Some people prefer tests without writing sections since they take up more time and effort to finish. Even so, honing this skill can help you beyond test-taking.
The writing test is optional for the ACT, being applicable depending on the test taker or school’s requirements. Still, it helps to know how to prepare for it.
Here are a few tips for mastering your exam writing skills, whether it’s for the ACT or other exams!
Focus on Time Management
One of the most important aspects of preparing for the ACT is learning to manage your time. It’s mainly because the ACT itself is a timed test.
Focusing on time management while you prepare allows you to get used to the limit. At the same time, it encourages you to divide your time accordingly to avoid wasting minutes without progress.
A quick way to try this is by having a testing timer while you take practice tests. You can also use it when you practice general writing to determine how long you usually take to complete an essay.
A Rough Draft is Enough
You might be tempted to write everything in one go or go through it two times to correct errors or make changes. But with the time constraint, this may be challenging to do while feeling satisfied with the results.
Instead, focus on creating rough drafts. Instead of writing down the entire essay, you can use it to guide you through the structure of your work.
When creating the outline, you want to include any important points and organize the flow of your work.
Comprehend the Question Well
Take your time to understand the exam question or topic. This way, you can be extra sure you’re on the right track with your work.
If possible, look for the main points and highlight them. It can also serve as your guide while you formulate your draft and write the rest of your essay.
You also want to practice analyzing and summarizing the questions to come up with a better answer during the test.
Get Feedback on Your Works
It helps to get feedback on your writing from people you know. It can be your professors, family, or friends. Doing so lets you get an idea of how they understand your text and if the message comes across clearly, even without letting them know what it is beforehand.
Moreover, feedback lets you know where you can improve and which parts to work on. So, you want to remind yourself to be open to their opinions and apply them accordingly.
Practice Writing Freely
You can consider practicing how to write during your free time. The more you write, whether for school or personal purposes, the more you can hone your exam writing skills.
Additionally, it helps you feel more calm and confident about your work. As a result, you can achieve a better score on the test.
Boost Your Exam Writing Skills for the ACT
Practice is the key to improving your exam writing skills. Although the ACT writing test is optional, it helps to prepare for it as much as you do for the rest of the sections. Either way, it’s a skill that can get you through college with ease, so you may want to consider it!
