Tricks and Tips to Achieve a High Score on the ACT/SAT

A life hack is a shortcut or trick that makes completing an activity easier to do. It may surprise you to know that the are life hacks to achieving a better score on the ACT or SAT standardized exams, too. Here are a few tips and strategies to earn a better score for the next time you take either of these exams. 

Eliminate the Obviously Wrong Answers

Each multiple-choice question has four possible answers on either test. However, if you look closely, there is usually one completely wrong answer that stands out that you can eliminate right off the bat. This means your odds improve dramatically from 25 percent to 33 percent for getting the question right even if you do not know much about the topic at hand.

Read the Headings Closely for All Short Passages

The heading of a section will tell you a lot about what the passage is about. Don’t skip over the heading and start reading the passage without taking a moment to contemplate the title of the section. 

Reread the Corresponding Section

When the question asks you about specific sentences or words, use context clues by going back and rereading that section. Don’t assume that your memory is going to be good enough to remember everything you just read. 

Sign Up for Explicit ACT and SAT Tutoring By the Professionals

You may think all you need is a study buddy to get a high score on either standardized exam. However, it doesn’t usually work that way. Instead, you should find a tutor that specializes in ACT and SAT tutoring. They will know all the ins and outs of the test and should be able to pass down valuable information to you. In fact, iAchieve can do just that! We have several tutors that focus on just these tests. We also offer practice tests that will get you familiar with what to expect.  

Review Your Answers If There Is Time

Once you finish the test, don’t just stare into space until the timer goes off. Use these valuable minutes to review your answers. You will come across a few questions you answered wrongly simply because you chose an answer too fast without reading over all the possibilities. 

Take Notes as You Proceed on the Test

The scratch paper they provide you is yours to use! Don’t just use it for doodling when you finish. Take notes about such things as passages, equations, main ideas, and things like that. 

Balance the Amount of Studying You Do

Instead of trying to cram in your studying time a day or two before the test, spread it out over time. For instance, you can start studying an hour every other day while you are three months out from the test. By the time the testing date comes around, you are going to be well prepared!

Time is of the Essence

There are going to be some very difficult questions you will come across on the test. Don’t get bogged down spending ten minutes trying to figure out the answer for just one question. All questions are worth the same amount of points. Give it your best shot and then move on to the next question. If there is time, in the end, you can always come back to it to give it more thought. 

Need to Write an Essay?

It is much easier to write an essay when you create an outline for it first. It will keep you on task and lead you from one paragraph to the next. It may take an extra minute to prepare an outline first, but it will well be worth it!

Read the Directions to Each Section

Too many students skip the reading of the directions and move right on to answering the questions. But sometimes the directions will tell you to choose the wrong answer of the bunch or even choose the two best answers for each question. If you aren’t reading the directions, you are sabotaging yourself from earning a good score. 

Know the Format Ahead of Time

It helps to be prepared. If you can find out which subject is covered first on the test, it will eliminate some of the surprises. The more you know about the format of the test ahead of time, the less anxiety you will feel on test day.

Learn More

10 Ways to Best Prepare for the ACT and SAT

You Can Receive a Scholarship Simply for Your ACT or SAT Score

How ACT/SAT Test Prep Can Make a Huge Difference in Getting into the College of Your Choice