Why is studying for the ACT so dreaded?
The thought of studying for the ACT evokes feelings of dread in the hearts of many high school students, even contributing to test anxiety and poor test performance. They equate studying for this important exam with hours and hours of boring and tedious studying hunched over their books and wishing they were doing something else. However, this image of what is supposed to be an effective study is as reckless as it is terrible.
Just don’t do it: say no to marathon study sessions!
Studies have shown that the most effective way to study is in short bursts over a longer period, the opposite of the intensive weekend sessions that have become so popular (and hated) among students. Having a 3 x 5 stack of cards that you review in 5-minute sessions multiple times throughout the day is much more effective than doing it all at once.
Each study session has a point of diminishing returns depending on the amount of time spent and the person conducting the study. Typically, the study peak ends when 20 minutes have elapsed. So the person who continues to sit there and study for longer and longer isn’t getting the most bang for their buck out of it. The most effective way to study is to use the time spent studying during the maximum retention time, in the period below the usual 20 minute time window.
Abraham Lincoln said that if he had 12 hours to chop down a tree, he would spend 6 of those hours sharpening his axe. If he has 3 hours to study, the most effective way would be to spend it in nine 20-minute periods.
Are there exceptions to this study method?
Is this a hard and fast rule for everyone? Of course not: there are no hard and fast rules that fit everyone. Some students may need longer study periods, as it may take 10 minutes to “warm up.” However, the principle remains: study while you are most effective and cut it when you feel like you start to hit your head against the wall.
The key to this is to start studying for the ACT, or any other major test, long before you think you have to. You must leave an ample number of study days in order to achieve this. There are only so many “20-minute time frames” you’ll be able to include during any given day, so start with a few extra days to spare.
The key is to maximize your study time, while building your confidence and helping to beat test anxiety. Don’t make studying for the ACT a daunting task and don’t waste a minute of your time studying ineffectively.
