Taking the ACT is stressful, and there's a ton to remember while preparing for it. To help you out, I've compiled an easy-to-follow, no-nonsense checklist that'll make sure you're on top of everything for it.

• Wake up by 6:30 the latest. If you wake up much later, you'll be groggy and potentially late.
• Eat breakfast! Even if it's just an apple, have something good.
• Grab your testing kit (with admission ticket and photo ID!).
• Put on your watch.
• Get to the testing facility by 7:30. Check in.
• Take the test! Use your watch to pace yourself.
• On your break, use the restroom, get a drink, and have a snack.

Lastly, don't worry! You've prepared, and you are ready! (A little nerves are good, though, because moderate levels of cortisol, or your stress hormone, actually improve performance on memory tasks [Wood, S. E., Wood, E.G., & Boyd D. (2013). Mastering the world of psychology (5th ed). Houston, TX: Pearson.])

Good luck!


[This post was first written 2014-06-13 and last updated 2014-07-06.]

Many of you will be taking the ACT in the upcoming months (or even sooner depending on when you read this!), so I thought I'd share my best advice. Having taken it three times myself, I've compiled the best tips and tricks for each section of the test plus my single greatest recommendation for ACT success in general. Enjoy.

The ACT English section is the first one on the test. It covers half sentence structure and half grammar.

In general, for the questions that look at sentence structure, the simplest (and usually shortest) "rewrite" is generally best. You want answer that most concisely and accurately states what is intended.

For the grammar questions, you'll need to actually know grammar. Before the test, review common usage errors (their/they're/there, would have and not of, etc.) and punctuation (namely, when to use commas, colons, and semicolons). On the test, I would recommend you go with whatever answer "sounds right" but only if you know your grammar is good. If it isn't or you don't know, the wrong answers might sound right, and that won't help. In those cases, go with the concrete rules you know regardless of how "right" or "wrong" they sound (e.g. "It was I" is right and "It was me" is wrong).

Math is the second section, and unless math is your thing, it can be a doozy.

First thing's first: HAVE A QUALITY CALCULATOR. Seriously. Have a calculator that works well, handles trigonometry, and that you know how to use. Although the ACT can be done without, it will save you lots of time. (Read the ACT's calculator rules to be sure yours is permitted. I recommend the TI-84; see the Materials page to buy one.)

On the actual test, try to move very quickly through ones you know, and use your calculator when possible to save time; doing some problems by hand just isn't worth it. You'll want to cash in that budgeted time on the last 10 questions because they will be hard as all hell. They'll require at least 20 minutes to themselves. If you can, before the test day, work out the last ten problems of practice/old tests, since these ten always cover the same subjects (e.g. there's always a series or sum problem).

Oh, and if you're one of those students that hasn't touched geometry in a few years (that means you, super smart calculus students), take the time to review it beforehand; there ain't no calculus on there, so being super smart in it won't help.

The Reading section has four prompts: prose, social studies, humanities, and natural sciences. That way your reading comprehension in many contexts is evaluated.

Some people recommend reading the questions before the passage, but I never did. It's personal preference. But I do recommend you do the prompts in order from easiest to hardest based on topic. Spend 5 minutes on the first one, 6 minutes on the second, 7 on the third, and the rest of the time on the fourth and hardest (whatever your hardest is). Just be sure to watch the bubbling on your answer sheet.

Here's the nitty gritty: Don't read the prompts! Just look at the graphs! The graphs have almost all the answers. The only times you'll need to read prompts are for the questions that compare experimental methods (the ones where Student A says this, and Student B says that) and for any graphs you don't understand. That's it!

Everyone freaks over science, but it's really quite simple and should be the easiest. (If you don't do well on it, though, don't worry because colleges don't care much about it.)

The Writing section tests your ability to write an organized, persuasive essay on a topic relating to high school life (like uniforms, for example). The essay doesn't have to be five paragraphs; in fact, I'd recommend against it because you likely won't have time for that much. It just needs to have good organization and structure: introduction with thesis, body paragraphs, and conclusion. (The last body paragraph can double with the conclusion.)

You also need to examine the question with a depth that goes beyond "It's good" or "It's bad" or "That just what I think." Give arguments with specific examples, and examine counterparts to your argument and refute them. (For example, if the topic is uniforms, give points in favor—uniforms reduce apparent inequalities among students--and refute counterarguments—some critics argue uniforms destroy individual identity, but identity is still just as apparent through students' personalities, actions, etc.)

Do note that scores on writing are largely unpredictable and fluctuate wildly, even for the same person.  There is no secret formula to get a 12 as far as I can tell. As a result, anything 8 or above is great; take it and run.

Well, those are my best ACT tips and tricks. I do have one more recommendation, though, and it's the most important one: Take the ACT more than once.

Yes, that's right. The first time around will always be rough because you don't know what to expect. I personally took it 3 times (end of sophomore year, halfway through junior year, and end of junior year). Most people's scores jump the most between the first and second time, and there's often a decent bump between second and third. Therefore, take it more than once! And practice in between! (However, more than three usually isn't worth the effort, especially if you're not studying. But you should use your best judgment. It varies for everyone!)

Good luck! I wish you the best! (And if it's the night before, go to bed already!)


[This post was first written 2014-02-02 and last updated 2014-07-06.]