ACT Practice Tests That Work: Why Bubble Sheet Drills Still Matter for the Enhanced ACT

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With the Enhanced ACT 2025, students now have the choice of taking the exam online or on paper. This change has sparked a big question: How should students practice?

The truth is clear: paper practice tests remain the best way to prepare—even if you plan to take the ACT online. Here’s why students, tutors, and experts still lean heavily on bubble sheet drills, and how Socrato takes them to the next level.

Why Students and Tutors Still Prefer Paper Practice Tests

  • ACT itself releases official paper practice tests. These are real tests, making them the most authentic prep materials available.
  • There aren’t many online practice tests yet. The Enhanced ACT is new, and digital practice resources are limited. Paper practice tests give students a far bigger library of material to work with.
  • Paper practice works for both modes. Since the ACT’s content, structure, and timing are the same online and on paper, prepping with bubble sheets prepares students for either version.

Tutors especially appreciate this, since they can use paper tests in lessons and still know students are building skills that transfer seamlessly to the online ACT.

The Power of Bubble Sheet Drills

Practicing with paper tests and bubble sheets may feel “old school,” but it trains essential skills that directly boost scores:

  • Pacing accuracy: Filling in answers on a bubble sheet adds real-world timing pressure that online practice often ignores.
  • Endurance training: The ACT is nearly 3 hours long with the Science option—bubble sheet drills build the stamina students need for test day.
  • Error reduction: Regular practice reduces mistakes like misaligning answers or skipping rows.
  • Confidence building: Familiarity with the traditional format lowers test-day anxiety, even if students ultimately test online.

Beyond Scoring: Smarter Insights with Diagnostic Reports

The biggest drawback of old-fashioned paper practice? Waiting for results and not knowing why you missed certain questions.

That’s where Socrato makes a difference. Students can:

  • Upload their bubble sheet answers.
  • Receive instant scoring and detailed diagnostics.
  • See strengths, weaknesses, and timing breakdowns by subject and category.

This diagnostic report transforms practice from “just another test” into a personalized roadmap for improvement. Students don’t just see their score—they understand how to raise it.

Best of Both Worlds: Authentic Practice + Digital Analytics

The combination of official ACT paper practice tests and Socrato’s digital reporting platform gives students and tutors the ultimate advantage:

  • Practice with real ACT materials.
  • Build endurance and timing skills with bubble sheets.
  • Get detailed analytics to target weak spots and improve faster.

This blended approach works whether a student chooses the paper ACT or the online ACT on test day.

Final Thoughts

The ACT may be evolving, but one thing hasn’t changed: authentic practice matters most. Since official paper tests are plentiful and online ones are limited, preparing with bubble sheets is the smartest strategy. Add in Socrato’s diagnostic reports, and students get the best of both worlds—real test practice plus actionable insights.