Ace Your ACT: A Step-by-Step Study Plan for Busy Students
If I say ACT, what is your first reaction? Your heart begins to race? Your stomach drops? You become nauseous? What if I told you that there is a way to erase those feelings and ace your next ACT? To accomplish this, you must have a strategic approach. The ACT isn’t just a test—it’s a four-hour opportunity to show colleges exactly what you’re capable of. But without a plan, it can feel like staring at a mountain with no trail map. Let’s change that.
Understanding the ACT’s Structure:
So, what exactly is the ACT? To begin building your test-taking confidence, you must first understand the format of the ACT. According to act.org, “The ACT test is a curriculum-based education and career planning tool for high school students that assesses the mastery of college readiness standards.” It usually consists of 5 sections: Math, English, Science, Reading, and an optional Writing section. However, a new, enhanced version of the ACT test has been released. The new amount of time and questions breakdown is as follows:
Math: 45 questions, 50 minutes
English: 50 questions, 35 minutes
Science: 40 questions, 40 minutes
Reading: 36 questions, 40 minutes
Writing: 1 essay prompt, 40 minutes
In addition to these time changes, the new ACT test will include embedded field testing, an optional science section, and reduced answer choices. These changes are a huge benefit to future test-takers. With fewer questions and more time, you are able to allot more attention to each question, further improving your chances of scoring higher.
Set Your Goal:
Next, you must set a goal. Just stating that you want to get a high score is not enough – make it specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. Make it SMART. If your goal is to get into a specific university, start by researching that university’s average ACT score. That is your goal. Additionally, you want to ensure that your goal is realistic, but still ambitious. You need something to work towards, but not something that could disappoint you.
Create a Study Plan:
Next, create a study plan. Start by breaking down the time between now and your next ACT test. I suggest allotting 3-4 months of preparation, but even 1 week will suffice. Then, you need to determine how dedicated you will be to studying. If you know you only have extra time on Sundays, schedule ACT studying workblocks every Sunday. You will only see progress if you stay consistent, so make sure that you are scheduling realistically. I would also recommend scheduling time to take full practice tests to simulate the real test. The more comfortable you are with the test, time restraints, and environment, the better you will do on test day.
Section-by-Section Strategies:
First, I would recommend purchasing the Official Act Prep Guide to help you prepare. This is what I have always used to study, and it is a true game-changer. You can find it at this link: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/act-subject-guides.html
If this book is not in your budget, that is absolutely okay! There are so many free resources on websites, Youtube, etc. Here is a list of my favorite strategies:
English: Review grammar rules, punctuation, and concision. DO NOT (!!) read the full grammar passages!! Only read a sentence or two before the underlined portion. Reading the full passage is an enormous waste of time.
Math: Focus on your weak spots, memorize formulas, and practice without a calculator. Math is probably the most standard-based test. You honestly need to know how to solve each problem, which means taking the required math classes.
Reading: Practice pacing, active reading, and answering questions. Again, I recommend not reading the whole passage. Read the questions first, then search for the answers in the passage.
Science: Look for patterns in data, skim (DO NOT FULLY READ) for key variables, and practice interpreting graphs. In my opinion, the science section is not about science at all. It’s about interpretation.
In conclusion, you need to find the strategies that work for you. If you do better reading the full passages, then answering questions, then do that. Find your strategies. If you need more help, definitely check out PrepPros on Youtube. They are extremely helpful in breaking down each section, including last minute tips.
Test Day Game Plan:
Below are a few tips to remember for your next test day:
Sleep well the night before.
Eat a protein-rich breakfast.
Bring pencils, ID, calculator, snacks, and your admission ticket.
Pace yourself!
Answer every question — there’s no penalty for guessing
No matter your score, this test does not define you. The ACT is one part of your college application and your high school career, but the effort you put into preparing teaches discipline that lasts beyond test day. I wish you the best in your testing journey!
RISE. LEAD. SUCCEED.
Love,
Juliet & Study Strong