ACT Prep Tips - From The Pros

If you are a high school Junior, the spring semester means one thing…standardized testing! We know, this isn’t exactly what you had in mind when thinking of a fun springtime. However, performing well on your ACT exam will help give you a better shot at earning admission to your dream college next fall. This means it’s time to start prepping and reviewing testing materials as you get closer to the exam date.

The ACT requires a lot of prep time, commitment during the exam, and money! The test itself can cost anywhere from $60-$100, making it a large investment. As you continue to put effort into your future education, here are a few tips you need to know about preparing for the ACT - directly from the pros! 

Focus On Your Weaknesses First 

When it comes to prepping for the ACT, you want to be sure that you leave yourself enough time to gain support in areas that are most challenging to you. As you look over course materials, you want to pay extra attention to weaknesses and what you can do to turn them into strengths. Your time is precious - especially the time you dedicate to studying for the ACT! This is why prioritizing subjects based on the level of difficulty is critical to crafting a solid study plan. 

Take Practice Exams

The best way to prep for the ACT exam is by taking practice exams. Practice exams will help you develop your pacing, to ensure you get through each section with enough time to complete the test. If you spend too long working through a specific problem, you might not have enough time to show what you know in following questions! Taking practice exams will help you get a sense of what will be on the real test, and how long you have to get through each section.

Create Real-Life Scenarios 

When preparing for the ACT, try to create real-life scenarios to help you prep for testing day. When completing practice exams or sections, only allow yourself the time you will have during the actual exam, so you can get a sense of what you will be working with come test day. You should also practice putting away your phone and other technology, so you can prepare for a device-free testing environment. Using the standardized calculator allowed during the exam will also help you prepare with the real-life tools you will be allowed to use during the test. 

Use Quality Study Materials 

ACT prep materials can oftentimes contain a lot of outdated material. Give yourself the best chance at being successful by investing in high-quality study materials. Everything from prep books to practice tests should be ACT-approved and created within the last 1-3 years. 

Take Ownership of Your Success

The future of your education is up to one person - YOU! Your mentality when it comes to standardized test taking is a key component of your success. If you believe you can do it and put in the study time, your results will be proof of your efforts! 

Make It Fun - Explore Group Tutoring!

Practicing solo day in and day out can be exhausting. Instead of trying to tackle test prep all on your own, seek out friends or classmates who are also planning on sitting for the ACT exam! You can join together to make a study group and even seek tutoring services to help keep your learning on track. 

For tutoring support and test-taking help, contact SiSTEM Tutoring today!