So, the dreaded ACT. Or, the test that decides if you get into the college/university you want (if you live in America). I’ve compiled a list of websites and book reviews to help you prepare and review for the test, as well as some general test-taking tips.
So, without further ado, here’s how I have a 32 on the ACT (
Overview
“The ACT® test contains four multiple-choice tests: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The ACT with writing includes the four multiple-choice tests and a writing test.” (act.org)
So, basically, the test is around 4 hours long and begins at 8:00am with a 10 minute break in the middle. It’s a long one, but studying beforehand will ensure that you don’t have to take it as many times as I have (5 times ugh).
English
This is the first section and the one with the most amount of questions. You have 45 minutes to complete 75 questions asked about grammar rules and word choice in the English language.
Tips:
30% of the questions involve choosing the simplest answer. Don’t go for the one that says “Although, in a way, her ex-mistress began, in a lively manner…” No, choose the ones like “Her ex-mistress happily began…”
Remember “NO CHANGE” and “OMIT” are plausible choices! On this past ACT (June 2016), I found myself choosing that a decent amount of the time, so just remember that it is a choice!
READ THE QUESTIONS IN YOUR HEAD! “Well, duh, Shelby, you have to if you want to answer it!” No, I mean, give it feeling. Pretend you’re working at a big editing firm and dramatize every. single. comma. I’m serious. Take around 2-3 seconds on each comma, and trust your gut.
MAIN FOCUS: comma rules!
The ACT loves to ask about comma rules! Approximately (and this is my own guess so please don’t shoot me) 50% of the questions were about commas and comma placement, so make sure you review those!
Math
As the second section with the most time allotted, math is the most draining part. You have 60 minutes to answer 60 questions, progressing in difficulty from the beginning to the end.
Tips:
I know, beating a dead horse here, but draw a picture! Especially on geometry questions, this can make or break our understanding!
To save time, go through the answer choices on variable equations and plug them in using your calculator. This is how I finish on time.
If you can’t answer it within a minute, skip it and and move on! You can always come back to it or guess the most reasonable!
MAIN FOCUS: geometry and pre-algebra!
A huge portion of the ACT questions in math ask about some kind of geometry, be it planar or coordinate, and super basic algebra (proportions, one variable equations), so just go back and review these things (especially basic area and volume equations).
BREAK TIME!!!!
Use these ten minutes to destress. You’re halfway through, and you only have 70 minutes left of testing (unless you’re taking the ACT with Essay [I’m sorry lol]). Ten minutes go by very quickly, so don’t loiter around talking to friends; take care of yourself.
Tips:
Eat a quick snack! Berries are especially good for your mind and memory!
Meditate! If you’re experienced with meditation, I do really recommend this, because it’ll bring you some peace in the middle of this stress.
Take a brisk walk! Even if it’s just pacing back and forth in the classroom, I’m urging you to move around. It gets your blood pumping and will help you feel more awake, because this is a Saturday morning: everyone’s tired.
PEE. Go to the bathroom. Please. It will save you getting distracted in the reading and science sections when you need to really concentrate.
Okay, back to the test.
READING
Four passages, 35 minutes, 40 questions. To a lot of people, this seems like the easiest, but then the scores come back and they’re surprised. There are only four kinds of passages: prose fiction, social sciences, humanities, natural sciences.
Tips:
Decide which you can get the most points on (if you’re really good at analyzing nonfiction, choose one of the nonfiction, but if you’re a regular mortal like myself, stick with the order they give you.) and do it first.
Make sure you read the question properly! Please don’t miss a “NOT” or “LEAST LIKELY” because you didn’t take enough time to read the question.
Don’t spend five minutes trying to pronounce something like “Domenikos Theotokopulos” because you can just call him Dom (Greek painter that moved to Spain, got famous, and got nicknamed “El Greco” or The Greek.)
What I do: I always skim the passage first, absorb a little bit of information, and then it makes it easier for me to reference the passage for specific details I missed.
MAIN FOCUS: Pay attention for transition words like “however,” “but,” “yet,” and others that make the focus shift. These are almost always asked about!
SCIENCE
Again, the science test has 40 questions to answer in 35 minutes, and this is where most people run out of time. Most of this test is being able to read graphs and charts, with a little bit of middle school science knowledge mixed in. There are three different kinds of passages: Data Representation (interpret info in charts or tables), Research Summaries (analyze the design of an experiment), and Conflicting Viewpoints (more like critical reading!).
Tips:
On this one, skip straight to the questions and then go back to find the answers. Reading and trying to understand the passage right off the bat will just waste time.
You don’t have to know even a little about what they’re talking about. Haven’t taken chemistry and there’s an entire passage about it? Don’t stress: just breathe and eliminate the choices you know are wrong using information given!
BREATHE. YOU’RE ALMOST DONE.
MAIN FOCUS: Relaxing and eliminating wrong answers! 50/50 is much better than 25/25/25/25!
ESSAY
Please don’t take everything I say about this too seriously because I can write really good AP essays, but I struggle a little with the ACT.
Each ACT essay prompt gives you three perspectives to analyze. Make sure you incorporate all of them into your essay. You have 40 minutes to write an essay, so make sure you use all your time to make it good!
GENERAL TESTING TIPS
Don’t just get good sleep the night before, get at least eight hours the entire week before! This will ensure that you aren’t too tired!
Answer every single question!!! Pick a letter and stick with it–B and G are apparently very popular answers…!
Eat a good breakfast! Berries and protein and carbs! Seriously, if you aren’t hungry during the test, you have one less thing to think about other than the test.
Don’t change your answer unless you can make a solid claim for it and against your original answer! This is how I always lose points. Don’t second-guess yourself!
Get your clothes and bag ready the night before. This will save you a ton of stress in the morning.
Think positive! If you go in thinking you’ll do well, you’re more likely to do well than if you go in thinking you’re going to fail, you probably will…
HELPFUL PREP LINKS
Official ACT Website
English Practice Questions
Math Practice Tests
Reading Practice Tests
Science Practice Tests
(ACT does an official Question of the Day if you sign into your account!)
PREP BOOKS
The REAL ACT Prep Guide Third Ed.
This is the one I used and I really liked it because it had five practice tests with explanations for the answers and scoring guides.
Cracking the ACT (Princeton Review) (4.4/5)
This has 6 practice tests (four in the book and two online) and is the bestseller on Amazon.
Kaplan ACT (4.1/5 stars)
Three tests in the book and three online.
Barron’s ACT 36 (4.5/5 stars)
It doesn’t say how many tests??? Also, a review says this one is very good for beginners.
Personal Message
Please please remember that this test isn’t a test of intelligence. It doesn’t define you as a student or as a person. That’s not to say it isn’t important, but remember there will always be another test date. Take care of yourself and try to relax. Don’t stress too much about your score. A 17 doesn’t make you stupid, just like a 36 doesn’t automatically make someone smart. I believe in you, and you’re going to rock it!
(If I got anything wrong, or you find something I can add, please let me know; I just want to help you all.)
