ACT Tips

ACT Tips: This section will provide some tips to those students who want to obtain the best ACT test scores they can. The tips presented will start with general test taking tips, followed by tips specific to each test section.

General ACT tips:

• Take practice tests in advance. Getting familiar with the test will save valuable time on test day. It also helps the student to be familiar with the instructions in advance
• Read the instructions on the test booklet cover carefully. Even if you have taken a practice test, its a good idea to refresh your memory.
• Read the directions for each section carefully. Even if you have taken a practice test, its a good idea to refresh your memory.
• Use a #2 pencil, and have a good eraser available.
• Mark your answers very clearly and completely.
• If you change an answer, completely erase the original answer.
• Answer all the easy questions first, then go back to the harder ones. This ensures that the student get credit for all the questions they know the answer to, even if they run out of time before finishing the harder ones.
• Answer every question. The penalty for a wrong answer is no different than the penalty for not answering a question at all. In other words, students should guess on those questions where they simply do not know the answer.
• Before guessing on harder questions, eliminate obvious wrong answers. This improves the chances that a guess will be correct.
• If you finish the test before time is up, review your work and check for errors.
• Stop work when you are told to stop. This will lead to disqualification from the exam.

Additional ACT English test tips:

• Consider all possible answers before picking the best one.
• Reread the passage using your selected answer to verify that its the best one.
• Consider style and points of emphasis in the original passage.
• Avoid answers that provide redundant information.
• Avoid answers that are too long. Select concise, direct answers to questions.
• Make sure that the answer provided is 100% relevant to the passage.
• If you just don't know the correct answer, pick the shortest one. Statistically, this is your best guess.

Additional ACT Math test tips:

• Put new batteries in your calculator before test day.
• Make sure you understand the question being asked before answering it.
• Determine the answer to the problem without referencing the possible answers provided.
• Find the answer from the possible choices.
• If you can't figure out the answer, simply try plugging the correct answer in, and seeing if it works. Sometimes, this is easier.
• Beware of the answer "cannot be determined". It is usually wrong.
• Students should re-check their work before moving on.

Additional ACT Reading test tips:

• Carefully read and understand the essay provided before attempting to answer the question. Every question can be answered using the information in the passage.
• Answer the general questions first. This will help you better understand the essay before answering the detailed questions. It will also make sure you get all the easier questions answered first.
• Keep in mind that more than one answer may be correct, but you need to find the answer that best fits the essay.
• Pay attention to how a potential answer fits into the essay before selecting it.
• Don't go to the next passage until you are done with the current one.

Additional ACT Science test tips:

• Carefully read and understand the passage provided before attempting to answer the question.
• Don't skip the first question. In the ACT Science test, difficulty in answering this question suggests you will not be able to answer the other ones either. If you are stuck here, go back and read the passage again before proceeding further.
• Focus on eliminating bad choices. Some questions may have more than one answer that seems right, and you should compare those before making your final selection.