Testing dates for the ACT are around the corner, and the statewide exam is on the horizon. In 2024, the Nebraska average score was slightly below the national average at 19.1 out of a possible score of 36. We have three tips to help you prepare and three tips to help you the day of the exam. This can help you break through the 20s and maybe achieve that perfect ACT!
Here is what you can start doing now to get the best score possible.
Develop a Plan
Start with your study plan. You should have a good idea of your study habits, so make a plan that fits your style. If you are taking the ACT a second or third time, then adapt your plan based on how you did before. This is likely the biggest test you will ever have to take, make sure you treat it that way. Study more, study longer, and work harder.
You will also want to develop your test plan. Don’t wait until you are sitting in front of the exam wondering what to do. It’s a long test divided into sections. Are you going to check your time? If so, when and how often? Are you going to go question by question or adopt the glance strategy and read through all the questions? What is your plan if a question is completely foreign to you?
Access Quality Study Material
When looking for materials and information to help you prepare for the ACT, the best starting place is the exam’s source. You can find a lot on the ACT website.
You will want to balance your study time and get help from other resources. Almost all public libraries have study guides from well-known publishers. You can also check with your high school as they may have access to resources for students.
Exhaust the free resources available to you before considering test-prep classes. Some students have invested in courses only to see lower scores. The courses provide good resources, just exhaust free resources first and know what you are getting into.
Practice with Intent
Practice is important to getting your best score. This isn’t like other tests in high school. It’s longer and it is timed. The key to reducing stress during the test is to be familiar with the exam. The ACT website has some great practice exams. Make sure you give yourself time limits to mimic what to expect during the exam.
Once you take the first practice exam you will want to adjust your study plan. Focus on where you have the greatest gains. It’s typically easier for students to gain points in sections where their scores are lowest than to get those last few points chasing perfection.
Now that you have studied hard you are ready to conquer the ACT. Here are some tips to help you on test day. Before you go, make sure you take extra pencils for the paper exam and fully charge your calculator.
Start with a Strategy
Before the clock starts on your first section take a deep breath and remember your plan. Panic is common with the ACT and calming exercise is your way of telling yourself that you got this! You need to stay calm during the test. Remembering the plan is the best way to keep stress from creeping in during the exam. You usually get a short break between sections, use it to assess how your plan is going.
Execute on Your Test Plan
Don’t deviate from your plan. Some students read through the exam and answer easy questions first. Then a question seems easy, so they stop to answer it and find it took way longer than expected. If your plan is to check the clock after five questions then do it, even if you feel like you are “on a roll.” This will reinforce your plan and help you later.
You may find problems with your plan, but this is not the time to make changes. Although you may be tempted to speed up or slow down, make sure you stick to your plan and make changes between this exam and your retake.
Finish the Bubbles
Part of your plan should be what some call “the final few.” That is what you will do when you are nearing the end of the time limit. The ACT does not penalize for wrong answers, so you will want to answer every question. Some students will take a few minutes to quickly fill in an answer for each question. Others will take more time to make an “educated guess.” It needs to be part of your plan, but don’t fall into the trap of “I can just finish this one.” Once you hit your time mark, start guessing.
Keep track of how many questions you guessed at. Knowing this will help you plan your study time before your next test. Sections where you guessed a lot might be the best place to increase your score.
Put these strategies into action, and you’ll be in the best position for success—whether this is your first attempt or a retake.
By Jason Combs