Preparing for the ACT

When I was in high school, the test to take was the ACT (originally named the American College Testing Program.) The test was created in 1959 as an alternative to the SAT, and rather than an aptitude test, it was designed to cover the skills you have learned in school. The ACT covers four sections: Reading, Math, English, and Science. It also has an optional written essay section. The scores can range from a low of 1 to a high of 36. The current average score is about 21.

Most colleges request that you take either the ACT or SAT during your senior year in high school. However, if you are planning on attending a junior college once graduating from high school, most junior colleges have open enrollment and do not require it. Still, it would not be a bad thing to take just to see how well you score. Below are some helpful tips on how to make the ACT testing day go smoothly.

Consider a Tutor to Prepare You

Most students know their own strengths and weaknesses. If you are weak in math, find a tutor who will help you improve. Don’t think that just because you are strong in one of the other sections that it will just balance out your math score in the end. The time to improve those weak subject areas is before taking the ACT. You might want to start with a practice test and then follow up with an ACT tutor who can help you improve your score on any part of the test you need.

Question Answering Strategy

Almost all of the questions are multiple choice. Even if you don’t know the correct answer for sure, you can start by ruling out the ones that you know do not make sense. Use the process of elimination and you may squeak out a few more answers. Plus, if you have no idea, don’t simply leave it blank. You might as well make a best guess.

Math Questions

There is a reason they let you use scrap paper, and it is not for drawing when you are done. Solve your math problems on paper if you need to. If questions are not making sense, draw pictures to make it simpler.

Essay Writing

Essay writing can be a weakness for many students. Remember that you are not sending text messages, so don’t shorten up words or leave emojis anywhere on the paper. Write in complete sentences and have those sentences form actual paragraphs. Also, punctuation is not optional. Always put appropriate punctuation throughout the paper.

And on the day of the test…

Know Where the Test Location Is

If the test location is somewhere new to you, consider making a practice run to find the best route and see how long it takes to get there- it will be one less thing to worry about on the day of the test.

Have Your ID and Test Ticket

I can’t tell you how many people were turned away from taking the ACT on the day I took it because they either forgot their test ticket or their ID. All your hard work and preparation will be wasted if you can’t even sit down to take the test!

Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Don’t skip breakfast or eat a heavy breakfast the day of the ACT. You do not want to have your stomach growling so loud that it distracts the other students. Plus, you don’t want to have to get up for the bathroom every half hour. Eat something smart that won’t leave you feeling sluggish.

There are numerous experts at iAchieve that can help prepare you for the big day of taking your ACT test. Perhaps there are certain subjects that you are struggling with, or you just want to know what to expect on the testing day, either way, we can help. Don’t let one low test score affect your future. Be prepared to succeed at the ACT by letting iAchieve help.

Written by Ryan Crawley

iAchieve Learning offers one-on-one tutoring for both the ACT and SAT. For more information about how we can help you, contact us today!

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