How and When to Approach the ACT For the Best Possible Score
When to Start Thinking About the ACT
Although the ACT is a test for high school juniors, wise students begin to prepare for it in their sophomore year. Currently ten different states administer a test called the PLAN test to sophomores.
Taking Your First ACT Test
If your school does not offer this test, you can still obtain an official ACT practice test from your guidance counselor or download one from the ACT website free of charge. Taking the time on afternoon to take the test, with someone watching the clock, is a wise idea. All practice tests are not equal, however. Ensure that you have either an official ACT practice test, or one that breaks the Math and English scores down into subscores. This is not the norm with practice tests you buy in ACT study guides at a bookstore, though some do have the subscore breakdown.
Understanding Your ACT Score Report
Whether you get an official score report from an actual ACT test or just score a practice test yourself, analyzing the results will provide you with some very valuable information. “Just study everything” is a very ineffective plan, and your score report / score results will prevent you from wasting valuable study time in areas that did not negatively affect your score.
Strategies to Improve ACT Test Score For High School Students
All high school students who plan on furthering their education will have to take the ACT test to be accepted into a college. High school students who do well on the ACT test generally are enrolled in advance-placement or honor courses. The challenges they face in their English, reading, mathematics, and natural science classes adequately prepares them for the rigorous test. Those students are well on their way to scoring high on the test.
Those tests will help students identify their academic weaknesses and familiarize them with the format of the official test. Students should take both tests.
Also, there are several companies that provide good test prep information for high school students.Two of those companies are highly recommended and listed on the internet as www.test-guide.com/act-test.html, and www.kaplan.com. Students can utilize these companies because they have a track record of success for helping students improve their ACT test scores. These companies will provide valuable information needed to be successful on the test, but alternately it is up to the students to utilize that information to be prepared for the ACT test.
If students have the opportunity to take a test prep class at their regular high school during the school day or part of an after-school program, I highly recommend taking it. Furthermore, when the actual test is taken the students will be already familiar with the preliminary instruction for the test. This can save time, and students can utilize that time to concentrate on the test.
Hiring personal tutors to help students improve their ACT test is another option that students should consider before taking the test. The advantages can be extremely rewarding if the tutor is very knowledgeable about the ACT test. Generally, the tutor has scored very high on the test and can provide inside strategies that can really benefit the student. Students should consider utilizing some of the strategies listed in this article and seek out additional information before taking the ACT test. Students can also consider taking a practice ACT test before taking the official test.
