Coming into Junior and Senior year students get introduced to the idea of college. They experience the nerve racking decision of where to expand their knowledge and what field to study. To be able to make this nerve-racking decision, the ACT has to be completed. A timed test over the knowledge students have attained in math, science, reading, and writing. A test that puts individuals on a level of success, because of this, many students find themselves feeling stressed to achieve success. “There’s no reason to torture yourself with endless studying if your scores are already in the right range for your top choice schools” said Samantha Lindsey (PrepScholar).

A good technique for staying calm is being well prepared, this can vary with each person. Either studying a month before or going to bed at a decent time the night before the test. Brynn Hancock, Senior, says “By taking practice tests and reading through the ACT book helped me do well on the ACT”. When it comes to math remembering Algebra classes is a must, because most of the math portion is over this information. Science requires more of reading and detecting than needing science information. To make the science portion a piece of cake, read the question first, then go back into the paragraph and find the correct answer. Reading requires the same techniques as science, by reading the question first it makes it easier to detect the answer while reading instead of having to go back and search. Finally there is writing, this portion is optional and only some colleges require it. Writing is similar to writing an in-class essay, it is a descriptive answer to a question. By using voice in the writing, it allows the test scorers to see opinion and reasoning.

Techniques for test taking are important, but techniques for outside test taking are the true secret ingredient to acing the ACT. Each test is timed therefore it is recommended to bring a watch that does not beep. Doing this allows the test taker to pace themselves. Food and water is also allowed for eating and drinking on breaks, but a test taker may not eat and drink during the test. An apple or granola bar go a long way in helping the brain reenergize for the upcoming tests. Another thing a test taker will need is a calculator. In the math portions, a calculator will help finish difficult portions but make sure to check with the ACT website in order to bring the appropriate calculator.
By using these techniques it will make the process of completing the ACT a little less stressful. “Taking a deep breath and knowing it’s going to be okay is the most important mindset to have,” says Hancock after taking the ACT this past Saturday. This should hopefully help bring insight into the scary ACT and remind students that they are going in the right direction.