12 best act prep study guide

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You Got This: A Breakdown Of The ACT Scores

The ACT is the leading US college admissions test, giving college admission departments a deeper look into your capabilities as a student and how prepared you are for college. In fact, some say your ACT scores hold greater value than your GPA in college admissions, so it's important to know how scores are measured, what to aim for, and how colleges and universities view your results.

First, Breathe

The ACT could very well be your ticket into the school of your dreams (no pressure!). You probably already have a good idea of what you're going to be tested on, but with so much riding on one test, it doesn't hurt to take a moment to review what's on the ACT.

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Getting Plenty of Practice

Although the best way to prepare for the ACT is to take rigorous high school classes and do well in them, it also helps to know the test format and types of questions that will be asked so that there are no surprises on test day. Your level of comfort in taking the ACT also plays an important role in how well you will do, and the best way to build that confidence is by taking practice tests.

Practice tests help you mentally prepare for the ACT and identify strengths and areas of needed improvement that should be addressed in order to improve test performance. For example, if time runs out while you're taking a practice test, then you need to work on pacing. Practice tests also are good indicators of areas where you excel and which subject areas may need further study before taking the ACT.

Take Note

Write notes in the practice test to highlight key details, or work out a problem on paper.

Stay in the Lines

Mark answers on the answer sheet carefully, and write the essay neatly and in the correct place in the practice test (essay must be written using a soft-lead pencil).

Pick One

Make sure only one answer is marked on the answer sheet for each question and that there are no stray marks.

Check Your Math

Check math calculations using scratch paper or the permitted calculator.

Make a Guess

Answer all the questions on the answer sheet—using logic to eliminate incorrect answer choices if unsure, since you will not be penalized for guessing on the test.

Divide and Conquer

Divide the available time per section by the number of questions (if you have 60 minutes to complete 60 math questions, then plan to spend one minute on each question). If you're taking the writing test, divide your time into planning, writing, and then revising the essay.

Get a Head Start

Review the directions ahead of time to prevent wasting time during the actual test.

Read with Care

Read each question carefully to avoid preventable errors.

Circle Back

Tackle the easy questions first and then go back to the more difficult questions if time allows (mark a skipped question on the practice test, not the answer sheet, to quickly refer back later).