ACT Preparation Tips - Top 5 Tips, Section wise Strategies

ACT Preparation Tips - There are a few evergreen ACT preparation tips that include working questions out of order, choosing a “letter of the day”, forgetting the right answer and finding the wrong ones, knowing the best way to bubble in, tailoring strategy to each section of the ACT, and building the right ACT prep plan. Now when we talk about ACT preparation tips, we mean the last-minute ACT tips which can be supplemented with months-long preparation done for the ACT exam. Following the ACT preparation tips can fetch an impressive ACT score and there is no denying that. Thus, in this article, we shall be covering tips for ACT preparation online along with a few study materials for ACT.

ACT Exam: Preparation Tips

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This Story also Contains

1. Top 5 ACT preparation tips to ace the ACT exam
2. How to Prepare for ACT- Section-Wise Strategies
3. Tips for ACT Science Section
4. ACT Preparation Tips for Essay
5. ACT Preparation Tips for Mathematics:
6. ACT 2025: Top 5 preparation strategies
7. ACT Preparation Books & Materials

Top 5 ACT preparation tips to ace the ACT exam

Now in this section, we are going to be talking about the top 5 ACT preparation tips that a candidate must follow while preparing for ACT exam. While ACT preparation books are a great aid in the journey, following these tips will also enhance the chances of acing the ACT test.

1. Select Questions Out of Order

• Just notice that spending too much time on the tough questions will result in rushing through the easier ones and thus, arises the need to categorize the questions.
• Attempt questions that seem easier right away. It will help clear minds that some part of the question paper has been attempted and gives a feeling of relaxation.
• Now come to the questions that feel a little tougher and therefore need to be dedicated more time. Attempt them.
• Finally, the questions that raise a red flag or appear as the most difficult. These are the questions for which the answer is not known. Attempt them anyway, as leaving them blank and making a wrong guess will have the same effect on the raw score since there is no negative marking. This is a great way to improve the ACT score.

2. Go by “letter of the day”

Make it a point to answer even the questions for which the answer is not known. As already mentioned, there is no negative marking in the ACT exam and thus, making a wrong guess does not hurt. When making a guess, pick your favourite two-letter combo of answers and stick with it. For example, always choose A/C or D/H. Being consistent with choices will most likely fetch a few extra marks.

3. Go by the Process of Elimination

Since ACT has a multiple-choice question pattern, it is easier to spot the right answers since they are already given on the question paper. At the same time, it becomes confusing also as the correct answers are camouflaged by the wrong ones. The best way to go about answering the multiple-choice questions is to follow the elimination method. Focus on eliminating the wrong answers before finding the right answer. This will make the process much easier and accurate.

4. Know how to Mark with Precision

This advice can help avoid mistakenly filling in the incorrect bubble on the answer sheet, which could cost points. Work on one page of English and math at a time, and one passage of reading and science at a time. On the worksheet, circle responses. Then, move a page's worth of responses at a time to the answer sheet. Instead of breaking concentration to locate where it is left off on the section, it is preferable to remain concentrated on the working questions.

5. Have a Tailored Strategy for Each Section of the ACT exam

Like there are different sections of the ACT exam, there have to be different strategies for approaching each section of the ACT exam. Choose the right ACT preparation books that provide concepts for each section. One of our last-minute ACT tips would be to know about each section thoroughly before even attempting the exam and have separate answering strategies for all sections.

How to Prepare for ACT- Section-Wise Strategies

Now we will be talking about section-wise strategies as part of ACT preparation online tips. Read on.

ACT Reading Section

In the ACT exam, there will be four ACT reading passages of about 800 words each, which always appear in the following order:

1. Prose Fiction

2. Social Science

3. Humanities

4. Natural Science

Candidates are required to answer 10 questions after each passage and the questions are based on aspects that are both directly and indirectly stated in the passages.

Tips for ACT Reading Section

1. Attempt the easiest passage first leaving the hardest one for the last.

2. Take multiple practice tests before the actual ACT exam date.

3. Read the questions first to know what to exactly look for in the passage.

4. Do not get stuck with a passage in case of not understand it. Keep moving on circling back to it later.

5. Always look for transition words as these have a clue to the final destination.

ACT Preparation Tips for English

1. Sentences should be complete, clear, concise and consistent.

2. Know the basics of English grammar like subject-verb agreement, pronoun agreement, adjectives and adverbs, comparisons and superlatives, punctuation, and conjunctions

3. Take answer choices as clues to comprehend what the question is really asking for.

4. Practice the strategy of elimination of wrong answers to get to the right answer.

5. Don’t assume that all questions necessarily have errors that cannot be spotted.

Tips for ACT Science Section

1. Candidates should be well versed in what usually comes in the Science section of the ACT. Study the data and trends carefully.

2. Pick up the easiest science passages first moving on to the hardest.

3. Categorize the passages in terms of the ones that are best to be the first, and so on.

4. In case of attempting a passage that looked good in the first place but now seems to take more time, it is best to move on to the next.

5. Stuck at a dead end? Make a guess and move on.

ACT Preparation Tips for Essay

1. Study the prompt well before attempting the essay.

2. Study the perspective of the essay. Usually, there would be three perspectives - for, against and neutral. Consider what each perspective considers and overlooks.

3. Having analyzed all the perspectives, came up with my own perspective and started work on the essay.

4. Put everything together.

5. Proofread, proofread and proofread.

ACT Preparation Tips for Mathematics:

1. Familiarize yourself with the ACT Math structure and review key math concepts for targeted preparation.

2. Practice effective time management to ensure every question is attempted within the 60-minute limit.

3. Memorize essential math formulas as they are not provided during the test.

4. Use the process of elimination and plug-in answer choices to simplify difficult questions.

5. Take real ACT practice tests to master strategies and reduce careless mistakes.

ACT 2025: Top 5 preparation strategies

When it comes to the ACT examination, the candidates must be aware of a few strategies that can help them to achieve success in the first try. Some of the essential ACT 2025 preparation strategies are:

Understand the Test Format: Know how many sections there are (English, Math, Reading, Science, and optional Writing), how many questions are in each, and how much time you have for each section.

Practice Regularly: Use ACT practice tests to get familiar with the types of questions asked and to improve your timing. Practising helps you get used to the test structure and boosts your confidence.

Focus on Strengths, Manage Weaknesses: Identify your strong subjects and topics within the test and focus on mastering those. For weaker areas, spend extra time practising and seeking help if needed.

Time Management: During the test, manage your time wisely. Don’t get stuck on one question—skip it and come back if you have time. Pace yourself to finish each section within the allotted time.

Stay Calm and Confident: On test day, stay calm and confident. Trust in your preparation and remember to breathe and stay focused. A positive mindset can improve your performance.

ACT Preparation Books & Materials

Let’s look at the best ACT preparation books and study materials to refer to while preparing for ACT exam.

1. Kaplan's ACT Prep Plus.

2. The Official ACT Prep Guide.

3. ACT Prep Black Book.

4. Barron's ACT Study Guide.

5. Princeton Review ACT Premium Prep.

Also read:

• ACT registration
• ACT exam dates 2023
• ACT exam pattern