ACT Prep Where Should I Start

Theres a big sea of ACT test prep out there. When you decide to start studying for the exam, it can be tricky to know where to start. But ACT prep doesnt have to be overwhelming! With these five ACT tips and the best free ACT resources, youll be well on your way to making the exam work for you in the college admissions process. 1. Know Where You Stand. If you dont know where youre starting from, how will you get to where you want to go? The first thing every student should do in the ACT prep process is to take a diagnostic exam. This will help you identify exactly what you need to work on to succeed on test day (in other words, diagnosing you). ACT practice tests will be your best friend throughout this process, so start getting used to them now! The best way to learn the test is by taking it, and then studying what youve done—and how you did it. 2. Know Your Strategies. Are you more drawn to fiction or history? To experiments or theories? To coordinate geometry or algebra? Its not vital that you take the entire ACT in the order that its given—instead, skim each section as you approach it so that you can focus on your strengths. This will make sure that, on this time-pressured exam, you make the most out of the time that you do have. Furthermore, itll give you confidence as you move forward into areas with which you might be less comfortable. 3. Know Your Goals. Before you go into the exam, its a good idea to have some idea of which colleges you want to apply to. Even if you dont have your definitive list down, getting some idea of the ACT score range at your dream schools will help you know what youre aiming for. 4. Take Small Steps to Big Goals. Once you set your goals, though, realize that you wont get there overnight. If youre consistently scoring in the low 20s overall, it can be really discouraging to expect a miracle to occur between practice tests. Instead, focus on question categories (main ideas, triangles, scientific graphs, prepositions) and work on improving in those areas. That way, therell always be progress to celebrate—and youll be better able to see exactly where youve made strides. 5. Zero in on the Best Resources. Practice makes perfect, right? Not if youre practicing with bad materials! Work with the best ACT prep materials to make sure that youre preparing yourself with the most accurate questions out there. The ACT organizations online prep is an outstanding place to get materials straight from the test-maker. Magoosh has a number of free resources as well, including flashcard and prep apps, a free ACT study guide eBook, and, of course, a free full-length ACT practice test, to start your studying off right! David Recine is a test prep expert at Magoosh. He has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He has been teaching K-12, University, and adult education classes since 2007 and has worked with students from every continent. Currently, David lives in a small town in the American Upper Midwest. When he’s not teaching or writing, David studies Korean, plays with his son, and takes road trips to Minneapolis to get a taste of city life. Accepted has helped applicants gain acceptance to top colleges and universities for 25 years. Our team of admissions consultants features former admissions committee members and highly experienced college admissions consultants who have guided our clients to admission at top programs including Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, MIT, University of Chicago, and Yale. Want an admissions expert  to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources: †¢ Preparing for College in High School, a free guide †¢ 9 Easy Ways to Improve Your ACT Score †¢ How to Choose a College Admissions Consultant