With less than two weeks to go until the ACT test is administered, feelings of anxiety and stress are expected to quickly approach as well. The test will be given to juniors, free of charge, on March 26, and it can seemingly be quite nerve-racking in terms of preparation. This article serves as your ultimate guide to acing the ACT, with important information regarding the test as well as helpful tips and tricks.
The ACT at Davie High
The ACT will be given to all juniors at Davie on the morning of Wednesday, March 26. All juniors are expected to take the test, and all students will be divided into testing groups alphabetically by last name. All testing will happen on the third floor, meaning those teachers will be dispersed in other classrooms throughout the building. If you have classes on the third floor, be sure to check with your teacher to find out where you will be. Further information about each junior’s testing location will be provided before test day.
Get Familiar With The Test
While every junior is required to take the ACT, not everybody knows the best way to prepare for the test itself. Ultimately, reviewing the information covered in this test is the best way to prepare. Knowing what’s on the test and how it will be structured makes the test less intimidating to students. Included below is the general layout of how the test is set up, along with the number of questions and the time limit you’re given for each section.
Section 1: English, 75 questions in 45 minutes
This section tests your grammar knowledge as well as structural rules for the English language. You will be provided passages with grammatical or structural errors, where you must identify them and their best replacement. These questions can range from single words to entire sentences, to entire paragraphs, so it’s vital to be prepared for any length of errors.
For many students unfamiliar with the ACT, the most difficult part of this test is the formatting. Not every question on the English test is actually written as a question. Instead, a word or phrase in the provided passage might be underlined, and test takers have to determine if there is an error in the underlined portion. And yes, that does mean that sometimes there is no mistake at all.
Section 2: Math, 60 questions in 60 minutes
This section covers your knowledge of math topics, with content taught from freshman year all the way to the expected beginning of senior year. It’s important to note that you are allowed to bring your own calculator, and it’s highly recommended as one won’t be provided for you to utilize during the test. The purpose of this section is to ensure all students are entirely prepared to take entry-level math college courses.
Section 3: Reading, 40 questions in 35 minutes
This section tests your ability for reading comprehension. With the various passages you will be provided with, you will be required to answer questions relating to those passages and their content. These questions can range from the style of writing, to the plot structure, and possible definitions of words contained within the passage.
Section 4: Science, 40 questions in 35 minutes
Although this section primarily focuses on science topics, reading comprehension is an essential skill that will be utilized throughout. You will be required to use basic scientific skills such as understanding provided data, reading graphs and charts, and solving problems based on the information given to you. It’s not uncommon to be tired by this point of the test, but it’s important to pay attention and continue to try your best.
Test Prep Tips
It’s extremely important to make sure that your knowledge of these topics and skills are up to date, and the best way to do this is to pay even more attention to your teachers. Along with giving advice about taking this test, teachers are there to help you successfully practice and apply these necessary skills, along with giving you content to review.
Davie High math teacher Leigha Wilson further advises students to “make sure they bring a charged calculator and do their best.” English teachers Ashley Snider and Erica Spry were asked about their thoughts on the best way to prepare for the English and Reading sections of the test.
“The more that you read, the faster your fluency will become,” Snider said. Spry added on to other benefits that come from reading more, stating that “…reading is going to help build those foundational skills. And you’re indirectly going to learn the grammar and the vocabulary, which is so important on the ACT.”
In addition, it is suggested that students use practice tests to become more familiar with the content contained within the test itself. There are many scattered across the internet, but we recommend the one on the ACT website itself—this is where you can truly identify the areas and subjects that you’re strong in, and realize which ones might need some more attention and practice on. Additionally, Tutor.com has full practice tests that Davie High students can access for free. Learn more at the link.
The ACT can be quite difficult, but there are still things you can do to aid in your completion of this test, both inside and outside of the classroom. Getting plenty of rest the night before is essential to making sure you stay awake during the test. It’s also important to eat a good breakfast beforehand, and to dress in clothes you’ll be comfortable in for this lengthy test. Make sure you’ve gathered everything you need and head to the correct testing location. As you get started, don’t be afraid to take some deep breaths to calm yourself and relieve any anxiety, and keep a positive attitude throughout. Focus your attention entirely on the test, and be sure to read all questions and answer choices completely before you pick your answer.
When it comes to taking the test, many find themselves not having the ability to answer all the questions in the given time frame—pacing yourself is vital, and be sure not to leave any questions unanswered. If you happen to finish before the time limit is up, check back over answers and reread any questions you feel unsure of.
Test anxiety is not uncommon by any means, and it’s a completely normal feeling to have while preparing for and taking this test. We hope that this information regarding the test and various test-taking tips and strategies can help you feel more confident and perform better on test day.
