The ACT can be intimidating. The good news is that you have access to all of the information and resources you need to prep yourself and do the best you possibly can. The following list will point you in the right direction to help you take advantage of what you already have at your disposal.

Take higher math

…and don’t forget Geometry. The ACT math section tests you on arithmetic, pre-Algebra, Algebra I & II, Geometry and a bit of Trig. Students have the most trouble on two sections of the Math test: the higher math questions toward the end and Geometry. Why Geometry? Likely because schools spend more time on Algebra than on Geometry.

Read a book…

…a week. Or at least one a month. Here’s the absolute best advice I can give any student who want to succeed on the English and especially Reading section of the ACT: read. The more you read, the more you understand. Period. The more books you read, the more you build vocabulary, increase your comprehension skills and build the means to eventually analyze literature.

Don't sleep through class…

…unless it’s PE. As a tutor, I can teach all sorts of tricks and strategies to help bump a score, but there is no substitute for content knowledge. If you don’t know the content tested on the ACT, you’ll fail. The core high school classes teach everything any student needs to know to do well on the test. You just have to stay awake.

Write persuasively…

…about anything. The more essays you can get under your belt in high school the better you’ll do on the Essay portion of the test. That section asks you your informed opinion about some issue that affects teenagers. It can be anything from improving school lunch, to abolishing high school sports to requiring community service for high school juniors. Be able to take a position on an issue and back it up with reasonable arguments and facts.

Take an AP course…

…because they are free college credit and free test prep. AP classes can be seen as test preparatory classes, and once you’ve learned how to prep for one test (the AP test of your choice) you’ll have insight into how standardized tests work in general. Also, AP courses tend to teach the comprehension and analysis strategies often tested on the ACT. Plus, those classes look pretty good to college admissions officials anyway.

Take practice tests…

…regularly. Many students bomb their first ACT because they were unfamiliar with the format, timed nature of the test or the content. Don't be surprised! Take a few practice tests and get used to how and what the ACT is going to ask of you.

Take the test more than once…

…and preferably at least three times. There is something about taking the test more than once that improves a student’s score all by itself. Perhaps it is simply the fact that as time passes, students learn more in class and get smarter. Maybe it is because taking the test once gets a student comfortable

Do something to formally prep for the test..

…it really doesn’t matter what, as long as you’re dedicated to try and improve your score. Find some practice tests online. Better yet, pick up a quality prep book. Even better, find a prep class or a tutor to help you. Having trouble deciding which prep option to choose? Go with the best prep you can afford.

Ask an expert about the test…

…like me. Got questions? Shoot me an email. Your guidance counselor can be a good resource too, as can the other posts on this site, the official ACT site, ACT.org.