How to Use a Practice ACT Test

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Wondering how to use a practice ACT test to raise your score?

Well, maybe you aren’t. You might think it’d be stupid to ask how to use a practice ACT test.

Just remember, there are no stupid questions.

Well, actually, there are. I just won’t make fun of you for them.

Using ACT practice tests to raise your score can be elusive if you don’t do it correctly, though. This article just might be what you need to get to your target score.

Yep. This article might be life-changing.

Choose Your ACT Practice Test Wisely

You have an ACT practice test.

I have a table in a cafe full of drunks slowly sobering as they laugh raucously and eat chicken tenders.

You might have no advantage over me when it comes to test prep.

You see, not all practice tests are created equal.

If yours isn’t a realistic simulation of an actual ACT test, it may only be as useful to you as a cafe full of drunks.

See how it connects?!!

We have lots of practice tests, because lots of people like to write practice tests. Only some of them will be useful for understanding what your ACT will be like, though. Make sure the practice tests you use contain questions of the same caliber as those on the ACT.

If you’re not sure, I’ve got a list of recommended Practice ACT tests here.

…

Seriously, St. Patrick’s Day must’ve been incredible for these people.

I don’t envy the hangover they’ll have in the morning.

Simulate Test Day

While you want to practice whenever and however you can, at least a few times, you need to block out three hours and completely recreate an ACT test day.

Don’t lay in the floor and work the problems; sit at your desk/table and act like you’re in that classroom on Saturday morning.

Set time alarms for each section.

Take a 15 minute break between math and reading.

Practice ignoring your surroundings (like a cafe full of people slurring words and playing “Would you rather…?”) and focusing on answering the questions.

Review Your Test Scores

If you’re looking to make progress, you need to review your test scores. As you try different strategies for the ACT, it’s important you keep track of what works and what doesn’t.

This is also analogous in life, as my fellow cafe-goers would probably be less drunk had they ever kept a list of the pros and cons of being as inebriated as they currently are.

Definitely watch to see whether your score is climbing or hitting a plateau, though.

You’ll refine your techniques as you see what’s improving your performance and also what’s slowing you down.

Final Words

Crushing the ACT is about being prepared, and the best test prep is experience.

Practice ACT tests are a way to get that experience without having to even leave your house.

Stay sober, my friends.

Saying mazel tov seems like an oxymoron after that last caution, but…

Mazel tov anyway,

David

Filed Under: ACT Practice Test, ACT Strategies

Review of Dave Ramsey’s Custom College Guide for Faithful Provisions

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Dave Ramsey's Custom College GuideHey Everybody,

I recently reviewed Dave Ramsey’s new Custom College Guide for my friends over at Faithful Provisions. Take a look at the review and enter the giveaway. This is a resource that will really help you out as you choose your college and try to figure out the best way to pay for it, without going into debt. Debt is dumb.

Mazel tov,
David

Filed Under: Blog

Will A School Contact Me After My ACT Test?

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Will A School Contact Me After My ACT Test?People across the internet are asking, “Will a school contact me after my ACT test?”

And you have to give the people what they want.

The answer is yes.

If you do reasonably well on the test, the answer is YES.

All day.

Every day.

Your inbox will be nothing but advertisements from different schools. For example, with a 32, I was getting emails–I kid you not–every half hour of every day.

There are so many more colleges than I realized.

Here’s how this happens and what can you expect.

Pick Colleges Where You Want To Send Your Scores

When you sign up for the ACT online, you have the option to pick colleges where you want to send your scores.

The ACT student site actually allows you to choose four colleges to which you can send your score for free. For a small fee, you can send the scores to other universities as well.

The schools to which you send your scores will usually contact you soon after your ACT test.

How Colleges Find You

Colleges will find you through your ACT score without you sending your scores to them, though.

I cannot tell you how many college admissions email newsletters I’ve received that have fine print saying, “You were selected as a good fit for Whatever University by the ACT.”

Like I said, if you do well on the ACT, which I fully expect, you’ll get tons of these emails.

And you’ll feel super popular.

And then you’ll want to turn off email notifications on your phone.

After Your ACT Test, You have Options

You’ll be surprised at how many options you have after you take the ACT test. Look at all your emails and info packets and figure out which colleges you’re interested in. You’ll see pictures and learn about programs and student life.

Also, these newsletters give you the chance to take action and learn more about the school Many times, within the email, you can opt in to receive more detailed information on the school. You’ll also learn about preview days/campus tours.

If you have more questions, check out the ACT FAQ page.

May your inbox be ever full.

Mazel tov,

David

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ACT Test Prep Tips: 2 Passes

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ACT Test Prep TipsThis is one of the absolute best ACT test prep tips: take 2 passes through the test.

It’s unreal how helpful it is.

Here’s why.

It All Counts the Same

All the ACT test questions count the same.

It’s like 3-pointers in basketball.

If you hit the 3-pointer right next to the arc, it counts for three points (and that feels stupid to say because the name is self-explanatory). It’s not an overly impressive shot.

If you hit a shot from half-court, though, it’s way more impressive and takes a higher degree of skill and luck.

It’s still only worth 3 points, though.

That’s the ACT for you. All the questions yield the same number of points. Taking two passes through the test will get you more of those points more easily.

Here’s how.

Classify Questions: Easy Enough, Flabbergasting, or Maybe Later

The first time around, you want to decide whether or not the answer to a problem is easy enough to solve quickly, whether you should just go ahead and guess, or whether you should come back to the question later.

Some ACT study guides call this “question triage.”

That’s technical jargon and probably copyrighted somehow, though, so we won’t call it that.

You want to classify questions into three groups, which I’ve given unique names for no other reason than it’s just more fun:

  • Easy Enough: You know you can answer these questions without too much effort. This doesn’t mean you don’t have to think about the problem to get the answer. “Easy Enough” means that you can answer these questions without getting stuck and losing your pace.
  • Flabbergasting: You don’t have a prayer of solving these problems, and you know it. They are, simply, flabbergasting. An example of this would be trying to answer a trig question if you’ve never studied trig. You’re going to have to guess.
  • Maybe Later: You can solve these problems, but they’ll take you forever. You’ll get stuck on a problem that you might not even get right. This is a question you could solve, but shouldn’t waste time on early.

Now we can talk about how this applies to the two-pass method.

First Time Around: Easy Enough and Flabbergasting

While I sincerely hope you get your two passes, you might run out of time.

This means you should get as many points as you can the first time through, while the clock is still young.

The best way to do this is to get hit the easy enough and flabbergasting questions. You want a strong pace, and you want to answer as many questions as you can on your first pass.

The easy enough questions will keep your pace and grab you points.

The flabbergasting questions shouldn’t slow you down, either, because you might as well go ahead and guess when you’re flabbergasted. You’re not going to learn trig from your fellow test takers by osmosis.

Hit the problems that don’t give you too much trouble and guess on the ones that leave you clueless.

After this first pass, you shouldn’t have many problems left unanswered.

And, if you did it right, you should already have a substantial point base!

On the second pass, you should…

Second Time Around: Maybe Later

On the second pass, time is running out, and it’s time to get to those problems you’ve been putting off.

If it helps, you can hum “Live Like You Were Dying” to yourself and think of maybe later questions as your ACT bucket list.

You’re welcome.

The few questions you have left, you should be able to work through–even if it’s at a slower pace. Slowing down is not so damaging now, because you already have points from your first pass. Now you’re just seeing how much higher you can score.

If you start to run out of time on the problems left, you can just guess to make sure you don’t leave anything blank.

This method works.

You need to know a few more things about how to use it, though.

2-Pass Method: When And How To Use It

You might be thinking, “This sounds great for the math section, but isn’t it kind of convoluted for the other subject tests?”

I appreciate your use of the word “convoluted,” so I’ll tell you how to apply this to ALL the sections.

On the Math subject test, the method is pretty straightforward; you just make your passes through the whole test each time.

English, Reading, and Science are organized into passages, though. How do you go through the test twice without being confused by all those passages?

That’s also pretty straightforward.

Make your both of your passes through a section at a time. On a reading passage, for instance, answer the questions you know immediately or will never know, then go back and work on the harder questions. Do the same for each passage, but don’t take too long on any one passage.

That’s the method, guys. Hope it helps.

Find more ACT test prep here!

As always, let me know if you have questions or comments via the blog, social media, or email david@actcollegetest.org.

Mazel tov,

David

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Filed Under: ACT Strategies, Getting Started, Test Prep

What is the ACT Test?

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What is the ACT Test?What is the ACT test?

And is it significant that it spells “act”?

Well, I’ll answer that now. It’s not.

All first-timers have questions about ACT testing, though.

In fact, this test has become as legendary as it is necessary. For first time test-takers, the mystery and folklore surrounding the ACT test can be more intimidating than the actual test.

Maybe that’s you. You’ve been asking friends who took the test and weren’t prepared for it.

All of them say it’s ridiculously difficult and unfair.

I can’t say I’m surprised. I’ve started some of these rumors. Fear is what makes people come to sites like this… That’s a joke, but still.

Now, though, I’m here to put some of the myths to rest and give you a quick, solid understanding of what the ACT college test actually is, in all its ferocious glory.

College, ACT Testing, and You

I’ve titled this section “College, ACT Testing, and You,” and I think I should make a short instructional video about it, because the title is on point for that sort of thing.

Remember that for the future.

Anyway, the ACT is a college entrance exam. It’s an achievement test, and colleges use ACT testing to find out how well you’ve learned your high school courses and how prepared you are for college.

The test is divided into four subject tests: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The ACT also offers and optional Writing test.

Most colleges have a minimum ACT score for admission, and some majors (i.e. engineering and the math subtest) might have minimum subtest scores for admission into the department.

Past just getting you in, your ACT score can also qualify you for scholarships.

Wait, what?

Yes. I just said that. Your ACT score can get you free money!

It sounds crazy, but colleges are just waiting for gifted young students (like your gorgeous selves) to show up with great ACT scores. They then proceed to give them free Starbucks and offer them this free money.

You think I’m joking, but it’s happened to me.

Yes, my life is charmed.

Advantages of ACT Testing

What are the real advantages of ACT testing?

You can be a good student without a good ACT score, right? Why take the test?

True, if you don’t have a good ACT score, or even any ACT score, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad student.

I have plenty of brilliant friends who just don’t test well.

I have smart friends who haven’t taken the ACT.

Colleges do look at much more than your ACT score, including GPA, extracurricular activities, and community service.

You probably knew this, so you might be thinking, “Well, this handsome devil made me read all of this incredible post just to tell me the ACT isn’t a big deal. At least I had this time with him before his site becomes irrelevant to me.”

Hold it, kid.

ACT testing is a big deal. I made a whole site for it, didn’t I?

I don’t waste time like that.

Remember how colleges have a minimum ACT score requirement for admission?

Maybe you’ve got great grades and an awesome community service record.

Did you know that many scholarships have a minimum GPA and a minimum ACT score requirement?

They do. Yep. Been there. Seen it.

What if you don’t have the GPA, extracurricular activities, or community service you want, though?

The ACT might be a saving grace for you, then.

It’s one thing about your high school career that’s comparatively easy to change.

Here’s an example, based on a true story:

Say you have a dashing young man–we’ll call him Pavid–who wants to further his education at a university. The young man, while active in several activities during high school, was homeschooled. This means he didn’t have access to several clubs and service opportunities like students in public and private schools. What was the dashing young man to do? Colleges want students who have proven themselves. How could he prove himself? How could he make them take his application with his activities and service hours as seriously as others?

By scoring a 32 on the ACT. That’s how dashing Pavid did it.

No matter your situation, a good ACT score can help you.

That’s all for this post.

We’ll talk  about ACT subject tests and scores next.

Mazel tov,

David

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What does the ACT test? ACT Subject Tests and Scores

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ACT Subject Tests and ScoresNow that we’ve covered what exactly the ACT is and why it matters, it’s time to look more closely at ACT subject tests and scores.

In case you’re ahead of yourself in getting started, check out this post: What is the ACT Test?

ACT Subject Tests

The test makers have divided all ACT test questions into subject tests covering English, Math, Reading, and Science.

(I’m not covering writing, because most colleges don’t require it, and it isn’t mandatory.)

Here, we fondly refer to the English, math, and science subject tests as the Four Pillars of Hell.

Actually we don’t. No one does.

Try to get that started in your school, though. That’d be cool.

  • English-This subtest challenges your grasp of English mechanics and rhetoric. The test contains 75 questions, which you have to answer in 45 minutes. The test is made up of five reading passages, each with 15 questions about that passage. For this test, don’t worry if you don’t consider yourself a stellar writer. As long as you can keep track of where apostrophes and topic sentences should go, you should find the English test questions among the easiest on the ACT. In fact, the test makers expect this, and that’s why they gave you 75 questions to answer.
  • Math-The Math subject test asks you to not only recall your basic math skills but also more difficult trigonometry and algebra functions. This test has 60 questions, which you have 60 minutes to answer. The math test tends to start by testing lower-level high school math and then makes its way to the higher, more complicated skills. This test is, at least for me, the most tiring part of the test. I detest math like I detest Nickelback or decaf coffee. It’s obvious most people feel this way, because after math, everyone gets a fifteen minute break.
  • Reading-The ACT Reading will examine your reading comprehension powers. The test contains 40 questions, which you have 35 minutes to answer. In this subtest, your questions are built upon several written passages and ask about things like the writer’s purpose or background or the future of characters in a story. In this test, you have to almost become a detective. More than that, you have to become a psychic detective. You need to be Shawn Spencer. This test asks you to not only deduce meaning and fact from a passage, but also to predict and extrapolate events that might happen as a result of the writing.
  • Science-The Science portion of the ACT is perhaps the most surprising for first-timers. It consists 40 questions and has a 35 minute time limit, but the kicker is that it has very little to do with the specific science classes you took in high school. You won’t find the ability to spout off the entire periodic table from memory helpful on this test (or at parties, surprisingly). Like Reading, the Science subject test is based on passages and tests your ability to interpret data and use the scientific method. It doesn’t seem like it, but all the information you need to answer the questions is in the passage–sometimes it’s just hidden. A good grasp of graph and chart reading will go a long way on this test.

ACT Test Scores

Since your ACT test scores are something colleges use to determine admissions, major, and whether or not to give you free money, they’re kind of a big deal.

Understanding the way the test is scored is not as big a deal, but it helps.

Each of your subject tests yields a raw score, which is refined to find your scaled score, which ranges from 1-36 for each subject test. The scaled scores are then averaged to show your composite score, which goes on your transcript and is your overall “grade” for the ACT.

Not much to that, but now you know.

Mazel tov,

David

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ACT Science Test Prep

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ACT Science Test Prep ACT Science Test PrepACT science test prep is rigorous.

And rigorous is really fun to say. Try it.

Rigorous.

Anyway, while ACT science prep is rigorous, it’s also probably the best example of the mindset you need for the ACT as a whole.

The science test requires you to continuously learn the information in a passage, use that information to answer questions about the passage, and then forget the entire passage so you can move on to the next.

It’s like a Chinese buffet. You have to enjoy a plate of sushi, then quickly get the sushi taste out your mouth so you can enjoy the non-Chinese ice cream they offer.

If that makes sense.

We’ll tackle the ACT science test by learning what the test is like, understanding what types of questions it asks, looking over the instructions, and end with a quick tip.

Ready?

ACT Science Test Description

An ACT science test description is especially important to people unfamiliar with the test.

Here’s the biggest shock to most newbies:

Most of the science you did in high school won’t be on the test.

Did you memorize half of the Periodic Table?

Worthless.

Can you classify seven different fish?

Unnecessary.

At least, it’s worthless and unnecessary for this test. The test makers don’t know which sciences you’ve taken, so the questions aren’t about facts of chemistry or biology.

What matters on the test are the methods you learned in those classes that apply to science as a whole. What matters on the test is your ability to read and understand data, experiments, and viewpoints.

The ACT science test consists of 35 questions which you have 40 minutes to answer.

The test contains 7 passages that are one of three types:

  • Data Representation (38%)
  • Research Summaries (45%)
  • Conflicting Viewpoints( 17%)

Data Representation passages usually involve graphs and tables that show results of scientific research or experiments. The questions for these passages test how good of a graph reader you are and how well you interpret statistical data.

Research Summaries passages give summaries of experiments. The questions test your ability to use the scientific method, as they ask about details in the design and results of the experiments.

Conflicting Viewpoints passages present the different hypotheses of scientists. The viewpoints might dispute each other on how a process works, why an experiment yielded the results it did, etc. Questions about these passages will test your ability to understand hypotheses and as they refer to data.

ACT Science Test Questions

For this part of the post, I could show you one or two semi-good questions as examples…

Or I could point you to a whole series of posts about the ACT science test that includes videos.

Here’s what I think will benefit you more:

ACT Test Prep-Science Videos

Have fun with those.

ACT Science Test Instructions

Here are the ACT science test instructions (Source: Spark Notes) so you won’t waste time reading them on test day.

Instructions: This test contains seven passages, each accompanied by several questions. You should select the answer choice that best answers each question. Within the total allotted time for the subject test, you may spend as much time as you wish on each individual passage. Calculator use is not permitted.

Quick Tip

My quick tip for the ACT science test is to learn to read and remember graphs and tables fast.

These cover the science test like ants on popsicles that fall in the road. And, like ants and popsicles, if they trip you up, things get messy.

I think I tried too hard with that one.

Anyway, when initially looking over the passage, here are  3 things to notice about graphs and tables:

  • What’s measured by the table/graph–obviously, you’ll need to know what you’re looking at. This seems simple, but many of us just fly by the graph and tables and then don’t know where to look for answers.
  • What order the data is in tables/what direction the graph moves–This is just something to mark as you look over the data quickly. Are the units in ascending or descending order? Does the graph trend upward, and what would that mean for the experiment? Also note if there is no discernible order or direction; you might be asked about that.
  • Where the origin is–know where 0 is; a graph might not start at 0, and a table might start with negative units.

Yes, these tips seem obvious, but they’re necessary. Too many times we’ll just skip this information thinking it will save us time.

It won’t.

Making sure you know these three things about a graph or table will save you tons of time, though.

Want more test prep? Check out my ACT test prep page.

Questions? Comments?

Got questions? I’d love to chat. Drop me a comment or send me an email at

david@actcollegetest.org

I’d love to hear from you.

That’s all for now.

Mazel tov,

David

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Filed Under: ACT Science Test, Test Prep

ACT Reading Test Prep

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ACT Reading Test PrepACT reading test prep is somewhat different from ACT English or ACT Math prep.

Why? You can’t really study for it.

Don’t take that the wrong way: You can prepare for the ACT Reading test.

You just can’t really memorize any rules or formulas to do better on the test.

The reading test, much like the science test, is more a test of your ability to comprehend information.

Most of us who’ve made it to the point in high school where we need to take the ACT have decent reading comprehension.

The preparation, then, comes from maximizing the ability you already have by practicing and understanding the test.

As per usual with my test prep posts, we’ll have a quick description of the test, a few words on what to expect from the questions, the test instructions, and a quick tip at the end.

Let’s hit it.

ACT Reading Test Description

Here’s a short story to jumpstart my ACT reading test description:

Once upon a time, a People magazine salesman rang David’s doorbell. David answered the door, hoping the salesman was going to offer him a great deal on a subscription.

Much to David’s amazement, embarrassment, and even astonishment, the People magazine salesman hit him with four of the magazines! Then, the belligerent salesman demanded, “Now, tell me ten things you learned from each of those issues.”

“Ok,” the dazed, handsome David replied, “but first, what is your name?”

“I am Ace E. Teareadingtest. Fear me.”

That’s about what the ACT reading test is like. An angry People magazine salesman demanding you play his trivia games.

Except not really.

I’m not sure if there was really anything useful in that story. It’s kind of analogous, though.

You see, you will have to tell the ACT reading test 10 things about 4 different passages.

Those passages aren’t anywhere near the length of an issue of People, though. No worries.

In the test, you have 40 questions (10 to a passage) and 35 minutes to answer them.

The test is divided into 4 passages: Social Studies, Natural Sciences, Prose Fiction, and Humanities.

Here’s a little bio on each of those topics:

  • Social Studies: Social Studies passages are on topics like biography, business, geography, and political science.
  • Natural Sciences: Natural Science passages are on topics like anatomy, astronomy, and biology.
  • Prose Fiction: Prose Fiction passages are short stories or excerpts from short stories/novels.
  • Humanities: Humanities passages are on topics like art, film, and music.

ACT Reading Test Questions

ACT reading test questions will ask about facts that the author of an article included, the time period of the event the article describes, what a character in a story might have been feeling, and other details and inferences.

A question might look like this:

What is the Author’s point of view?

A. That of the main character of the story

B. That of a character in the story who interacts with the main character

C. That of someone outside the story, but hearing it from a character in the story

D. That of someone who is simply narrating the story

The great part about a question like this and all the questions in the reading test is that all the information you need is in the passages.

Let me say that again.

All the information you need to answer the questions is in the passages.

If you don’t know an answer, you just look in the passage. Yep. It really is that simple.

ACT Reading Test Instructions

Here are the ACT reading test instructions (Source: Spark Notes) so that you won’t waste time reading them on test day.

Instructions: On this test, you will have 35 minutes to read four passages and answer 40 questions (ten questions on each passage). Each set of ten questions appears directly after the relevant passage. You should select the answer choice that best answers the question. There is no time limit for work on the individual passages, so you can move freely between the passages and refer to each as often as you’d like.

Quick Tip

My quick tip for the ACT reading test is to read through and mark the passages before answering the questions.

I strongly recommend at least a speed read of the passage before you even look at the questions.

I don’t recommend you read it super-thoroughly and then try to answer the questions from memory, but if you give the passage a quick read before going to the questions, you’ll be surprised how much you’ve retained. Even with a quick read, you’ll be able to answer several questions from memory.

While doing this quick read, I also strongly recommend marking (underlining, circling, drawing pictures, whatever) important points.

Even if you just write one word next to each paragraph that summarizes what the paragraph is about, it can help you find where to look for answers you don’t remember.

This is an awesome strategy, and it’s the one I used to score a 35 on the ACT reading test.

Read through fast and mark as you go, and then you either know the answer or you know exactly where to look to find it.

Want more test prep? Check out my ACT test prep page.

Hoping all your ACT dreams come true!

Mazel tov,

David

Filed Under: ACT Reading Test, Test Prep

ACT Math Test Prep

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ACT Math Test PrepACT math test prep is a talk we need to have.

It’s not the most fun thing to talk about, though.

I honestly feel kind of like a dad about to have to teach his son about where babies come from.

(It’s the hospital, by the way.)

The ACT math test can be daunting for many, but we can, and we will, overcome it.

We just have to understand it.

Know your enemy. Defeat your enemy.

We’ll jump into the subject with a brief description of the test, a great book for prepping, the test instructions, and a quick tip at the end.

Let’s go.

ACT Math Test Description

Most ACT math test descriptions from students will include tears.

Yours doesn’t have to.

Mine won’t. I don’t cry.

Except in the bathroom when someone hurts my feelings.

Anyway, the ACT math test contains 60 questions that you have 60 minutes to answer. These questions will quiz you on almost all of your high school math courses and even dip into some math from junior high. We can divide the questions into 6 categories, though.

  • Pre-Algebra-23% of the questions are pre-algebra questions.
  • Elementary Algebra-17% of the questions are elementary algebra questions.
  • Intermediate Algebra-15% of the questions are intermediate algebra questions.
  • Coordinate Geometry-15% of the questions are coordinate geometry questions.
  • Plane Geometry-23% of the questions are plane geometry questions.
  • Trig-7% of the questions are Trig questions (Thank God).

As you can see, the math test asks about a little of everything.

On the test, the math test questions will be in a column on the left, and the column on the right will be blank with the header “Do Your Figuring Here.”

Also, unlike the others, in this test, you will have 5 answer choices.

I hope to have a more complete series of posts soon to help you with with the different math concepts you know.

It would be way too much for one post, though.

I do have something to help you, though, if you need help now.

Bob Miller’s Math for the ACT

Bob Miller’s Math for the ACT helped me raise my ACT math score 4 points.

I hate math. This book helped me beat math.

The best thing about it is that Bob is honest: It really is all the math you need for the ACT.

The book helps you review or even learn concepts with which you aren’t skilled. Bob includes practice questions after each section of teaching, and he even included sample math tests.

The book has the formulas and operations you need, but it also teaches tips and tricks to save time and hack harder questions.

It’s also super cheap on Amazon.

If you need help with math, and you need the help fast, click the picture or the link below!

Bob Miller’s Math for the ACT

ACT Math Test Instructions

Memorize these ACT Math test instructions (paraphrased from the test directions) so that you won’t waste time reading them on test day.

Instructions: Solve each problem, then choose the correct answer and fill in the corresponding bubble. Solve as many problems as you can. Do not spend too much time on any one problem; if necessary, skip them and return to them if you have time.

Use of a calculator is permitted on the test. Calculators maybe used for any problem on the test, but some questions are best answered without calculator use.

Note: unless otherwise stated, you should assume that in the test:

1. Figures corresponding to questions are not drawn to scale.

2. Geometric figures are in a plane.

3. “Line” refers to a straight line.

4. “Average” refers to the arithmetic mean.

 

Quick Tip

My ACT math test quick tip is to forget what your math teachers taught you.

That’s right. I’m giving you advice you actually want to follow.

Does “You’ll get credit for showing your work” sound familiar?

Remember how much your teacher liked it when you showed every step (every freaking step!) of your algebra problem?

Forget that.

Time-consuming formula working does nothing for you on the ACT. On the ACT, you get points for answering questions, and that’s it.

So, if you see

3x+1=10

and immediately know that x=3 from doing the problem in your head, answer!

If you can solve a system of equations twice as fast with a calculator as you can by working it out with pencil and paper, do it!

You are doing anything and everything to get the most correct answers as possible in the shortest amount of time possible.

If can win, WIN.

The means is subservient to the end.

Want more test prep? Check out my ACT test prep page.

Mazel tov,

David

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Filed Under: ACT Math Test, Test Prep

Taking An ACT Prep Test

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Taking An ACT Prep Test

In this post, we’re going to be talking about taking an ACT prep test–but not in the way you might think. Almost everyone who takes the ACT will take some sort of prep test.

Theirs won’t count, though.

Yours could.

Mine did.

I will never tell any of you that should do everything I have done during my academic career, but I kicked test using the tip I’m about to give you: Use the first time you take the ACT as a practice run.

Seriously.

For your first taste of the ACT, I recommend you register online and go take the actual test.

Do it completely cold. Do it completely unprepared. Do it completely relaxed.

Your ACT Preparation

Your ACT Preparation. Did you know you can take the ACT up to 12 times? That’s 3 times a year if you start as a freshman. If you have time, then, why not use one try just to get your feet wet and see a REAL score?

It’s different from ACT practice tests. Granted, those are some of the best tools available to students. Use them. Think of them as space heaters to warm yourself up for the test.

However, the ACT College Test is the main event for students. Think of it as baptism by fire–you’ll warm up so fast you might burn.

After that, you will truly know the test, and knowing the test is the first step to beating the test. This is an intensive test prep site. If you’re one of us, get ready to rush into the flames.

I just motivated myself.

The Good Stuff

I’m sure at this point you’re convinced that this idea is genius. In case you still doubt, though, I have more points to combat that shameful disbelief. You should take a real ACT prep test because…

  • The ACT is different from other tests. Because of this, you need different mindsets, strategies, and skills to beat it. A practice run will give you experience with the monster that is the ACT test and show you how those different skills work.
  •  Taking the real test means you have a real score. You have something to put on college transcripts. You have an idea of what level you’re at for acceptance and  scholarships, and you have an idea of how much work it will take to get where you want to be.
  • Most importantly, you have a realistic idea of what you need to improve. Did you run out of time on the Math portion? Did the Science leave you breathless? Did you absolutely kill English and Reading? A prep test shows your true strengths and weaknesses in a way that’s impossible to simulate.

So, are you ready to walk through fire?

Find more test prep tips.

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Filed Under: ACT Strategies, Test Prep
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