A Google search reveals a variety of ACT prep strategies, each one offering the solution on how to study for the ACT. But, with so many options, how are you supposed to know which one will help you in the best way possible?
Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.
Below, you’ll find our step-by-step study guide for ACT prep. And best of all, it is already proven to get students the best score possible.
Table Of ContentsDuring the past couple of years, schools have shifted their testing policies. Although many universities decided to make the ACT and SATs optional, rather than mandatory, selective programs are returning to test-required. For one, you could earn scholarships. The National Merit Scholarship Program and other local or state programs and organizations do consider exam scores. Your scores could also give you an edge over someone else in gaining acceptance to an exceptionally competitive school such as an Ivy League. Second, some schools still require the ACT and SAT. Even if your dream school doesn’t require the exams, you might change your mind about where to apply and still need the exam scores. If you wait too long to take the exams, you may not get the chance to take them or improve your scores if they are not what you want them to be.
You know what score you need to apply to your dream school. Achievable is the only ACT prep course that uses memory science-enhanced practice to ensure you reach your goal.
Well, simply put, it depends, but probably yes. You and your goals determine which test you need to take. All schools accept both tests and generally have no preference for either one. You can even take the test more than once to achieve your best score, or even a superscore.
Focusing on both the ACT and SAT exams could divide your attention.
This could lead to lower scores on each test, and unnecessary stress of preparing for two long, and mentally challenging exams. So, choosing which test best fits your goals can raise your score on one test rather than dividing prep time, attention, and results.
In addition, neither test is objectively any easier than the other.
Both are curved against the rest of the population, and then it depends on your preference. One test might fit your strengths and knowledge better than the other.
In deciding which test to take, it all comes down to numbers and the skills you have.
The SAT is more heavily weighted toward math than the ACT. Meanwhile, the ACT is more heavily weighted toward text-heavy passages in both the Reading and the Science sections.
The SAT also gives you five more minutes and has 61 fewer questions to answer.
It is absolutely possible to raise your ACT score on your own, but there are possibly more efficient ways.
Using professional assistance is one, especially when you’ve reached a plateau, or are having trouble managing your study time. Of course, tutoring is one of the fastest options to increase your score, but there are tons of other ways to go about it as well.
ACT prep books and study guides can help immensely, particularly if you can’t afford tutoring or don’t have time to go to another class.
The truth is, there is no universally right way to study for the ACT.
There are several options you can use, such as:
The option you should choose ultimately depends on your resources and what you need.
However, it does take a lot of discipline. You need to stick to a schedule and analyze your weaknesses to continue to improve.
It isn’t enough to put in study time, you also have to make the best use of that time by understanding what you might be doing wrong if you are missing questions.
If you are doing well with the content, but you are having difficulty finishing on time, you may need to work on time management. You could even work on test-taking strategies, like looking for the best answer in multiple-choice options or reading the passages effectively.
Remember, effective self-study for the ACT requires you to be extremely disciplined, organized, and motivated.
Remember, a “good” ACT score is relative. However, to determine the score that you could earn, the ACT is scored by grading each of the four sections on a scale of 1-36.
Your raw score is the number of questions you answered correctly in a given section. The raw scores will be converted into scaled scores between 1-36, and then the four numbers will be averaged into one score.
To get the best possible ACT score, you need a good game plan.
First, you don’t want to over-study. You do need to give your brain a break occasionally, so balance is key here.
This will help keep your motivation high.
First, you’ll want to take a diagnostic test. This will help you learn where you are and determine your baseline score (and to see how much or how long it might take to improve).
Be sure to take the test in conditions as close to the actual conditions on test day to mimic how you would actually do on the exam day, such as at 8:00 am in a library, all in one sitting with appropriate breaks.
This will help motivate you as you study and determine how to study for the exam.
Once you determine your target score, you should look up the percentiles of ACT scores. Pay special attention to the 75 th percentile ACT scores of the schools you are applying to.
Having a score equal to or higher than the 75 th percentile of others applying to the same schools will give you a good chance of being accepted into your choice of colleges. Placing within the 25 th to 75 th percentile is a must for including your score in any application.
After you determine your target score and know exactly what you need to get into your choice colleges, you need to know how long you’ll need to prep for the ACT.
There’s no perfect amount of hours to study in order to earn a higher score improvement – it differs for each person, and the plateau you’ve reached.
differs for each person, and the plateau you’ve reached.
However, it usually takes about 10-20 hours of study for increasing your first points. For earning 9 or more points, you may find that you’ll need to put in at least 150 or more hours. Consistency is what counts!
Having a set schedule and knowing the number of days/ weeks/ months you have to improve will help you make significant progress as you study.
Also, feeding your brain information at the same time every day helps establish familiarity with the material and the expectation to learn.
As you are studying, don’t forget to give yourself breaks.
You don’t want to burn yourself out. Taking breaks allows your brain time to absorb and process the information it has learned. Also, studying a little every day yields better point gains sporadic studying, even if your studying is long than consistency is key
Using an ACT study guide will help give you an overview of the test and the different topics you will need to study. You won’t need to study all the subjects you learned in high school, so a study guide will tell you where to start studying.
We’ll share our favorite ACT study guides and materials below ↓
