Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
High school juniors nationwide are gearing up to take the ACT next week, aiming for a baseline score to guide their study plans and prepare for early college admissions.
Here are some tips about preparing for and taking the ACT from the experienced counselors at Mountains Heights Academy.
Take advantage of free practice tests
Ann Meeks, assistant director at Mountain Heights, wrote her master's thesis on how to help teens prepare for the ACT. She emphasized the importance of taking practice tests.
"Test taking is a skill that you can improve with practice and time! The more practice tests you take, the better your score will be."
Practice tests not only reinforce concepts but also familiarize students with the test format and time management. Meeks noted that all Utah high school students can access free ACT practice tests on Shmoop.com, using the access code TOPAZ.
Learn how to take a practice test
Just like musicians and athletes, students can engage in ineffective practice if they don't approach it correctly. Sunee Eardley, an ACT boot camp coordinator and math department team lead, shared several tips for effectively taking ACT practice tests:
- Take an initial ACT practice test to identify the section(s) where additional study is needed.
- Focus on your weakest section (English, mathematics, reading or science) and take multiple practice tests. Then, go through the problems you missed and work toward understanding the concepts.
- Always time your practice sessions, so that you can learn how to pace yourself for each section.
"Often students struggle with the same type of question across multiple tests," Eardley said. "If they recognize a pattern, they can target it in their studies."
Notice patterns and use them to your advantage
Meeks, who has taught ACT prep for 17 years, said understanding the test's repetitive nature can ease nerves and improve comprehension.
"The ACT is standardized and predictable," she said. "The number of questions, time for each section, directions, and question types all stay the same. The more familiar you are with the test format, the more confident you'll feel on test day."
Be smart with how you skim
Sara Scholes, a math teacher who's been with Mountain Heights for over a decade, advised students to develop efficient skimming skills.
"Quickly skim a question to determine if you know how to solve it," Scholes said. "If you're completely stuck, skip it — there are likely easier problems ahead!"
However, she emphasized that students should answer each question, so leave time at the end to return to skipped questions. Students can circle the question number to make it easier to find later.
With the right strategies, ACT prep doesn't have to be overwhelming. And if your teen is looking for dedicated, experienced teachers and counselors to support them with their college applications, Mountain Heights may be the right fit.
Learn more at an upcoming information session or talk to an admissions counselor today.
Best of luck on the ACT on April 5!
Mountain Heights Academy is an accredited, tuition-free online school for Utah kids in grades 7-12. With its flexible curriculum, accessible teachers and college-preparatory classes, Mountain Heights Academy has been developing connected and successful learners since 2009. Learn more at https://mountainheightsacademy.org/.
