The ACT is a college entrance exam that many colleges and universities in the United States use as part of the college admissions process. In the ACT, students are assessed in five core areas: English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing (optional). The validity of ACT scores is five years from the date of testing.

Colleges often use ACT scores for admissions. The reason for this is twofold. It shows how well you’ve prepared for college academically. Additionally, if you are admitted, your ACT score will be included in the college’s annual ACT statistics. What are the benefits of increasing your ACT score? Without a doubt. Are you able to improve your ACT score? Without a doubt. The ACT is made up of four sections. These include science, reading comprehension, math, and English.

Relaxation and calmness are essential during the test. Before test day, there are a few key points to keep in mind. On test day, you can use some helpful tips and strategies.

You should know the helpful tips:

  • Study the direction of each ACT section and get familiar with section directions before the test. On the test, day-use your time for the test, not for section directions.
  • Get familiar with the time and number of questions in each section.
  • Bring your watch or timer and set the time 5 minutes early before the end time to review all the answers.
  • Read all the questions of each section first and mark the easy questions.
  • Use the answer booklet if you are not sure of the correct answer. Mark the final answers in the bubble sheet.
  • Avoid leaving marks on the bubble sheets as the machine scores them. Usually, machines cannot distinguish between stray marks and correct answers.
  • Fill the grid-in answers correctly and neatly in the Math Grid-in section.
  • Use #2HB pencil to fill the bubble sheet.

How to fill the Bubble sheet:

  1. Mark the circles in the ID section. One circle per row.
  2. Mark the circles in the Name section (First, Middle, and last name)
  3. No points will be earned if the circle is marked half or some line.
  4. No point will be earned if multiple circles are marked in a row.
  5. Mark the circles with a #2HB pencil. 

Strategy to answer the questions:

  • Review all the questions first in each section. 
  • Mark the easy, difficult and unknown questions. 
  • In the ACT usually, easy questions are preceded by hard questions, answer all the easy questions first. 
  • Read the hard questions at least a couple of times to make sure you understand the question correctly.     
  • Manage your time while test-taking, spend a few moments on easy questions, and spend the rest time on hard questions.     
  • Eliminate the incorrect answers so you can narrow down the correct answer selection. 
  • All the questions will have only one correct answer.   
  • There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so Do NOT SKIP the questions and guess the correct answers.

Smart Strategy for ACT preparation downloads a free ACT e-Book. Grade your ACT practice test bubble sheet online to get a detailed Socrato diagnostic report.

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