ACT Practice Test Strategies for Each Section

The ACT is more than just a test—it's a doorway to higher education, scholarships, and new opportunities.

Imagine laying your eyes on the ACT practice booklet. Can you feel your heartbeat loudly beating? That can be normal the first time, but trust us when we say you can lessen your anxiety through practice tests.

Because of this, you can boost your scores on the actual test. But, before that day, let’s take the time to learn ACT practice test strategies.

General Test-taking Strategies

Whether preparing for a college entrance exam, a professional certification, or just a classroom test, having these strategies in mind will let you conquer anything. Here are some tried-and-true methods to help you perform at your best.

Time Management Techniques

The first, perhaps the most important, is time management mastery. Here's how to break it down:

• • Get a Quick Overview

  Start by quickly glancing over the entire test to gauge its length and complexity. This will give you a sense of what lies ahead.

• • Allocate Your Time

  If you have 60 questions and 60 minutes, that's roughly a minute per question.

  However, remember that some questions will take longer than others. If a section is particularly challenging, skip it and return later.

  To practice answering and finishing right on time, use Testing Timers. It will enhance your time management skills and maximize your ability.

• • Use Milestones

  For instance, if you're halfway through your allotted time, you should ideally be around the halfway point in your test.

  Regularly checking your progress against time can help you adjust your pace as needed.

Carefully Read Instructions

It may sound elementary, but reading the instructions is essential.

Remember, there's a world of difference between "choose all that apply" and "choose the best answer." Misreading or overlooking such directions can be a costly mistake.

Before diving into the questions, understand the format and what's expected in your responses.

Guessing Strategy: When and How to Guess

Guessing shouldn’t be your first resort, but it doesn’t have to make you guilty for doing it, either. It’s pure luck if you get a high score out of guessing. Here are some of our tips:

• • Eliminate Wrong Answers

  Often, one or two options can be quickly ruled out as incorrect. This increases the odds of guessing correctly.

• • Look for Clues

  Sometimes, one question can provide insights or answers to another. Stay alert for such connections.

• • Take the Risk

  If there's no penalty for wrong answers, it's better to guess than to leave a question blank.

Keeping Track of and Revisiting Difficult Questions

It's necessary to avoid getting beaten down by tricky questions during a test. Instead, do these strategies:

• • Mark Them

  Whether it's a star, a check, or a circle, have a consistent method for indicating questions you're unsure about.

• • Move On to the Next

  Instead of getting stuck, continue with the test. Often, answering other questions can jog your memory. It can also provide clarity.

• • Revisit with Fresh Eyes

  Once you've completed the test, return to the marked questions. Your refreshed perspective might see something you previously missed.

Section-specific Strategies

Each section of a standardized test, like the ACT, presents challenges. To determine their pattern, below are some strategies you need to remember.

• 1. English

  • • Before finalizing an answer, ensure it makes sense within the broader sentence or paragraph.
    For instance, the sentence's tone, tense, and flow can hint at the correct punctuation or word choice.
  • • Over time, we’ve found that the ACT frequently tests specific grammar rules:
    
    
    • • Subject-verb agreement
    • • Parallel structure
    • • Misplaced modifiers and more.
    
    Familiarize yourself with these common pitfalls.
  • • Not sure about the exact rule? Eliminate options inconsistent with the rest of the sentence or that sound awkward.

  • 2. Math

    • • While some formulas are provided, others aren’t. Create a set of flashcards with key formulas like the:
      
      
      • • Quadratic equation
      • • Pythagorean theorem
      
      Regularly reviewing these helped cement them in my mind.
    • • Wordy problems can be intimidating.Underline key information and translate words into mathematical operations step-by-step.
    • • Familiarize yourself with your calculator's functions in advance. But remember: a calculator is a tool. It should not do everything for you.

    3. Reading

    • • Engage with the passage. Underline the names, dates, and key events.
    • • Listing down a one-line summary for each paragraph. This technique made returning to the passage for answers much quicker.
    • • Tackle questions you are confident about first.
    • • Instead of relying on memory or intuition, find the specific line or section supporting your answer.

  • 4. Science

    • • Before diving into details, ask yourself: Are there evident patterns or trends in the graphs and tables?
    • • The Science section tests your ability to interpret and analyze data. Focus on honing these skills.
    • • Read questions before passages. You can read the passage looking for specific answers by knowing what was being asked.

  • 5. Writing (Essay)

    • • Organizing your thoughts before writing. Outline your essay, provide a clear roadmap, and make your arguments clearer.
    • • Create a clear thesis statement. It should guide every paragraph in your essay.
    • • A claim without evidence is just an opinion. Back it up with examples or data.

  Wrapping Up

  Like training for a marathon, tackle the ACT with dedication through these practice test strategies. As you embark on your ACT journey, remember to equip yourself with knowledge, the right tactics, and a resilient mindset.