Top 5 ACT Tips and Tricks to Achieve Your Target Score

How does one start studying for the ACT? You might think that the best way to do it is by just grabbing the best ACT prep guide book out there and start studying. This method is not inherently wrong, but there are other effective, smarter, and less stressful ways to do it. So here are five tips to take your ACT study sessions to the next level that can help you manage your time, and focus better, and boost your confidence even further on test day.

1. Create a Distraction-Free Study Environment

Simply reading what you need to study is not enough; it is also important to take note of the environment in which you are going to study. This is because your environment can greatly affect the way you retain information. So, if your surroundings are cluttered and noisy, your focus will tend to wander. So when choosing a place to spend time studying, consider going to a library, a quiet cage, or your room (with the door closed) are great options.

Key Tip: To maximize your concentration, you can turn your phone off or put it in "Do Not Disturb" mode. Notifications can interrupt your focus and can lead you to study longer than you should. But if you're finding it hard to stay off your phone, you can try using the Pomodoro Technique. So here's how you do it:

You can study for 25 minutes straight, then take a 5-minute break.
Once you've completed four "Pomodoros," you can take longer breaks that range from 15 to 25 minutes.

The Pomodoro method encourages you to stay focused for a certain amount of time. It gives you time to recharge, which makes your study sessions more productive.

If total silence makes you feel suffocated, you can study in places with light background noise, like coffee shops. You can also try investing in noise-canceling headphones to block out distractions when the desired peace and quiet becomes hard to come by.

2. Start Your Study Sessions Stress-Free

Do you already feel stressed with the idea of just opening your ACT prep book? You're not alone, but this stress can make it harder to focus and absorb information. So, before starting your study session, take a few moments to clear your mind. So here are some stress-reliever techniques:

Use breathing techniques to calm your nerves
Clear your head by doing short walks
Try journaling by writing down distracting thoughts or worries to get them out of your mind.

Once you feel settled down and ready to focus, start studying with a fresh mindset. Keep in mind that this is about learning and improving—and it's not about being perfect.

3. Balance Your Strengths and Weakness

When studying, students tend to focus on the sections where they are struggling, but that doesn't mean that you should neglect the areas you excel in. Remember, to ensure ACT success, you should consistently review all subjects.

For example, if you an example if your strong subject is English but you find math challenging:

Spend extra time practicing math problems, especially the concepts you find tricky.
Review English rules and take practice quizzes to ensure your skills stay sharp.

Keep in mind that balanced study sessions will help you feel confident in every section of the ACT and ensure there are no surprises on test day.

4. Follow a Structured Study Plan

One of the best things that you can do for the ACT is to approach it with a structured plan in mind. Having a structured approach for the ACT not only helps with staying organized but also helps you prioritize your time, and doing so can help you from being overwhelmed. So here are some steps to create effective study plans:

Steps to Create an Effective Study Plan:

Start Early: Starting your ACT Prep study sessions 3 to 6 months ahead of time before test day gives you ample time to prepare to improve, review, and practice.
Set a Schedule: Don't overwhelm yourself with long hours of studying, so break your study sessions into manageable chunks. Setting a schedule of 2 to 3 hours of studying a few times a week is so much better than cramming everything into one day.
Target Weak Areas: Devote some extra time to questions or subjects that you find the most challenging.
Practice Under Timed Conditions: Take multiple times practices to get used to the ACT test format and its pacing.

Pro Tip: If you're prone to getting test anxiety, starting your ACT prep study sessions early can help. This is because the more familiar you are with the test, the more relaxed and confident you can become on test day.

5. Avoid Overloading Yourself

Feeling overwhelmed, especially when test day is approaching, is normal. But studying more by cramming isn't the answer. Trying to do more in a short amount of time can leave you feeling burnout and frustrated.

So, instead, what you can do is set realistic goals and set up a balanced study routine. And if you're juggling other responsibilities like a part-time job, school, or sports, adjust your study schedule accordingly. Here's how to start balancing your responsibilities accordingly:

Break your study into smaller but focused chunks with regular breaks.
Set achievable goals for each session; this can be mastering a specific topic or completing a set of practice questions.
Allow yourself time to relax and recharge—rest is just as important as working hard.

Take Note: Quality over quantity. Doing fewer but well-planned study sessions is better for your score compared to doing long hours of distracted study.

Bonus tips:

Here are other ACT study tips that can help you stay on track

1. Don't forget to take care of yourself:

Sleep well. Being well-rested helps you retain information better.
Eating healthy combined with staying hydrated can keep your energy levels up
Exercising regularly is a good stress reliever and can help you with your focus

2. Leverage Resources:

Maximize the use of ACT Prep books, flashcards, and online resources
Join study group sessions or consider working with a tutoring service like Park Tutoring that offers personalized support

3. Practice, Practice, Practice!

Studying regularly, even for shorter periods, will always be more productive and effective than cramming.

Final Thoughts:

Prepping for your ACT doesn't have to feel like a stressful weight on your shoulders. So with these five tips to upgrade ACT study sessions, you can create an effective routine that works for you and build your confidence to feel prepared for test day.

The ACT is just one of the many steps on your academic journey to success, and with the right strategies and mindset, you'll be ready to conquer it. So stay focused, trust what you learned, and don't forget to take care of yourself. You've got this.