The time of standardized tests and college admissions is fast approaching, and students need to be prepared. The ACT is an assessment that is the ticket to most colleges and universities. It is purposely designed to be the most difficult test that challenges students’ minds. It is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test taken in timed segments. The purpose of the ACT is to measure a high school student’s readiness for college, and it helps to provide colleges with one common data point that can be used on all applicants. With the intense pressure to do well and get a good score, students often ask themselves: how can I be most prepared?
One vital way to prepare for this test is to understand the testing format. The ACT is divided into four different sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Becoming familiar with the structure of the test beforehand helps better equip the student for the real deal. Each of the sections are very specific and have strict time limitations. Breaking everything down and understanding it helps the mind become more familiar with the material before the actual testing day. Also, knowing the time limits helps students find their pace while answering the questions.
For the English portion of the test, a student has forty five minutes to complete seventy five questions. During the math portion, there are sixty questions to complete in one hour. That is one minute per question. For both reading and science, there are thirty five minutes to finish forty questions. That means they have less than a minute on some of the questions. Take time to think each answer through, but not so much time that you run out.
Another way to help prepare is by taking practice tests. This puts one’s mind and body into testing mode while not actually having an influential outcome. Students can take their time on the questions and slowly pace themselves closer to the time limitations. They can also target their weaker areas so that when the time comes, they will be more prepared. It is also a good gauge on how much more a student should study for the test.
Overall, there are a few major steps that students can take to ready themselves for the ACT. Preparing themselves throughout the early years of high school helps set students up for their later years of being an upperclassman. Getting a full night’s sleep prior to the standardized test will improve one’s brain function. Eating real food to fuel one’s brain instead of coffee and energy drinks is beneficial as well. These steps are crucial to helping students feel ready to take these select assessments that play a large role in their futures.
