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This is an overview of ACT Preparation in 2023 What you should know about ACT Preparation

ACT Preparation: What You Need to Know for Test Success

It is estimated that millions of students take the ACT each year in the hopes of securing a ticket to their favorite universities in the US and a few other countries around the world. Therefore, in order to achieve good scores on the ACT, it is important to have a detailed methodical study plan, an understanding of the preparation materials, and section-by-section tips on how to prepare for the ACT. 

Your ACT results are based on how well you prepare for the exam, and better preparation translates into better success. It is extremely important to get a high score on the ACT as the better your score is, the better your chances of getting into an elite university of your choice. It is of the utmost importance therefore, that you take into account all factors and make the maximum effort in order to prepare for the ACT exam in a planned and organized manner in order to successfully obtain a high score. As we walk you through the steps on how to better prepare for the ACT, we will give you some helpful tips for ACT preparation so it is important that you stay with us till the very end to get the full value out of our ACT guide. 

The 8 Key Steps to An Effective ACT Test Preparation Plan:

It is very important to plan your study accordingly in order to answer the question on how to prepare for the ACT exam. We will introduce you to 8 key steps for preparing for the ACT:

Make sure you start preparing well in advance

Take the exam at your own pace. Don't book your ACT test date based on other people's experiences. You may resort to cramming if you rush into the test and try to rapidly study all sections in a short period of time. Instead, try and make sure that you have enough time to fully master the material and prepare for the exam.

Ensure you have adequate time to study and revise by choosing a date at least three months in advance. Once you figure out when you want to take the exam, make sure you continue preparing using our free act study guide.

Understanding the ACT Exam Pattern & Syllabus is the first step

You should familiarize yourself with the complete syllabus before starting your preparation for the ACT exam. The ACT is composed of four different multiple choice sections – English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science, which are 45, 60, 35, and 35 minutes respectively. The ACT test length can be daunting, and students who are not used to taking long exams should prepare accordingly. The ACT is 2 hours and 55 minutes long, so make sure you are ready to try your hardest and pace yourself. Each section has different ACT tricks and tips you can use to get a higher score.

Before taking the final exam, students should thoroughly understand the topics covered under each of the subjects.  Students may take the Writing Exam as an optional exam to test their writing skills.

Learn how to take ACT practice tests

As soon as you have familiarized yourself with the format of the ACT Exam, the next step you need to take is to practice with ACT Practice Tests. 

The practice exam will also give you a preview of what kind of questions will be asked in each section of the exam. As a result, you will be able to adjust your preparation accordingly. You should be doing ACT math practice, ACT reading practice, ACT English practice, and ACT science practice on a consistent basis in order for you to start improving your results. The more practice you do, the more familiar you will be with concepts and the question types that show up on the ACT and will be fully prepared to answer. 

Your ACT target score should be based on a realistic range

By setting a target score for the ACT, you can remain focused and develop a study plan that will help you succeed.

It is also a good idea to take into account the average cut-off scores of your favorite schools and colleges/universities when choosing a target score for your ACT. If reasonable, try and aim for a score that is within the acceptable range of your target university in order to motivate you to get that score.

Setting attainable goals makes preparing much smoother. You can figure out what you need to work on and what you are already good at through ACT practice exams and our ACT study guide 2023 will help you improve your score for upcoming exams.

An in-depth study plan for the ACT should be prepared

Having identified your strong and weak areas, the next step is to create a study plan that is consistent with your strengths and weaknesses.  You should spend a consistent amount of time every week preparing for the test, so that you are able to avoid cramming close to the test date if you want to avoid needing to do so.

It is important that you have a study plan in order to keep you on track and to help you achieve your study goals at a faster rate. The following details should be included in your study plan:

  1. Hours of study on a daily basis
  2. Taking prep classes with Park Tutoring
  3. Determining which subjects to study first
  4. Dates and intervals for taking practice tests
  5. Preparing for the ACT with the best preparation material

Don't forget to refer to your school notes for basic information that you need to know

The ACT exam is based on the knowledge you have acquired over the course of your high school years that you have applied to your ACT test. For this reason, it is important to refer to your old notes from school when preparing for the ACT and other standardized examinations. By reviewing your old school notes you'll be able to revise the concepts quickly and speed up your preparation for the ACT.  So, instead of relearning what you learned from other sources, you should go back to your notes and refer to them instead. 

Put yourself under test conditions and time yourself

In addition, we also recommend that you take an ACT sample paper under exam conditions once you are confident enough of your preparation. Before the day of the test, you should try to complete at least two full ACT Sample papers. When you approach the exam in such a way, you will not only be testing your knowledge, but you will also be preparing your mind for the exam. It is better to  take the full length exam rather than just taking individual sections because on the day of the exam, you will have to take the entire assessment in one sitting.

Can you tell me how long it takes to prepare for the ACT?

It is common for students who are interested in studying in the United States to start preparing for the ACT before the end of their first year. According to experts, 3 months is more than enough time to prepare for the ACT test. 

It is important to note that everyone has different speeds and ways in which they learn effectively. You should not base your ACT studying simply on the basis of other students, but instead, try and assess what you personally need in order to succeed on the ACT. 

What is the best way to prepare for the ACT Exam section by section?

Following the step-by-step preparation plan for ACT, we will discuss the subject-by-subject preparation strategy. Under the ACT exam, each section targets a set of subject-specific skills, so each subject requires its own strategy.

The English section of the ACT

There are 75 multiple choice questions on the English section of the ACT. A candidate must complete these questions in under 45 minutes based on passages. 

ACT English Section Preparation: 6 Potent Tips

Here are 6 tips that will help you prepare effectively for this section:

  1. Become familiar with all the basic grammar rules: Understand all the basic grammar rules for high school, including sentence structure, punctuation, and usage. When attempting a question under the section, always follow the rules and not what you think “sounds right.”
  2. Read 'Thoroughly': Take the time to read the passages and sentences completely. Since the questions in this section are based on the passages, it is important that you read them carefully.
  3. Test Your Knowledge With Official ACT Tests: Taking an ACT practice test will familiarize you with the type of questions that you will encounter. As a result, you will be prepared for any surprises on test day by understanding the style of the questions.
  4. Review and Analyze Your Answers: Make sure you practice questions regularly and analyze your answers carefully. In most sample papers, there will be an answer key included with the questions. Analyze every incorrect answer to determine where your weaknesses lie.
  5. Calculate Your Time Before the Exam: It takes approximately 30 seconds for you to answer each question when you attempt 75 questions under 45 minutes. Always have a stopwatch nearby when you practice.
  6. Take This Section Seriously: One of the highest scoring sections for students is the English section. Don't rush through its preparation, therefore. Practice and review important concepts. It is important to remember that high scores in this section can affect your overall average.

These tips for English section of ACT will help you improve your understanding of the questions that will appear on the actual exam, and you should start practicing with them as soon as possible.

ACT Math Section

In the ACT Math Section, 60 questions must be answered within 60 minutes. Each question has five options and is presented as a multiple-choice question.

Preparing for the ACT Math Section: 6 Potent Tips

You can improve your performance by following these ACT Math preparation tips:

  1. Understand the Basic Mathematical Formulas: It is impossible to attempt the Math section without memorizing the important formulas. Keep revising the formulas and memorize them by heart.
  2. Get Familiarized With ACT Math Tests: Taking the official ACT Math test can help you become familiar with the style of questions under this section. By knowing the format of these questions, you can prepare accordingly. A good way to do this is through solving lots of ACT math practice questions in order to familiarize yourself with the type of question and concepts that will appear on the exam. Last minute ACT math tips can definitely offset a lack of preparation, but it's better to make sure you have adequate time to fully learn the material and concepts. 
  3. Put extra emphasis on your weaker areas: You can improve your weaker areas by practicing questions. You should practice solving problems as much as possible.
  4. Be efficient with your time: Each question will take under one minute to answer, so time yourself and work on your speed.
  5. Learn Tricks and Shortcuts for Calculations: Using tricks and formulas to solve certain problems can speed up your problem-solving process. As a result, more complex questions will be able to be answered.
  6. Make sure you focus on solving the problem:It's best not to work backwards, i.e. to check the answers before attempting to solve the problem. You may waste a lot of time on this.

Reading section of the ACT

There are 40 questions in this section, and applicants must answer them within 35 minutes. Most of the questions are based on the passages given.

Preparing for the ACT Reading Section: 6 Potent Tips

The following tips will help you prepare for this section more efficiently:

  1. You can practice with official ACT tests: Learn how to read for the ACT by taking a practice test. Getting familiar with the question style will help you prepare.

  2. Ensure You Analyze Your Answers: Make sure you analyze your answer carefully