ACT Tips, Tricks and Strategies
ANSWER EVERYTHING. ACT doesn’t penalize you for wrong answers. I repeat, THERE IS NO PENALTY FOR WRONG ANSWERS. You’ve got nothing to lose, so guess if you don’t know it!
If the proctor gives the 5 minute warning and you’re not finished, go through and mark an answer for all of the remaining questions. Then go back and figure out all of the questions you have time for and change the answer if needed. This way, you aren’t stuck with blank questions when time is up.
Watch the clock! Time is key.
Write in the test booklet. Mark what you are trying to find, underline stuff, mark on the graphs, etc.
You have roughly 5 mins for each passage
The last question for each passage is always the hardest
If you don’t know it, don’t spend too much time on it. Move on.
There are 3 types of passages:
Data Representation (there are roughly 3-4 per test)
questions based on a diagram, table, picture, etc.
Research Summary (2-4 per test)
presents the results of experiments and asks you to compare the results
questions over results/method of research
different viewpoints on the same issue
compare/contrast the viewpoints
Don’t read the passages first. Look at the questions and graphs. Most of the passages are designed to slow you down, and you can answer the questions without them. If you feel like you need to read the passage after looking at the questions, go for it.
Exception: Passages with no graphs/tables where they ask you to examine different views (conflicting viewpoint passages)
Ignore fancy science words
There are different ways to approach questions-
you can use multiple choice strategies like estimation, use the answers provided and work the question backwards or guess and check
If you don’t know it, guess and move on. You have one minute for each problem, and if a problem is taking up too much time mark an answer and circle the question to come back to if you have time.
elementary algebra (Algebra 1 stuff)
intermediate algebra/coordinate geometry (algebra 2)
Review the topics before the test and do practice problems. There are tons of resources online, just search the topic you struggle with.
1/5 of answers are “no change”
This is English, NOT reading. Don’t waste your time reading the passages, go to the underlined portions and read the sentences around them if you need context.
Exception: questions that ask about paragraph order, order of sentences, main idea, etc.
When all answers mean the same thing, choose the shortest one. (Omit needless words, Strunk and White #17)
If you have an “omit” question (where they underline a phrase and ask you if it should be deleted) read it without the underlined portion first and see if it makes sense.
It helps if you know the Strunk and White rules
For sentence boundaries, use . : ;
To set off clauses inside sentences, use , - or ( )
If you see theses words, ACT is asking for a specific example from the test
If you read the words LEAST, NOT, or EXCEPT in a question circle it so you don’t miss it!
If you see a YES or NO question look at the NO options first
If you see a KEEP or DELETE question look at the KEEP options first
When you have three answer choices that mean the same thing, always choose the old man out.
The most common correct answer concerning punctuation is the one with no punctuation (ACT irony) If in doubt, leave it out.
You have 35 minutes to read 4 passages and answer 40 questions, so you get roughly 8.5 minutes per passage.
Depending on your target score, preview the test and pick the hardest passage to leave out. (Not recommended if you’re going for high twenties or anywhere in the 30s… you have to do them all) If you’re going for a higher score, leave the most difficult passage until last.
Skim the questions and circle key words before you read, take note of questions that reference specific lines in the text (I put the number of the question by that line)
This is helpful, but make sure you’re doing this quickly! It is meant to save time but it’s not worth it if it takes you too long. I would do this on a practice ACT first to make sure it will work for you.
Most correct answers are paraphrases of the text.
Be careful if a question uses exact words from the text because in most cases the meaning has been changed and they are trying to trap you.
Questions containing always, all, never and other absolutes are usually a trap because they mean that there can be no exceptions.
Circle contrast words. (However, but, despite, yet, therefore, nonetheless)
ACT doesn’t care about your opinion– if you disagree with the passage, you just have to move past it!
You are provided with a prompt that presents an issue and two points of view. You are supposed to write on your position.
how you articulate your opinion
how well you maintain focus on the topic
how you organize your essay
your use of standard english
In your intro, make sure you
give the argument broader context
have your thesis as the last sentence
Have good transitions and topic sentences
develop your ideas logically and fully
make sure you stay focused on the issue
Explain the weaknesses/limitations of these positions
Give a specific example, relate it to your argument.
How is the view you picked better than this one? (”The other view says this, however, …”)
Clear transition (”In conclusion…”)
summarize the ideas clearly
Overall, make sure you have varied sentence structure, strong word choice, and as little spelling/mechanical errors as possible.
