The night before the ACT is an incredibly stressful time for high schoolers nationwide. Pencils are prepared, calculators are charged, and stomachs are in knots due to anxiety for this high-stakes test. With many colleges moving away from their previous test-optional policies and requiring applicants to submit official SAT or ACT scores, the pressure to perform well is at an all-time high. But here’s the good news: you’re not alone!
By learning from previous test-takers’ experiences and taking the time to prepare beforehand with a good strategy, you can make your test day feel a lot less intimidating and earn a better score. Here are three tips to help you walk into test day feeling confident and ready!
#1: Know the format. Manage your time.
The hardest part of the ACT is the limited amount of time you have to get through each question. With the updated format cutting the number of questions given and altering the amount of time for each section, test-takers are now given more flexibility when managing their time. This is a huge advantage for those of you taking an upcoming test, but it is still important to figure out what pace works best for you. When asked about the timing distribution she used for the math section (in the old format), Senior Lily Plum Gartenlaub said, “For the first 20 questions, I did it in 10 minutes. For the next 20 questions, I did it in 20 minutes. And for the last 20 questions, I had 30 minutes.” Since the questions increase in difficulty over time, this method of moving quickly through the start of the math section is a very common trick. It’s a good idea to bring an ACT-approved watch on test day to keep track of your time on each section. To figure out the pace that works best for you, you simply need to practice!
#2: Practice. Practice. Practice.
The most important thing you need to do to prepare for the ACT is to simply practice. Senior Tyler Imrie said, “Just do enough practice beforehand. It’s pretty much just about getting as familiar as you can with each section.” This is a tip that any past test-taker will tell you! There are so many past tests available online, and one of the best websites to use to find the tests is PrepSharp. All you need to do is download the test, time yourself, and check your answers using the provided answer key. Then, look over your missed questions and try to figure out why you got them wrong. If it’s a certain grammar concept, be sure you fully understand the rules before you take your next test. If it’s a math question, you can try to find a YouTube video of someone walking through their process of the question. The truth about the ACT is that it often repeats similar question types from previous tests, so make sure you learn from your mistakes and do not make them again!
#3: Figure out your study plan.
Balancing schoolwork with ACT studying can be quite difficult, so you should create a plan for yourself to figure out how you will adequately prepare for your upcoming test. The most common pathway of preparation for Seven Hills students is to use a tutoring company, such as 36 Education. Imrie said, “36 Education was really helpful. Tutoring companies do make it a lot easier, but it’s so expensive. If you can get access to practice tests online, you should be fine with that, but it certainly helps to have a tutor to help you.” Gartenlaub said, “I think it really depends on how comfortable you are with testing to begin with. The ACT is not testing content that you haven’t already learned, but a tutor can be helpful if you have testing anxiety or worry about pacing.” Tutoring can be useful, but a self-study method can be just as effective if you’re motivated and consistent.
On test day, remember that you have done all the preparation you possibly can, and now all that’s left to do is to show off what you know. Hopefully, you’ll have multiple chances to improve your score. You can make this happen by beginning testing as soon as possible; the more opportunities you have, the better!
Remember that everyone is in the same boat. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a senior if you have any specific questions, as the majority have been through this exact same process. After the test, give yourself a break, relax, and wait about 2 weeks to get your score back.
Good luck on your ACT journey! You’ve got this.
