One of your most important tasks as a high school student is taking the ACT test. It can be rigorous, especially if you start it unprepared. To score high on the ACT, you must adhere to an effective test prep program for at least 3 months. There are several options for an ACT prep that really works. So how do you choose the best path that can give you smart and effective ACT study tips?
3 main guiding principles of exam preparation
Studying effectively for the ACT exam requires you to sign up for 3 guiding principles, and they are as follows:
- Individualize and personalize your study plan. No two test takers are exactly the same, which means there is no one-size-fits-all study plan. Choose a study plan or a combination of them that suits your needs as an individual. You know yourself better than anyone, so create a syllabus that works best for you. For example, you can stick to 2-hour study sessions if you have the stamina, or you can feel comfortable studying in 30-minute increments. Make sure your ACT curriculum is flexible.
- Start early in your ACT test prep program. You must have enough time to study for your exam. It may be enough to render 3 months for your review, but if you want to get a higher score, you may need to increase it to 6 months. From the beginning, you must learn to pay attention to your ACT prep plan and the time it takes for it to be successful.
- Optimize your curriculum. That means you have to do something regardless of how much time you have available to spend preparing for the ACT test. It is your best option and it is much better than doing nothing. What if you don’t have 6 or 3 months to prepare for the ACT? Don’t lose hope or panic, but optimize the time that is available to you. If you have several hours left, you can spend four hours taking practice tests. Even if you only have 15 minutes a day to study, go ahead! Anyway, you will surely learn something. Remember that a little preparation is better than no preparation.
5 Helpful ACT Prep Tips
- Read as much information as you can about the ACT. Learn about the format and structure of the test and what its implications are for your college goals. Get familiar with it, which in turn will make you feel more comfortable with your next endeavor. It will make you feel more relaxed and confident when taking the ACT test.
- Take a large number of ACT practice tests. Do your best by taking your first practice test so that you gain a reliable understanding of your score and ability. Make sure to take an official ACT practice test for a more realistic experience and result. Follow the instructions carefully and adhere to the designated time limit for each section.
- Get your score from your practice tests. Analyze your wrong answers and figure out why you missed them. This should help you uncover your weak areas. Check out the answer explanations that accompany your practice tests and learn from them. If you are having difficulty with this particular task, ask a teacher, tutor or mentor, or a test prep partner for help.
- Work towards a reasonable goal. Now you know what your knowledge and skill levels are related to the ACT test. At this point, you need to assess what degree of improvement you are willing to work on. It may take a bit of effort, but make sure you set a workable goal. If you scored less than 20 on your practice test, it may be too much to expect you to get a number of 30. Otherwise, if you scored between 20 and 20, it is possible to aim for a score of 30-something. The improvements you want to make depend on your commitment to preparing for the ACT test.
- Decide what tools you will use to prepare for your exam. The resources you must use must be of good quality and are official ACT preparation materials. If you want to do self-study, look for credible and up-to-date websites, apps, or books. You may also want to enroll in an online ACT test prep program that is known to be a middle ground. In addition to working on your own, you can receive outside guidance at the same time. Consider whether you are interested in joining a group course where you can brainstorm with your peers and the instructor. Or if you think individual tutoring will work well for you, go for it.
Here are 5 of the most effective ACT study tips that can help you prepare for your exam so you can successfully pass and achieve your career and postsecondary education goals.
