The 5 Best Ways to Ace the ACT (and Many Other College Entrance Exams)
By Shreya Rohatgi
Wherever secondary education may lead you, college is usually the most common route post graduation. Tests like the ACT or SAT can completely change your future, serving as the deciding factor for the admissions process. The pressure from these exams often increase student’s anxiety and cause them to perform worse on the test. Thankfully, there are many strategies and quick tips to improve your score, calm nerves, and become a better test taker overall!
Tip #1: Always read the questions first. Don’t waste time reading the entire essay if the question is only asking for a specific part.
Tip #2: Be efficient! Answer the questions you know and skip the ones you don’t. Still, make sure to come back to them later! If you can’t figure out the answer in about 30 seconds, move on to the next one. Here’s a breakdown for the different sections.
English
45 min & 75 questions
Roughly 30 sec per question
Reading
35 min & 40 questions
Roughly 30 sec per question
(If you spend 5 min reading each passage)
Math
60 min & 60 questions
1 min per question
Science
35 min & 40 questions
45 sec per question
Tip #3: Take multiple practice tests! The only way to improve is to constantly work at getting better. Try taking a complete test (yes, every single section) to build up your stamina towards the latter half of the session. Remember, the ACT is a skill based test! If you are stuck on a question, try to figure out what it skill it is asking and work from there.
Tip #4: Attend workshops to increase your knowledge about the most current tests. There will be an ACT workshop offered at the high school on October 29th. Click the link below for more information!
https://ohs.owassops.org/apps/pages/college_test_prep
Tip #5: Get full night’s sleep and eat a hearty breakfast before the test. Don’t try to cram the night before.
