The ACT: Things to Remember
The American College Test (ACT) is one of the most popular college-readiness exams taken nationwide. To pass this test, you should acquaint yourself with what to expect, brush up on the test subjects, and take practice tests as far in advance as possible.
In addition to a writing test, the ACT is composed of test sections on four subjects: English, Math, Reading, and Science. With each of these four main subjects, you will be presented with a series of multiple-choice questions. Each question typically offers four or five different possible answers. If you are traditionally more comfortable with tests involving essay questions, you may find the free practice tests offered online at sites, such as uniontestprep.com/act, particularly useful in increasing your comfort level.
A few general principles apply equally to all test sections. The first is a skill you can hone as you test your subject knowledge: pacing. Some students experience a case of the butterflies when they know the timer is running. Keep in the mind that the test is designed to allow you enough time to complete each section. Time yourself as you take the practice ACT. With the practice versions, start incorporating the tried-and-true advice to move at a brisk pace through the questions you feel confident about, returning to the more difficult questions with any time left over for that section.
As with any test, read the directions and each individual question carefully. As part of this idea, ensure that you fill in the answer oval exactly as indicated in test instructions. Similarly, make certain that if you need to erase, you do so thoroughly. If you find there are one or two questions that you cannot confidently figure out the answer to—guess. While a question left blank will automatically count against your score, a guess just might result in a correct answer.
The Writing section of the ACT tests your ability to compose a college-entry-level essay in a time span of 40 minutes. As with the multiple choice sections, there are free practice prompts available online. One strategy that works for many students is to, immediately after receiving the prompt, take some time to plan out your basic approach and jot down some notes on structure. On test day, it is unlikely that you will have time to write a full rough draft and then write a separate final version. Therefore, it will help you to practice composing a single draft within the allotted time, making edits after you are finished and as time allows.
As you approach test day, try to remember that all test takers have strengths as well as areas of challenge. If taking an initial practice test results in a low score in one section, this doesn’t mean you’re doomed to perform poorly on test day—it means you’ve recognized a challenge area and know where you may need practice. As you continue to study and take as many practice tests as needed, you will prepare yourself for success.