Flickr user jrsquee
Despite preparing extensively, most students overlook some simple concepts that harm their final ACT score. The fault may not necessarily lie in not knowing the subject matter or being smart enough to perform. The main reason is that ACT requires a lot of quick thinking, picking up on clues. Using certain tricks to get the result quicker. These 5 ACT test taking tips will minimize potential mistakes and help you get the high score you deserve.
Read Carefully
In the English section, make sure that you read the passages clearly looking for sentence errors. Try to read it as you would speak it, and listen carefully to yourself as you “read aloud”. This is the best way to catch those errors that you may miss while reading as they will ‘sound’ wrong.
Passage errors mostly fall under these few categories:
- Pronoun errors
- Errors in the sentence structure
- Incorrect relationship between the verb and the subject
- Usage of unnecessary words/ wrong idioms
Remember, There Is Only One Right Answer To Any Math Problem
While solving math problems, most students waste a lot of time second-guessing their answers even though they are fairly sure that it’s the right one. Remember that there is only one right answer, once you’ve got it, don’t waste precious time checking every other option.
Practice Speed Reading
Time is a precious commodity on the ACT. This might seem like a difficult proposition, but getting to a decent level at speed reading doesn’t really take too much effort if you follow certain techniques, and it is an extremely useful skill to have.
At first, just skim through the passage, looking at the overall structure and getting the general idea of the passage without focusing on the confusing terminology. Next, take a look at the actual question being asked and/ or the options provided.
Chances are you will be able to answer most of the questions without having to go back to the entire passage, and can just zero in on the specific section that holds the answer. If not, you can then read the entire passage in detail again, which will be much easier now that you’ve gotten the gist of it.
Devote Time For Planning Your Essay
It is essential to have at least a general idea of how the essay is going to shape up. A well-structured essay is one that presents all of the points clearly and concisely. Aim for four to five paragraphs with an introduction, supporting paragraphs and a conclusion. Always remember that it is the overall impression that matters in an essay. Even f you put in strong points and don’t have a proper structure, you are likely to end up losing points.
Pay Attention To Diagrams
In the science section, students are often given diagrams along with the question to better understand what is being asked. A lot of times, these diagrams can help you eliminate improbable options and you can end up getting an answer without spending too much time on it. Try to get the hang of this while answering your practice tests.
Use College Raptor to discover personalized college matches, cost estimates, acceptance odds, and potential financial aid for schools around the US—for FREE!
