The ACT is a daunting test and the outcome has serious consequences for
every student. While there is no substitute for working hard, you can
optimize your chances of succeeding in the ACT test by learning strategies
for answering questions effectively. Learning to navigate the landscape
of an ACT will ensure that you get the best possible results.
Practice makes perfect
Practice tests are available online for you to try. Practice subject tests
prior to writing your ACT test in order to familiarize yourself with the
way questions are asked. You should also study the instructions for each
subject test prior to writing. Since time is such an important factor
in your ACT test, knowing the instructions beforehand means you won’t
waste time reading them more than once during the exam.
Prioritize your questions
Read through the questions before you start writing. Order them from easiest
to hardest and start with the easy ones. Getting the easy points done
is a great way to ensure the best score. Doing the easy questions first
will also help to build your confidence and get you in the right headspace
to take on the more difficult questions.
Shake it off and move on
If you get to a question you just can’t find an answer to, move on.
Don’t waste any time getting bogged down on difficult questions.
You can come back to it if you need to at a later stage. As you are working
through questions, make notes in the margins. You don’t need to
hand in a pristine paper, use every inch of paper to make notes and jot
down thoughts. That way, when you come back to the difficult questions,
you can see what you were working on before.
Don’t know the answer? Guess!
Never leave an answer blank. The ACT test doesn’t penalize you for
incorrect answers, so taking a guess may just render the right answer.
Bubbling with care
Take great care when bubbling. It’s easy to accidentally colour in
the wrong bubble even when you have the right answer. While you may be
working through the answer quickly, double check that you have filled
in the right bubble. It’s best to get a couple of answers ready
and then fill the bubbles in at the same time to make it faster. Ensure
absolute accuracy by saying the question number and the answer in your
head as you fill out the bubble grid: “24, F and 25, C.”
Take it easy
This may sound like the worst idea ever when time is such a crucial factor
in a successful ACT test, but taking the time to read questions carefully
will prevent misinterpretation. Some answers will try to trick you and
if you rush through, you will fall victim to these partially right answers.
Adopting a defeatist attitude will result in a poor test score. Tell yourself
you can do it, take a deep breath and start with the easy questions so
that you can build on your confidence before tackling the more difficult ones.