How to Ace the ACT Exam in 10 Steps

Anyone who wants to go to college in the US must take the ACT. In 2021, 1.2 million students took the ACT. The average score was 20 – meaning, if you got 21 or higher, you’re above average, but only 0.3 percent got a perfect score (36). While you don’t need to get a 36, it would be nice, wouldn’t it?

This post will show you 10 simple things you can do to ace the ACT exam. 

1. Familiarize yourself with the sections

This can make or break your test. When preparing for any exam, familiarity with the format and content is paramount.

The ACT exam has a total of four sections: English, math, reading, and science. There is also an optional writing test. 

Each of the main sections are in multiple choice format, with each containing four choices – except the math, which has five choices. The optional writing test consists of an essay. 

All sections have a set number of questions and a set time limit. If you are well acquainted with these sections, you can limit the element of surprise that can sometimes cripple performance. 

2. Set a schedule for studying

If you want to ace the ACT, you have to set a schedule for studying. It may be obvious, but you would be surprised at how this step is often underestimated. It is simple enough to set a study schedule, but it is also much easier to ignore it and sacrifice study time when “something” comes up.

So, what exactly do you need to do?

Get a calendar – one of those large desk or wall ones which you can write on. You can also use Google Calendar or whatever app you prefer. Plan out your days leading up to the test. Mark down specific days and times which you will dedicate to reviewing for the ACT. Set a goal of how many hours a week you want to study. After that, pick the days of the week that are best for you to study, then divide the hours up evenly between them. More days with shorter study sessions are typically better than fewer days with longer sessions.

Allocate as much of your free time as possible, but also be realistic. Don’t deprive yourself of other activities you enjoy. Prioritize studying for the ACT but give yourself breaks.

Once you’ve set your schedule, stick to it! You’ll thank yourself in the end.

3. Take practice tests

This is perhaps one of the most important steps that you can take. Cliché, but practice makes perfect.

ACT practice books are readily available at many bookstores and online retailers. You’ll find certain types of questions, topics, or maybe entire sections particularly challenging. You might feel like avoiding them, but instead, meet them head on. Focus on these challenging sections till you feel comfortable with them. 

Pro tip: Don’t worry much about the time you take during your early test runs. Pay more attention to how familiar you are with the format and the test-taking process.

4. Time yourself

After taking a few practice tests, make note of which sections are taking up the most time. Using a timer as a tool, figure out how many minutes you spend on each section, and try to whittle down the amount of time it takes to complete each one. This is not to say that you want to rush through the test; rather, attempt to find a pace that allows you to be present with each question, while not lingering too long.

5. Set a goal for your score

The ACT has a total of 36 points. You can use scoring guidelines to figure out your score after taking practice tests. Set a goal for how much you want to improve. Try to be realistic when setting these goals, while also pushing yourself to get better. If you are falling short of your goals, don’t get discouraged. Think forward, ever forward.

6. Hire a professional tutor

This is a step that is often overlooked and underutilized but can be indispensable to success. Yes, hiring a tutor does cost money, but you can think of it as an investment on your college education, making it well worth it. Hiring a tutor in Las Vegas is an easy task, and once hired, your tutor can help you to home in on any problem areas. For many students, math is a particularly challenging subject, so hiring a math tutor in Las Vegas can be especially beneficial. 

7. Register for the test

You can easily register for a test on the ACT website. When doing so, consider a few things. 

First, when is the exam? Do you have enough time to prepare? Preparation time is different for everyone, but in general, three months is a good target.

Second, consider the distance of the testing site. The closer to you, the better. You don’t want to be on the road for a long time on the day of the test. You want to get there in as short a time as possible so you are not tired or stressed.

8. Don’t cram the night before

Scientific studies done around cramming for exams conclusively demonstrate one thing: it doesn’t work! Not only does cramming not work, but it can also contribute to stress and sleep deprivation. Here’s the good news: if you follow steps 1-7 above, you won’t have to worry about this point!

9. Get a good night’s sleep before the exam

Instead of cramming (which, again, you do not have to do if you follow our tips) the night before the ACT, get a good night’s sleep. The night before the exam can be a tough one, sure. You might stress and feel anxious about the next day. You might find yourself tossing and turning in bed. 

To help you settle down, plan way ahead of time. Establish a sleeping pattern that gives you enough time to wind down in the evening. During wind down time, you can take a hot bath, listening to music that calms you down, and drink herbal tea (we swear by chamomile and lavender!). 

Bottom line: do what makes you feel relaxed!

10. Eat a good breakfast in the morning of the exam

Another one of those obvious things…but a healthy breakfast is important on a regular day, what more on a huge day such as your ACT exam? Don’t skip it, but don’t stuff yourself. You want to be awake and feel full so hunger pangs don’t distract you during the test. A proper breakfast will give your body the energy to power through the exam.

What should you eat? Here are some recommendations for delicious exam fuel: fruits, eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies, and juices. 

With these simple steps, you can prepare yourself to take the ACT to the best of your ability and ace it, too!
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