The ACT is one of several college preparatory exams that future college and graduate students are required to take before they are officially admitted to one of the best universities or colleges. This particular exam consists of several shorter tests that focus on different areas of knowledge in math, English, reading, writing, and science. Each of these tests is designed to measure the knowledge you’ve acquired in each area.
For instance, the science section covers all scientific functions, such as interpretation, analysis, reasoning, evaluation, and problem-solving. You will be tested in areas such as Earth/space sciences, biology, physics, and chemistry. Reading tests your ability to comprehend material you will usually encounter in your first year of college. The math portion measures the skills you have acquired in 12 years of schooling. The English portion tests your understanding of English and knowledge of language and writing/grammar skills.
ACT Test Prep Overview
Register to Take the Test
If you are younger than 13, or you cannot pay for your registration fee using a credit card, you should register by mail; this will be the only way you can register for this exam.
If you are older than 13 and will be using a credit card in your registration, you should create an online account with the ACT testing organization. Online registration takes about 40 minutes; this will require internet access, your high school course details, and a headshot photo (your yearbook photo will suffice).
You’ll also provide a parent’s email address and notification of any accommodations you need.
What is the Cost?
Your location affects how much you’ll pay for your ACT registration. Also, if you plan to take the writing portion, this will impact the final cost. In the U.S., with no writing test, you will pay $60; with the writing exam, you will pay $85. If you are not in the U.S. and you won’t be taking the writing exam, you will pay $150; if you will be taking the writing exam, your cost will be $166.50.
What Score Do You Want?
You probably have a final ACT test score in mind. Once you get your scores back, you hope to score at or very close to 36. However, a couple factors enter in here. First, you will receive a composite score that shows how well you scored in comparison to other students who have taken the ACT test. If your score is in a higher percentage, say 60%, this means you did better than 60% of the students who took the exam. If you have an ACT score of 26, you scored higher than 82% of other students taking this exam. Many college admissions will request your SAT score and or your ACT score when applying for the university.
Second, you want a score that’s high enough to help you get into the colleges and universities of your choice. Some state colleges are more competitive than others. Therefore, you want your composite score to be a little higher than it is for other students competing to get into the same school.
Learn What to Study
When you are studying for your ACT test, do so in an orderly way. Take each subject area and study it separately. Subject areas include English, math, reading, science, and writing. Your study sessions will be much more productive if you use study guides, which are available in different areas.
For English, you’ll review and study the elements of writing. Pay attention to the writing styles used in each passage. For math, read and understand each question. Use your calculator only when needed, solve the problem. In reading, read each passage completely. Then, read each of the answer choices and choose the one that best answers the question. For science, read each question and refer to the scientific information found in each passage. Consider each answer choice and choose the one that best answers the question.
Retaking the Test
The ACT test site said that you can take this exam up to, but no more than 12 times total. If you do take the ACT 12 times, then ACT will give you an exception for state and district testing that is required by your district or your state Department of Education.
If you submit a Retest Exception Request Form by no later than the regular registration deadline for the test date that you want to use for your 13th test date, then other exceptions will be considered. If you do take the ACT more than once, all of your scores from one test date will be reported. In this case, you’ll need to designate a whole test record to be reported.
Accommodations for Those with Disabilities
If you are a student in an English as a Second Language (ESL) class, you may qualify for an accommodation that will allow you to do your best in this exam. If you suffer from a disability that has been documented by your school district and school, you may also qualify to request an accommodation for testing. You must be currently receiving accommodations in your high school because of a professionally diagnosed and documented disability. An ACT Policy for Accommodation Documentation will help you as you work through the process of requesting accommodations for testing.
Test Prep Resources and Study Resources
Apps
You are probably comfortable and used to downloading and using mobile apps for fun. Use this as a resource to practice for your ACT. You and your parents will be able to find several of the study and practice apps on different platforms, such as iOS and/or Android. As you explore each app, make note of which ones provide what you need. These apps should be free, making it easier for you to gain access to the material you need.
Free ACT Practice Test and Books
Khan Academy has paired with the College Board, which created the SAT. Both companies produce free test materials for the SAT only. Even though the test materials are geared only for the SAT, you could still use them for your ACT-specific studying. Because both the SAT and the ACT test you on similar subjects, you’ll be able to take your practice tests. This practice material covers material tested in the ACT (parts of speech and grammar).
The huge overlap between the SAT and ACT lets you cover similar material. Ever since the SAT had its major overhaul, the test prep materials have become much easier to use as you prepare for your exam. The SAT tests your critical reading, language, science, math, and writing skills, some of which are also in the ACT. While the questions won’t be the same as those in the ACT, they are now much more similar. You will be able to find unofficial ACT practice tests online, but may have a harder time finding an official ACT practice test. Here are a few you can try:
ACT Prep Courses and Study Groups
The ACT Academy is free and online so you can cover test prep, study sessions, and take practice tests. You’ll have interactive practice questions, video lessons, full-length practice tests, educational games, and other helpful materials to use.
An in-person prep class, which will involve you and a small group of students, is taught by an instructor who will help you to stay accountable. You’ll get in-class practice and homework.
Tutors can give you individualized attention as you prepare for your test. Your tutor can give you immediate feedback and help to customize your lessons for your learning style and needs. If you need help with one section, you’ll focus on that. This is the most flexible option for your needs.
Tutors
Sometimes, you need a personal ACT tutor. Whether in-person or online, this professional will guide you through the preparation process for your exam.
- Caring tutors who work on an individualized study plan with students
- Flexible tutoring packages
- Access to a live, online classroom prep courses
- Exams with score analysis that point out areas for improvement
- Prep books to supplement private tutoring
- Practice questions to help your confidence level
Tips for Studying and Test Taking Strategies
The ACT will probably be the biggest exam you’ll ever take, not including entrance exams for graduate school. Still, this needn’t scare you. You can develop several strategies that will help you to feel more confident that you’ll earn a good score on test day.
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Familiarize yourself with test content. Go over the information in the official ACT “Preparing for the ACT” booklet. Every exam covers English, Math, Writing (optional), Science, and Reading. You’ll have to answer a different number of questions in each section, with 40 to 60 minutes per section. The ACT is predictable, in that it tests a set number of concepts. In those concepts, you’ll see different topics being repeated throughout your test.
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Bring your knowledge and skills up to date in the different content areas. Review, review, review. Study old material and refresh your knowledge in each content area. Each area will make up large sections of the entire exam. If you have text books in these content areas, go through them, focusing on math and grammar. As you are studying these areas, test your new knowledge. Write out a few practice questions and measure your progress.
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Review (and re-review) content areas you aren’t sure of. If you can, take coursework in those areas before you’re scheduled to take the test. The most frequently tested areas are English and math. Focus on algebra, grammar, trigonometry, and geometry. The questions are predictable, so if you focus on these areas, you should do well. Study each content area as broadly as you can, because you’ll see questions in those areas coming up several times.
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Buy two or more reputable ACT study books. Companies such as McGraw-Hill and Kaplan will be able to provide you with the books you need to round out your studies. As you are looking for your books, focus on finding those with supplemental areas that help you to study and prep more efficiently. If they have practice tests, all the better. You will also be able to find materials you need on the ACT website; the ACT Official Guide is an excellent source.
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Learn to think the way test-makers think. Try to figure out what they “prefer” in the answers you choose. Economy of language, or “short and sweet” answers, in the English area are something they want. At times, you will be just guessing, but if you read between the lines of your study guide, you’ll figure it out. Order the ACT eBook, which is free.
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Figure out your weaknesses, then focus on them. If you are not very strong in math, or you are a slow reader, you can work on these areas before test day. During every practice session, focus on making these weak areas stronger, so you have a better chance of passing the test with a high score. Also, take practice tests so you can pinpoint the areas where you need to work harder and where you are improving.
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Register early, then plan a study schedule that doesn’t add unneeded stress. Ideally, you should register at least three months before you want to take your test. At the same time, determine how much studying you need to do so you can create a schedule that allows you to review and learn what you need. (If you are still in school, you still have to leave time to do regular homework assignments.) Decide how much time you can reasonably study each week. If you know you can only devote between 25 and 45 minutes daily to study, then it’s better to know this ahead of time.