math section?

The ACT Math section will often provide you with diagrams of figures that describe the problem you’re trying to answer. It’s important to pay attention to these figures, as they will give you clues about which answer choices are the most logical.

What sections are there in the Act?

First, I'll go through specific tips for each of the five sections (English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing). Then, I'll provide you with overall tips you can use throughout the test. Note that these are all last-minute test-taking advice tidbits rather than in-depth study hacks. Therefore, it's best to view them as light icing on top of a delicious cake representing the ACT expertise you've developed over a longer period of time.

What is PreACT in education?

PreACT provides indicators helping students, parents, and educators determine their readiness for college and career success.

What is the PreACT test?

PreACT ® offers sophomores an early experience with ACT test items, provides a predicted ACT test score, and offers a wealth of information to help students get the start they need to be college ready. Anchored on the ACT college and career readiness standards, PreACT helps educators, students, and parents, identify areas ...

Why do we use preact?

PreACT assessments can give students a clearer path in making college decisions—boosting their momentum throughout their journey toward college preparedness.

What is the act interest inventory?

ACT Interest Inventory results provide students with a personalized view of interests with college and career alignment.

How to set students up for success?

Set students up for success by placing them in the correct level during critical transition points from junior high to high school.

How to study for the Act?

Going through ACT practice tests can help your studying in myriad ways. For one thing, taking practice ACTs orients you towards the test. If you get too caught up in doing practice problem sets, you can forget what your ultimate goal is: doing well on the ACT when you sit down and take it on test day, not just acing problems in isolation. Making it through the full test length ( between three and four hours, depending on whether or not you take ACT Plus Writing) requires stamina as well as knowledge, and part of being prepared is making sure that you’re strong in both those arenas.

Why do we take practice tests on the Act?

One final point is that taking practice tests close (but not too close) to the ACT helps you build up your test muscle memory. Like playing a piano concerto all the way through in advance of a concert, or playing through a full-time scrimmage before a big game, taking full-length ACT practice tests gets your mind in shape.

What is the key to improving your test score?

Reviewing wrong answers, or even questions you weren't sure about but guessed correctly on, is key to improvement. Once you identify your problems, you can then come up with solutions (whether it’s making sure to sleep enough the night before the test or continuing to take more practice tests to get used to the time demands). After you've implemented those solutions, you should take a second practice test and see if the changes you've made in your studying have resulted in changes in your score.

Why are practice tests important?

Practice tests are valuable not just because of what you gain while you’re taking them , but because of what you can gain upon reflection after taking the test . After you've taken your first practice test, note what surprised you most about the experience (both in a good way and in a bad way). It could turn out that you're a lot more focused when you sit down to take the test all at once; on the other hand, you might discover that when you take the ACT at 8am, you're a lot more prone to making careless mistakes on Reading than you would be otherwise.

Why is it important to practice outside of a full-length test?

Focused practice outside of taking full-length practice tests is important for improving specific skills, like using quadratic equations or understanding parallelisms.

What is the purpose of ACT practice tests?

ACT practice tests are invaluable for any level of ACT preparation, from those just beginning their study to those who have studied for months already. There are limits, however, to what ACT practice tests can do.

How long is the ACT writing test?

Making it through the full test length ( between three and four hours, depending on whether or not you take ACT Plus Writing) requires stamina as well as knowledge, and part of being prepared is making sure that you’re strong in both those arenas.

How to study for Act?

You can formulate your ACT study plan based on your goals and the statistics for your top choice schools. The key is starting early! Give yourself more chances to excel. Figure out your target score, take a practice test, and decide how much you need to improve.

How many points do you need to improve on the Act?

If you want to improve by more than 4 points or so, you'll have to do some in-depth content work to address gaps in your knowledge. The ACT tests a lot of different concepts, so it can take a while to cover them all. This is why an earlier start is better.

Why should you subject yourself to such torment?

Why should you subject yourself to such torment? Because it's the only way to get a good estimate of where you stand in relation to your target score. Time pressure is a huge factor on the ACT, and it can impact your score significantly. Furthermore, going through all the sections in a row forces you to account for any fatigue you might experience on the later sections of the test.

What does it mean when you have already studied a lot?

You've already studied a lot, and you haven't seen much improvement. This might mean you need to switch up your strategies in addition to studying more. Take an objective look at how you've been using your study time so you can make productive changes. You're easily distracted.

How many hours to improve a 0-1 score?

6-9 points. 150+ hours. Keep in mind that this is just a rough estimate of the hours you will need to put in to improve your score. If you want to improve 0-1 points, you'll probably be able to accomplish your goal with light review, a single practice test, and a retake of the official test.

How to find your target score for ACT?

The easiest way to determine a target score is to Google your top choice school and “ACT scores.” You should be able to find a 25th percentile score and a 75th percentile score for the school. The range between the two represents the scores of the middle 50 percent of admitted students.

How to stop distractions while studying?

You're easily distracted. If you're spending a large chunk of your study time framing the perfect snapchat of you making a sad face with your ACT materials, you have a distraction problem. Try blocking out more time, and put away electronic devices while studying.

How does Act work?

ACT works hard to adjust the grading scale of each test at each administration as necessary to make all scaled scores comparable, smoothing out any differences in level of difficulty across test dates.

How is the ACT Writing Test scored?

Both readers score your essay on a scale of 1–6 in four different areas (learn more about the ACT essay here ). The ACT essay score will appear on your score report on a scale from 2-12. ACT also reports an English Language Arts (ELA) score out of 36, which represents your overall performance on the English, reading, and writing tests, but this value is NOT included in your ACT Composite Score calculation. No ELA score is reported if you do not choose to take the ACT With Essay.

What is the ACT score?

The ACT essay score will appear on your score report on a scale from 2-12. ACT also reports an English Language Arts (ELA) score out of 36, which represents your overall performance on the English, reading, and writing tests, but this value is NOT included in your ACT Composite Score calculation.

How does the Act score work?

The total number of questions you get right on each test (English, Math, Reading, and Science) equals your raw score . Your raw score for each test is then converted into a scale score (1–36).

What is the scaled score for the Act?

On each section of the ACT , the number of correct answers converts to a scaled score of 1–36. ACT works hard to adjust the grading scale of each test at each administration as necessary to make all scaled scores comparable, smoothing out any differences in level of difficulty across test dates.