Test-taking isn't always about how much you can remember and understand. With a timed test like the ACT, it's also about the strategies you take.
How you approach each section can factor into your success, especially if you have a specific target score. But what should you consider?
Here are a few ACT testing tips to get you started!
Answer as Many as You Can
Unlike other tests, the ACT focuses solely on your correct answers. It's because they don't penalize you for any question you get wrong.
Because of this, many suggest aiming to answer as many questions as accurately as you can. This way, you can maximize your chances as much as possible.
Make Smart Guesses
There's no shame in guessing during a test. In fact, it's something common even for other exams like the SAT. What matters is that you make educated guesses instead.
The ACT doesn't count any wrong answers to your score, so you can score additional points by guessing questions you initially don't know the answer to.
For multiple-choice questions, a quick tip to consider is looking for the wrong options. When you do so, you can make the answer seem more clear, making you feel extra sure about it.
Stay Focused
It's important to keep your focus while you take the ACT, especially because it's a timed test. When you get distracted, it takes away some of your time and causes you to run out of time to work on the rest of the test.
Most ACT testing tips and strategies also involve paying close attention to the order of how you answer each question. Usually, it's best to start with the easy ones to leave enough time for the harder questions.
Depending on how quick you are, you might even have extra time to go through everything.
Be Wary of the Time
Knowing how much time you have left during a timed test can help you more than it looks. Just be sure you aren't checking it too much to stress yourself out.
Being wary of the time helps you maintain your pace and determine whether you should speed up or slow down. At the same time, it lets you know if your current strategy is working well or if you should switch it up.
Read Directions and Questions Well
With a timed test like the ACT, some students tend to skim through everything, including the directions. But when taking an exam, instructions are more crucial than they seem.
You want to take your time to read and understand every direction and question well. This way, you won't find yourself losing tons of points for getting the wrong idea.
Consider These Quick ACT Testing Tips to Get Better Scores
ACT tricks go beyond what you learn and understand from lessons if you want to score higher. Since it's a timed exam, it's important to have an effective strategy.
A good way to see which works best for you is by trying these with a practice exam and test timer This way, you can determine how you should go about it while applying other helpful ACT testing tips.