Prepping for the ACT
If you’re a sophomore or junior taking the March 2 ACT with Writing, see below for subject specific test-taking strategies from The Princeton Review you can use over the next few weeks to prepare. Committing to just 15 minutes a day of test prep can make a BIG difference!
ACT Overview
Chart courtesy of https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/how-long-is-the-act
English Section: Know what ACT grammar rules to expect – you don’t have to memorize every convention, but these are the most common topics you’ll see: subject-verb agreement; pronoun agreement; adjectives and adverbs; comparisons and superlatives; punctuation; and conjunctions.
Math Section: Tackle word problems in pieces – read the entire problem, look for clues on how to solve, and break down the problem into manageable parts.
Reading Section: Read the questions first – first step in doing well on this section is to read actively. By reading the questions associated with the passage first, you’ll be intentional in using your time to look for important details within the reading.
Science Section: Understand ACT Science passage types – questions in this section are presented in 3 different formats: charts and graphs; experiments; and opposing viewpoints. Most of the questions can be answered from the information presented in the passages or figures, but be prepared for 3-4 questions that require outside knowledge
Writing Section: Don’t just start writing! The ACT booklet actually provides space for you to write out your planning and brainstorming; this is their way of emphasizing how crucial this step of the writing process is to constructing a well-written essay. Read the prompt carefully and take time to consider all the perspectives provided. **Reminder: The Writing section is a required component of the March 2 ACT scheduled at Cannon.
Scores from March ACT will be mailed to the student’s address 3-8 weeks after test day. Once you receive scores, you can use ACT’s Interactive Student Report to learn more about your individual subject scores, college and career planning, and retesting.
Click HERE for additional free ACT Test Prep materials.