What is ACT?
The ACT (American College Test) was developed by the American College Testing Program. It consists of four multiple choice test areas: English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. The exam also includes an optional writing test. A maximum score is a 36.
A lot of colleges use ACT test scores (or SAT scores) as a standardized measuring stick to determine who gets admitted and who benefits from scholarships.
ACT Preparation Guide
Proper preparation is essential to ace the ACT exam.
- Take the self-assessment ACT test, and then find out your specific weaknesses, concentrate on those areas first that you can exploit to increase your ACT test score
- Take timed ACT practice tests as many as possible you can, and analyze the test results each time, focusing on those wrong answers
- Because ACT is different with SAT, there is no penalty for wrong answers, feel free to guess if you do not know the answer
- For the writing test, although it called optional, actually, most colleges do check the essays, so for you may be not an “optional”, it is must
- Take the exam as early as possible to have opportunities to repeat the test and a better chance to apply to a college early, some colleges do show higher accepting rates for early applications
- Visit the testing site before test day and pack a bag that includes a calculator, a silent watch, number 2 pencils and a snack
- Have a good sleep the night before the test
- Have a good breakfast with solid food in the morning of the test day