ACT Tips

Math tips

• A lot of math questions can be solved by plugging in the possible answers and eliminating the wrong ones.
• Practice as much as possible, preferably use practice exams.
• Identify your mistakes and the reasons for them. Try to understand how not to repeat these mistakes.
• Make sure that you understand thoroughly all the math content areas.
• Read theoretical explanations about any subject that you do not feel sure about.

English tips

• Expand your vocabulary either by memorizing words or by reading high level books. This can take time - spend this time. The fastest way to memorize new words is by inventing funny mnemonics to help remember the words.

Time

• Remember that the act exam is timed as follows:

• Each question should be solved quickly. As soon as the answer is found it should be marked, moving quickly to the next question.
• It is recommended to practice a few timed exams in order to get used to the optimal pace of solving the exam.
• The more practice you have, the easier it will be for you to solve questions quickly.
• In math, the questions at the end of the exam are harder than the questions at the beginning. Hence, the questions at the beginning can be solved in less than a minute.
• If you feel that you are spending too much time on one question, guess an answer and move on to the next question. At the end if you have time left, you can return to that question and solve it properly.
• If there is little time left and you haven't finished solving the exam, guess the answers to the remaining questions. In the ACT, there is no penalty for guessing wrong; hence leaving unanswered questions is a shame.
• Bring a watch to the exam, but do not waste too much time looking at the watch.
• Be focused while solving the exam and avoid distractions.

Exam day

• Make sure to eat and drink before the exam.
• Bring a bottle of water and a sweater with you to the exam. Just in case.
• Do not eat while solving the exam; this is a waste of time.
• Do not forget to bring a calculator that you are comfortable with for the math part. It is important to make sure that you are familiar with the calculator and know how to use it before the exam.

Exam techniques

• Make sure to answer exactly what was asked.
• Do not forget to read the instructions on the cover of the exam.
• Do not spend a long time on one question. Skip the hard questions and return to them at the end if you have time.