Acing the ACT: Ways to prepare

photo credit: Sakara Ross

According to the Princeton Review, they claim that the ACT is one of the most important factors in dictating if you gain an admission to college or are eligible for a merit based scholarship.

While the knowledge of the importance of the ACT is practically omnipresent, it is crucial that students are aware of how to adequately prepare for this examination

“Honestly there are many resources online to study that anyone can use. There are a lot of helpful YouTube videos and free online practice tests that I believe every student should use. These are some of the most effective ways of studying and the best part is that they are both free,” Senior Krish Parikh said.

You can find ACT practice tests online on the official ACT website. While the official ACT website only has a restricted number of ACT practice tests you are also able to find other ACT tests around the internet.

“Firstly, for any section of the ACT with multiple articles, they will always follow a set type of essay. Start with your strong suit and move on to the harder ones last to ensure you get the most points. Secondly, in general, if you are ever unsure of what the answer is always guessed, never leave an answer blank as it will not count against you,” Krish Parikh said.

The ACT is not solely a game of academic intellect but it also inadvertently tests your ability to find short cuts, there is another website that goes by the name of ACTWTF (ACT winning tactics and formulas) where you are able to find a plethora of strategies for the reading section and all of the necessary and possible formulas for the math section of the act. By utilizing a website like that any student can learn how to find short cuts.

“I think Trigonometry and word problems are the most difficult. Trigonometry is mostly taught in Pre-Calculus, so not every student has taken Pre-Calculus before they take the ACT,” Algebra II teacher, Steven Geiger said

The math portion of the ACT has a high number of geometry related problems as according to “thepreparedstudent.com”, because of this fact, and because most students take the ACT after completing Algebra II, it is crucial that students retest their knowledge on geometry or take pre-calculus before taking the ACT.

“I regret not taking my first attempt earlier. My first attempt was in the spring of my junior year and that meant that I was only able to take one or two more attempts before my scores needed to be submitted,” Parikh said.

While it is important to have some precalculus experience before taking the ACT which is possible for the majority of students, it is also important to take the test early so that you have more time to practice and prepare for the ACT.

“The best way to prepare for the ACT, is practice, practice, practice.” Geiger said.