For a various number of high school students, the dreaded ACT is quickly approaching. Between sports, current school work, and our wrecked sleeping schedules, it’s hard to find time to study. Here are some easy tips on how to properly study and prepare for the ACT. 

General Tips 

• Take an ACT Prep class and trust the strategies. Most teachers for ACT classes have scored quite high on their own tests. 
• Don’t do all your studying the night before the test.
• You should use this night to rest. 
• Record yourself saying your notes out loud, and play the recording while you fall asleep. 
• Chew gum while you studying and then chew the same flavor the day of your test. Peppermint stimulates the brain and helps with focus. 

English 

• Read the sentences as carefully as possible. Most times the part of the sentence being tested will sound wrong. 
• Study verb and subject agreement. 
• Beware of pronoun errors. 
• Google the most common vocabulary words on the ACT and study those. 

Math 

• Once you find the answer write it down and keep going. Most tests are judged on method not answer. 
• If dealing with a formula, plug in the numbers from each answer choice to see which makes the most sense. 
• Try substituting numbers for variables. 
• Focus on knowing how to use each formula and not memorizing them. 
• Bring your own calculator. They will not supply you with on, and most of the questions will require one. 
• Bring extra batteries for your calculator.

Reading 

• Focus on the big ideas in the passage. 
• Don’t worry about the small details. 
• Take note of the headings and title. 
• Make connections from one passage to another. 
• Read the questions first so you know what to look for in the passage. 

Science 

• Know the commonly used terms.  
• Focus on the person and what the person did. 
• PSA: you have the least amount of time for this section. 
• Make study questions and time how long it takes you to answer them. 
• Take note of any charts, graphs, or tables.  

Writing 

• Pace yourself.  
• Have a limit of how long you will spend on each part. 
• Practice writing essays from the previous ACT booklet. 
• Get straight to the point. 
• PSA: this part of the test is optional. If you feel like it will be too much of a load, don’t do it. 

Act Dates 2018 

• February 10, 2018, Deadline: January 5, 2018* 
• April 14, 2018, Deadline: March 9, 2018* 
• June 9, 2018, Deadline: May 4, 2018*