(Image Credit to Pinterest)
ACT/SAT
Tips and Tricks
Taking the ACT and SAT test is scary. Not only are you limited in time, but each section includes intimidating amounts of information. It turns out, you are not alone in feeling overwhelmed, anxious, unprepared, and afraid of these tests!
I took the ACT four times—yep, that’s right—four times! Knowing what I know now (and what I’m about to impart to you) I fully believe that confidence and the proper preparation can help anyone earn a great score! To give you an idea, I managed to raise my score up to 8 points over those four tests, just in time for college applications! What did I even study, how did test differently, and what were my best studying resources? Trust me, as your helpful guide during this stressful time of test-taking, at the end of this article, you will soon know three key tips (and some tricks) to help you score your own fantastic ACT/SAT score!
#1
Prepare for the Time Restriction
The ACT test measures roughly two hours and fifty-five minutes. The SAT comes up longer, with three hours and fifteen minutes. Trust me, preparing for the time restriction helps to decrease the stress of the test and helps you actually save time! By first preparing for the time limits, you must know if you can answer each and every question in the allotted time. Below are tables to provide you an outline on what to expect regarding time, amount of questions, and the sections for each test.
❗ Additional Time Tip ❗
Requesting accommodations for both the SAT and ACT is the best thing for your mental and physical health. If you have a documented disability, certainly check out these links below to see how you can request any useful accommodations including extra time and a half, additional breaks, stop-the-clock breaks, large print test booklets, and more.
ACT Accommodations Directions: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration/accommodations.html
SAT Accommodations Directions:
https://accommodations.collegeboard.org/request-accommodations/request
Helpful Trick #1: Purchase a timer!
A Betty Crocker timer (or anything similar) really comes in clutch for these standardized tests! Watches (excluding smart or interactive ones) are also a good idea to have in order to keep track of your time! I only suggest a timer so that you can set it for each section of the test. That way, you are quicker to deduce how much time you actually have left.
Helpful Trick #2: Fill in the bubbles later!
Did you know that students who fill in the answer sheet bubbles after each and every question risk spending 5-10 minutes of their precious test-taking time? Going from the test booklet to the answer sheet and back again contributes to a student’s anxiety, the stress of the test, and the disruption of a test-taking mindset. For the purpose of saving time, try circling the answer letter inside the booklet and then fill all the bubbles when you have completed all or the majority of the questions. Not only are you saving time, but you’re also making yourself go back and double-check each question. (This trick also comes as a mind palette-cleanser in between difficult questions!)
#2
Reading Comprehension
Wanna know what all the ACT and SAT test questions actually test you on? How well you can FIND the answer! Seems a bit silly, but taking a standardized test is like competing in a scavenger hunt. If you can read, spell, understand proper grammar, and know basic math, this test should be a piece of cake! However, almost every high schooler who takes these tests doesn’t score as well as they had hoped. Why is that? Unlike a big scavenger hunt, these tests hide the correct answers in PLAIN SIGHT. The only complication they present is making YOU question if it’s actually the right one. For a quick example, the ACT reading, ACT science, and SAT reading are all basically all the same thing. They test your reading comprehension skills. You don’t need to know any rules or extra information. The answers can be found right in the passages. The only thing tricky is the time limitation. You have to try and find the answers while beating the clock.
Helpful Trick #1: Use your pencil for more than filling in bubbles!
The #1 mistake that some students make is thinking their pencil only serves one purpose: filling in the answer sheet bubbles. However, with both the SAT and ACT, you are allowed to write on the test packet! The best way to answer questions in the ACT reading, ACT science, and SAT writing/language is to skim the questions and then read the passages, underlining key words and potential answers as you go. You can also cross out answers you deem incorrect in order to narrow down and pick the correct one. Utilizing your pencil for the test helps you to focus, stay attentive to detail, and find obvious answers you might not have picked up on.
(Image Credit to CBS and Heather Wines)
Helpful Trick #2: Adopt a Lawyer’s Mindset
A.K.A. look only at the facts. Never ever assume anything! What they present to you on paper is the ONLY thing you need, besides your understanding of grammar and math. Never try to paraphrase or interpret anything. Think you know how they feel or would feel, if they don’t blatantly stated it in the text? Nope! Look for the answers in the actual text. Never try to answer based on a rough reading or your own idea of what you read. Both the ACT and SAT prey on your tendency to assume or think you know anything outside of what they tell you on paper. Approach the test like you already know it’s trying to prey on your human emotions. Your pencil, underling/crossing out sentences, and a sharp rational mind are your best weapons.
#3
Practice Taking the Test!
There are tons of resources out there to help you practice and prepare for your ACT/SAT tests! Practicing is THE most crucial part of the entire preparation process. Not only do you practice and prepare yourself for reading and analyzing the test contents, but you also test your time! Time is crucial! There is a big difference between preparing for the test and preparing to take the test.
Helpful Trick #1: Take real ACT tests as practice!
Use real ACT tests found by a simple google search or click on this link here: https://www.crackab.com/act-downloads/. Be sure to review all of your answers after each practice test! When I first started my practice, I took only one ACT test completely blind and with no time limits. Then, I reviewed it and started to take my 2nd test (again with no preparation), but with limited ACT standard times (English: 45 minutes, Math: 60 minutes, Reading: 35 minutes, and Science: 35 minutes). Now, if you followed what I did here, knowing how you score with (and without) time restriction and zero preparation, these two initial tests will set your baseline for comparing future improvements.
Helpful Trick #2: Scoring by sections
When it comes to practice, space those sections out! Once you see which sections (ACT: math, science, reading, and English or SAT: reading, writing/language, and math) are your strength and your weakness, practice taking section tests! One thing I wish I knew was to NOT practice in full tests. I ended up taking a test every day leading up to my tests. Not only was it completely time-consuming and hard, but I was closer to burnout each time! Don’t overdo it with the practicing—take it in sections! A simple plan could be two sections a day, one morning and one at night . The rest of the time can be spent reviewing your answers, grammar, or your math skills.
Helpful Trick #3: Brush up on your grammar & math skills
The sections that will actually test your knowledge includes the math and English sections of the ACT and the math and writing/language sections of the SAT. One could earn a score of 30 to 36 just by reviewing their grammar and math skills. The math tested on both the ACT and SAT includes algebra, geometry, trigonometry, a bit of precalculus, and probability. For grammar, brush up on the uses and rules of punctuation and the proper structuring of sentences. For a brief overview of these subjects and VERY helpful tips to remember, I recommend purchasing or borrowing the ACT Prep Black Book: The Most Effective ACT Strategies Ever Published by Mike Barrett.
Wishing you the very best for your ACT/SAT tests! You got this!
Comments
Post a Comment