With the Undergrad Admissions process for 2023 Fall on, the students would like to take the ubiquitous SAT or ACT for securing a seat in prestigious institutions. ACT is yet another competitive exam and to perform well in it, the student should know the structure and content of the test.
The ACT test is an online test for international students, while US students have access to both the paper-pencil and the computer-based ones (CBT). The ACT exam dates in 2022- 23 are:
Both the paper- pencil and the CBT have the same sections, number of questions, time limits, and scoring system. In the online format, the overall passage or the problem will be on the left side and the question on the right side. One has to click the circle beside the answer to select it. To make the test-taking experience better, ACT has included a timer and five online tools: a magnifier, highlighter, answer masking, answer marking, and a line reader. Let us now look at the sections on the test.
| Order of the Section | Section/ Test | No. of Questions | Time Allotted | No. of Answer Options |
| 1 | English | 75 | 45 minutes | Multiple Choice, 4 answers |
| 2 | Math | 60 | 60 minutes | Multiple Choice, 5 answers |
| 3 | Reading | 40 | 35 minutes | Multiple Choice, 4 answers |
| 4 | Science | 40 | 35 minutes | Multiple Choice, 4 answers |
| 5 | Writing | 1 | 40 minutes | Essay prompt |
Let us now look at the ACT exam syllabus. The different sections on the ACT test different skills and knowledge. Hence, you have to use different strategies for different ACT subjects or sections. Also, each section has different question patterns which the student must familiarize himself with.
English: The ACT English section tests on two major areas – Usage and Mechanics (including punctuation, grammar, usage, and sentence structure) and Rhetorical Skills (including strategy, organization, and style). There are five passages each with 15 questions.
Math: This section tests high school mathematics which includes – Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry, and Data Analysis. Students are allowed to use one of the permitted calculators in this section. Unlike the SAT, ACT does not provide reference sheets with formulae.
Reading: In the Reading section, one has to read the passages and answer the questions accordingly. There is no need for any prior knowledge in this section. There are four subject topics – Humanities, Social, Literature, and Natural Science. Each passage has 10 questions.
Science: The science section is similar to the reading section. There are seven passages that may contain charts, graphs, experimental summaries, or clashing viewpoints of scientists. Each passage will be followed by 4 to 7 questions.
Writing: This section is optional and tests the analytical writing skills of the students.
The ACT is scored on a range of 1-36. Each section is scored on a range of 1-36 and the final score is a rounded-off average of the four section scores. The Writing section is scored on a range of 2-12, which is an average of four domain scores.
One can register for the ACT using an ACT account. The test can be booked on the ACT website. Decide on the test date. There is an option of directly sending the ACT scores to 4 colleges that you select during the registration. The scores will reach the colleges as early as two days from the test date. But it may get delayed by a few weeks. So it is advisable to take the ACT at least two months before the college deadlines. The additional score reports can be sent later if you choose to change your mind about the colleges. For further ACT information, visit the ACT.org website.
The first step to prepare for a test like ACT is to know the structure and the content of the test. Learn about the timing you have per question, the different online tools and how they work, and the different question types you may come across on the test.
Visit university websites and collect information about their score requirements for the different courses.
To begin with, take a sample ACT prep test. There are six official practice tests available, five ACT practice test pdf and one online. The score on this test should help you decide if you want to do self-prep or take up ACT classes.
The ACT Test Prep that you choose should provide you with the right strategies and ACT-like test materials for preparation. You may choose to have an online or an offline batch based on your availability and accessibility.
Look for the best ACT books for your preparation. These books should not just deliver the content, but also teach you strategies that could help save time. The questions and the tests in the book should be closely aligned with the actual test.
Remember that you cannot cram everything in a week. Plan to spend a consistent number of hours every week on the ACT prep. Break down your preparation into bite-sized pieces. Avoid distractions. Have an exam-like environment. Say a goodbye to social media and mobile phones during practice time.
There is no replacement for hard work. Learn the necessary content relevant to the ACT test. And knowledge alone may not be enough to take us to the finishing line. You have to create strategies for answer elimination, time management, and guessing.
Your practice materials need to simulate the actual test. The practice materials are meant to sharpen your skills. These can include specific question types, topics, or entire sections. Solve a few ACT exam sample papers before you take the actual test. Learn from your mistakes. Learn where you are making mistakes: in the concepts, in the application, lack of concentration, or lack of time. Learn to improve in those areas rather than constantly working on your strengths. Schedule the tests during the same time as the actual ACT.
The tests you take need to be reviewed and remedial measures should be taken accordingly. Don’t shriek away from taking professional help in this accord.
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