Prepping for the ACT exam may seem, at times, daunting; however, we’re here to help you with some practical advice. Once you have strategies in place, the process can be incredibly rewarding!
General Strategies
- In the months and weeks leading up to your ACT exam, set aside a consistent time to practice. Initially, focus on comprehension over speed; however, once you are confident with the former, you can begin timing yourself.
Reading passages – Strategies and Tips
- Start reading more challenging material, such as articles or essays; this is an opportunity to learn more about the world around you, whether it’s global affairs, history, art history, or social sciences. The more you read, the easier it will be to answer the questions connected to the passages.
- The ACT Reading test has four passages: Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science. Once you have familiarized yourself with each, you will begin to recognize which you find the easiest and hardest. During the exam, this will help you to determine the order in which to address them.
- Actively read the text in front of you, highlighting key words, names, transition words, and important details, but remember that you want to be selective about how much you highlight.
- Look out for words such as so, therefore, but, however, and moreover; these show relationships.
- By engaging with the passage, you are more likely to retain the information. A great strategy is to write down a word or two summarizing each paragraph. Ask yourself questions such as, “What is the purpose of this paragraph?” “What is the tone?” “What details should I pay attention to?”
- For dual passages, read the first passage and answer the related question; then read the second passage, answering specific questions pertaining to this passage and finally responding to all remaining ones.
- Once you have finished reading, try to predict some of the questions you may be asked.
How can I achieve the score I want while remaining mindful of the time?
- Students are provided 35 minutes to answer the 40 questions connected to the reading passages. Some instructors may encourage you to skim the answers first; however, this is less efficient. Always read the passage and then proceed to the questions.
- Keep in mind that you don’t need to answer all the questions in chronological order. Prioritize the easier questions and then return to the more difficult or time-consuming ones towards the end. Your primary goal is to answer as many questions correctly as possible.
- For many questions, it’s easiest to use process of elimination to determine the correct answer. Once you have decided upon your choice, always ensure that you find evidence within the text.
If you have any questions regarding the ACT or prep strategies, the Options team is here to assist. Our Writing Coaches work with students on a one-on-one basis to improve both comprehension and timing; we also offer ACT and SAT workshops throughout the year to help students strengthen their skills. Feel free to contact us for more information.
Make sure to follow our blog for part two: Hacks for the ACT English Section!
