Frequently Asked Questions
How do you study for the ACT?
Know the test you are taking. For example, don’t come to the test without knowing whether or not it is best to guess on a question you don’t know the answer to, or if it is best to leave such a question blank. Also, practice eliminating wrong answers so it will be second nature when it is “game” time and you’re sitting for the real ACT. There are several other best practices we give to our enrollees.
Know your own weaknesses. If math makes you uncomfortable, then address that by spending more time working on math. Remember that when you take the actual test, you will be working hard and at a fast pace. Time yourself during practice tests to simulate real test conditions. Also, get a good night’s sleep on the night before the test.
Is the ACT difficult?
The ACT is supposed to review material learned up to the high school level. In theory, it should all be review. Some material, you may have never quite mastered as you were covering it the first time. Your ACT preparation is a great chance to tie down any loose ends in your knowledge of basic high school learnings—you’ll need to. What makes the test the most difficult is the fact that it is timed, so the student who knows the material extremely well and requires little time to determine correct answers will possess an advantage.
How long do you need to prepare for the ACT?
Give yourself enough time to prepare. Keep in mind the time-frame of how review and learning take place; you need to spend the time sitting down engaging with the materials, and you also need time away from the books to let things sink in. Be realistic about how much time you’ll need—a couple of months, using 1 hour daily, is a good place to start.
Your probability of achieving a target score based on your latest ACT ScoreCast© report will reveal whether or not you can take comfort in your present level of preparedness. It will also reveal which subjects you could study to raise your score the fastest.
When should I take the ACT?
The answer to this question is limited to the dates the test is offered. We suggest taking the test during the spring semester, or early summer after your junior year in high school. The material covered on the test is typically encountered by this time in high school. Two other advantages of testing at this time are that you can have time to study and re-take the exam as needed, and it will give you a picture of what’s feasible in terms of colleges you may want to attend—college applications are not free, they require some work filling out forms and writing essays, and you’ll have to get the people writing your recommendations separate instructions of how to submit their recommendations for each separate college to which you apply.