Top 10 ACT English Strategies from Experts

The ACT English test is designed to be fast-paced to challenge students with a variety of topics such as grammar, punctuation, and writing strategy questions. For this reason, mastering this test requires both solid preparation and smart strategies, especially when all these topics are packed with 75 questions that you have to answer in 45 minutes. 

Here’s a walkthrough of some expert ACT tips to help you maximize your score. So by understanding the ACT English section, practicing effectively, and mastering the ACT English rules, you’ll be on your way to conquer the hardships of test day!

1. Know the Format of the ACT English Section

The step to take to succeed in the ACT English test is to understand its structure. Compared to the SAT, which presents the question at the end of the passage, the ACT, on the other hand, blends its questions throughout the test. So here’s what to expect when taking the ACT English test:

• How long is the ACT English section?: You’ll have 45 minutes to answer the ACT English section. 
• How many questions are in the ACT English section?: The ACT English section has 75 questions divided into 5 passages. 
• How is the ACT English section scored?: Questions in the ACT are scored like the other ACT questions, so it is scored from 1 to 36. 
• What topics does the ACT English test focus on?: The topic contains topics such as Conventions of Standard English, Production of Writing, and Knowledge of Language. 

So, by knowing the content and the pacing of the ACT English test, you’ll avoid wasting your time on unnecessary topics or getting caught off guard by the format. 

2. ACT English Question Types Break Down

When answering the ACT English section, expect to see these three main areas to be the focus: 

a) Production of Writing

This category contains questions that test your ability to make passages clearer, more concise, and better organized. So, in this category, you’ll improve sentence structure, maintain a consistent tone, and adjust word choices for clarity. 

b) Knowledge of Language

For this category, you will be dealing with grammar, syntax, and word choice questions. So, this category will assess your knowledge of fixing subject and verb agreement issues to recognize idiomatic expressions, requiring you to have a strong grasp of ACT English rules. 

c) Conventions of Standard English

This is the grammar-heavy portion. So expect topics that include punctuation, sentence fragments, and commonly tested grammar rules like apostrophes and commas. 

Once you familiarize yourself with these categories, you’ll start to notice these patterns in the types of questions you’re asked—and that make it easier for you to prepare for them 

3. Familiarize Yourself with ACT Grammar Rules

Grammar is a big deal in the ACT English section. But the good news is that the same rules show up over and over again. So here are the topics that you should know: 

• Subject-verb agreement: Keep in mind that it is important to make sure that the subject and verb matches in number (singular vs. plural)
• Punctuation: Expect to see and deal with commas, apostrophes, and semicolons since they tend to show up all the time. 
• Parallel structure: Remember that lists or comparisons need to have the same format. For example, “She enjoys running, swimming, and biking,” not  “running, to swim and bikes.”  
• Modifiers: Another thing to remember is to keep descriptive phrases next to the words they describe. 

For a successful ACT English score, master these rules, and you’ll be ready to conquer a huge part of the test with confidence. 

4. Read for Context

For this ACT section of the English test, you don’t have to memorize every detail of the passages. But it is important to understand the big picture. 

For example, some questions may ask about the passage’s tone or what’s the best way to organize the given information. So, to answer correctly, you’ll need to make sense of the author’s main idea and purpose. Skim the passage, keep the big picture in mind, and reread specific sentences as needed to answer the questions. 

5. Keep it Short and Sweet

One of the most common mistakes that students make in this section is that they often choose answers that are too wordy. Keep in mind that the ACT loves concise, straightforward writing. For example:  

• Original: “Due to the fact that he was tired, he decided to rest.”
• Better: “Because he was tired, he decided to rest.” 

When you’re in doubt about your answer, choose the answer that’s clear and that gets to the point. 

6. Don’t Overthink “No Change”

Many students feel suspicious every time they encounter the “No change” answer choice, but believe it or not, it's more often than you think. So, if the sentence already follows the rules and fits the passage, don’t be afraid to stick with it.   

Pro Tip: Reread the sentence as written before making a decision. If it sounds natural and fits the context, “No change” might be your best bet.

7. Use the Process of Elimination

Whether it's the SAT or the ACT, sometimes the best way to find the right answer is to rule out the wrong ones. So to apply this, look for answers with: 

• Obvious grammar errors.
• Unnecessary repetition or wordiness.
• Choices that don't fit the tone of the passage.

By eliminating the obviously wrong options, you’ll be able to narrow things down and boost your chances of picking the right one. 

8. Target the Easy Questions First 

Not all questions are written equal. Some may take just a split second to answer, while others may take more time than expected. So, to save time and avoid unnecessary stress, deal with the easier questions first. 

For most students, grammar questions like punctuation and subject-verb agreement are easier and quicker to answer compared to writing strategy questions. So once you’ve built some momentum, go back to the tougher ones. 

9.  Double-check Your Answers in Context 

Keep in mind that when picking an answer, always plug it back into the sentence or passage to make sure that you chose the one that works. Here are some things to ask yourself before choosing an answer: 

• Does the sentence sound natural?
• Does it match the tone of the rest of the passage?  
• Does it follow the grammar rules?

But remember, sometimes answers can look right, but that doesn’t always mean it's right, so always look at the bigger picture and always double-check!

10. Keep Practicing!

By practicing more often, the more you’ll get comfortable with the test. So to do this, take a full-length ACT English practice test to work on your pacing and to identify your weak areas. Doing this also helps you get more used to the types of questions you’ll see in the test. So here’s what to focus on during practice:

• Timing: Practice until you can get through 75 questions in 45 minutes. 
• Accuracy: Take note of the common grammar traps. 
• Patterns: Identify the question types that are giving you the most trouble. 

By taking note of these tips, you’ll be more familiar with the test, and once you’re familiar with the test, you become less anxious in dealing with it, making it less intimidating come test day. 

Final thoughts

The ACT English section may seem tricky, but with the right preparation tips and consistent practice, you can definitely master it. But always keep in mind that success comes from a mix of preparation and strategy. So keep working on your grammar skills, continue to practice regularly, and stay calm on test day. 

Another thing to remember is that it is ok to ask for help; you can check out Park Tutoring’s ACT prep classes; our expert tutors will provide you with a personalized plan to help you reach your target score. So, with all that good luck—you’ve got this!