5 Quick Tips for the ACT

Whether you’ve taken a standardized test yet or not, there are a few tips and tricks that can make or break the way you navigate the ACT. There are a few things that are very specific for the ACT that are good to keep in mind as you take the test. Hopefully these 5 tips from Lotus will help you feel more comfortable and confident on test day!


1. Don’t know the right answer? Figure out the wrong ones

One of the perks of a multiple choice test is that you can still get to the right answer without actually figuring it out. Using the process of elimination, cross of answers that you know are wrong until you are left with one option— this must be the correct answer. Even being able to cross off one right answer will increase your chances of getting the answer right!


2. Don’t be afraid to come back to questions

If you don’t know how to do a problem, don’t be afraid to skip it and come back to it at the end. Just make sure you circle it and remember to come back and answer it!


3. Always guess instead of leaving an answer blank

There is no penalty for wrong answers on the ACT— a wrong answer is scored the same way as an answer left blank. Therefore, you should always guess and fill in a bubble rather than leaving an answer blank. This way, you have a better chance of gaining more points even if you just guess!


4. Know how to budget your time

It’s smart to not spend too much time on any one question since each section has a time limit. Pay close attention to how much time remains in each section, so you will not have to rush at the last minute, or run out of time to bubble in your answers. 


5. Familiarize yourself with the test and practice, practice, practice!

Nothing works better than taking practice tests! Getting used to the format, types of questions, and timing of the test will ease your stress going into test day, and help you get better at taking the test. Many of the questions can be broken down by type and tackled in the same way which can help improve your score.


For more SAT and ACT prep resources, along with a full ACT/SAT diagnostic test, join our Lotus College Planning Group below:


Happy testing!

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