suggestions for doing well/ being prepared on ACT test?

[Grumpy's Gal]

OK parents -- I'm looking for suggestions on helping to prep a child for the ACT test. We have lots of time..........did you buy a book and take practice tests so he'd know what to expect? or what? All suggestions welcome!

 

[snoopybabe]

I went to the library and the book came with a cd. DD used it a few times & did pretty well (32) She liked the ACT much better than the SAT because the ACT has sciece on it too. She also said the questions were worded better.

 

[HeatherH]

ACT requires much less "test prep" than the SAT. The ACT is not a "tricky" test, it just tests actual knowledge. There are no penalties for wrong answers.

I think the best idea is just to download some of the information and test prep info from the ACT site. You honestly don't need to buy a book, although they are going to try and sell you one. Is your child one that does well normally on standardized testing? If so, just being familiar with how the test works is the biggest hurdle. If they are comfortable with testing, have good knowledge in all courses, and understand the ACT process, they should do fine.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

when you take the ACT test, is it in paper with a pencil or on a computer?

Back in my day.........ha ha........it was on paper.

 

[HeatherH]

All college entrance exams are done with pencil and paper on Scantron tests.

Really, go to the ACT test site, it has tons of good info for you.

http://www.actstudent.org/

 

[princess.chell]

My tips:
1) Prepare for it. In all honesty, my prep course helped me a lot. It gave me strategies for how to take each section (not reading the data in the science portion but going straight to the questions then finding the answers, top 20 math equations to know, etc). I'm not sure if it was in the book, as I never read the beginning part, but the practice tests also helped me get my timing down as well as be come comfortable with the test.
2) Don't stress out about. It's hard not to but if you go into the test with a "no worries I have other chances to take this test attitude" you'll do so much better. Because you do, you can take it as much as you want (even thought studies have shown any more than 3 times and your score won't change).
This is what I did and scored a 33 and a 34 on my ACTs. If it weren't for Illinois mandatory ACT for juniors as part of state testing I would have only taken it once.

Good Luck!

 

[golfgal]

The ACT site has an online prep area that costs $20 for a full year's use. It is very helpful and has test taking tips and practice tests. We had DS17 do that vs the $2000 test prep class(actually our district has one that is only $150).

 

[Sparx]

I never did any prep for mine, but I do have to say that if your child tends to work better in smaller groups, pay the extra for the "writing" portion of the test. Its an easy essay, and I was usually just one of three or four when I took writing. I also finished MUCH faster than the allotted time, since my group didn't have to wait for everyone to finish.

I used a TI 89 calculator, and it was very helpful on the math portion.

I took the ACT three times I think, so she shouldn't stress out. She can take it again.

Also, register online. You get your scores back faster than via mail, and there is MUCH less paperwork.

I was always told to take the act after the student has taken geometry, so you might want to take that into account.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

OK parents -- I'm looking for suggestions on helping to prep a child for the ACT test. We have lots of time..........did you buy a book and take practice tests so he'd know what to expect? or what? All suggestions welcome!

Certainly do a few prep tests to get the jitters out and learn pacing.

Above all do not leave a question blank as there are no penalities for wrong answers.

Does your child know the colleges they want to go to? If so, find out the score they need.