ACT Preparation and Study Plans

Article Type: Checklist

As Aaron Burr said, "Never put off for tomorrow, what you can start studying for today." Fun fact: Aaron Burr actually used Shmoop's Duel Prep Guide. We, uh, took that one down on July 12, 1804.

No matter what Aaron Burr said, don't let the ACT® sneak up on you. Shmoop has convenient ACT 90-, 60-, and 30-day study plans to get you started.

90-Day Plan

90 days means more time to let the information soak in, more time to work on any weak spots in your repertoire, and more time to catch up on your Netflix queue. Plus, thirty more days of Shmooping if we're your study buddy.

Start your Shmoop odyssey (Shmoodyssey?) by taking our diagnostic exam, or a practice exam. Or you can access a sample practice exam directly from the ACT. This should give you a good sense of where you stand with the ACT.

Pro-tip: When you actually take the ACT, sit.

Now you have a solid 12 weeks of study time before Testmas day. Lucky you. You can divide that vast expanse of time into four easy-to-chew three-week blocks. Here's how you're going to properly masticate each block.

• Run five English Test drills and two Reading Test drills. Shmoop has plenty of drills for you to practice on. The ACT offers free some sample passages for the Reading Test and for the English Test, both of which you can use to drill yourself. Switch up the topics as you go: No sense doing both humanities passages on the first day. What will you have to look forward to in week 10?
• Sample drills from different topics in Math. Again, Shmoop's got plenty of these drills in its ACT Test Prep, but you can also work on the ACT's website. You'll want to take eight or nine math drills during each three-week block. This is another case where mix-n-match is in your best interest. Taking all the number and quantity drills at once and leaving the geometry for later is like having your pasta and your sauce in separate bowls.
• Work through two or three of the Science Test drills (or passages, if you're using ACT's samples; the same rules apply re: mixing it up.
• If you're taking the Writing Test, respond to one of the writing drills during each of the first three blocks. Save that extra time during the last block: you'll need it. You should also drop by the Shmoop ACT Essay Lab every other week to brush up on those essayistic skills—once a week, if you feel like you need extra help.
• Do your inner grammar nerd a favor (yes, everyone has one) and spend some time in our shiny new grammar section. This will help prepare you for the English Test, and, if you're taking the Writing Test, will give you an extra edge when it comes time to write the best essay you can.
• Stop by Math Shack every week for targeted practice based on the results of your practice exam.

At the end of each three-week block, take a practice exam, and reward yourself for your (hopefully) growing score by doing something fun, like preparing for the robot apocalypse.

Start your last three-week block with a practice exam, you know, for extra practice, and aim to take the last practice exam a few days before the Real Thing. You'll be so prepared that even the Arctic doomsday vault will be jealous.

60-Day Plan

Don't have three months to spend studying? Perhaps Shmoop can interest you in a 60-day plan. 60 is a great number of days. Why, in 60 days you...couldn't build Rome 60 times.

The 60-day recipe is the same as the 90-day, just a little leaner and meaner. Instead of 4 three-week blocks, work in 4 two-week blocks. It's the same thing, just in a smaller package. Think of it as fun-sizing your study schedule.

30-Day Plan

Okay, maybe you spent 60 days knitting a scarf for your pet giraffe. Maybe you work better under pressure. Maybe your middle name is Danger.

Whatever the case, if you only have 30 days to study, it'll be hectic, but in the end you'll still be better prepared for the ACT. That's a good thing, because it's a true fact that if you ace the ACT, you get three wishes from the Scantron Genie*.

• Take a practice exam or our diagnostic exam first. Yup, eat your dessert now and save the salad for later. You'll get a solid idea of where you're already performing well, and that's important knowledge to start with when you're doing the 30-day plan.
• Work on drills for those areas where you fell short, where you need a refresher, or where you still feel uncertain.
• Spend some time in Math Shack, and brush up on those mathletic events where you're weak.
• If you're taking the Writing Test, take one of the Writing drills as soon as possible. Then spend some time in the ACT Essay Lab before trying a second drill.
• Two weeks before the test, take a practice exam. Hopefully, you're improving already. Look for areas where you haven't improved over your diagnostic exam, or where you'd like to improve more. Re-work those areas, hit the drills for those topics, and watch as many Shmoop videos as you can.
• Now it's time to hone your strengths. Go back and work the areas you skipped over before. Test yourself by answering sample questions, and try drills on any topics where you had trouble answering those sample questions.
• One week to go, baby. In this last week, aim for two practice exams. Try to take one at the start of the week so you can review as much as possible. And, of course, drill. Take the second a day or two before the actual test. Getting comfortable with the format and process of taking the test helps, and it never hurts to have more practice.

Now that's a sprint. If Alexander Hamilton could have moved that fast, all of Aaron Burr's studying might not have paid off.

*Absolutely not a true fact.

Last Minute Two-Week Cram Session for the ACT

We get it. Between writing a five-page report on the symbolism in To Kill a Mockingbird, studying for the math test that counts for 15% of your grade, preparing your speech for the Debate Team, and working your side hustle as an Instagram influencer, you're busy. Sometimes studying for the ACT can get pushed to the back burner. Welcome to our judgment-free zone.

With just two weeks left until test day, it might seem like there's no point in studying, but that's not the case. Stop stressing that you're fashionably late to the party and focus on the fact you showed up at all. You can do this. Here's the game plan:

1. Take a timed practice test. We know it sounds weird to take a practice test before you even start studying, but with two weeks to go, the best strategy is to focus on your weakest areas. Do this as soon as humanly possible. We'd even understand if you wanted to bookmark this post and go take a practice test right now.

   Note: While the best strategy would be to take the entire timed practice test all the way through, we realize you're in a bit of a time crunch and may not be able to set aside 2.5 hours for that. In that case, you could always time yourself by section (45 minutes for English, one hour for Math, 35 minutes a piece for Reading and Science). However, just be aware that your projected score probably won't be quite as accurate if you break your practice test up that way.

   Once you've completed the test, identify where your weak areas are. Maybe you totally nailed the Reading Test but didn't do so hot on the Science portion. Maybe your weaknesses are more specific; you're great with geometry questions on the Math test but struggle with algebra. Whatever the case may be, knowing your weaknesses is the key to finding your strength. We're sure some famous philosopher said that. A hard turn between opposites and a statement on human potential feels super Hume-y to us.

2. Drills, baby, drills. Find drills that target your weak points, and practice those drills for the next few days. Even if you don't strike oil—a.k.a. notice an improvement in your scores—don't be discouraged. Instead, determine exactly what's going wrong. Are you reading the questions too fast, or do you need a refresher on subject-pronoun agreement? These drills should help you learn which skills and question types you need to study.

3. STUDY. Familiarize yourself with the various question types on each section of the ACT. Pay specific attention to the questions and skills you missed or weren't sure about on the practice test. If you're struggling to remember formulas for the ACT Math test, make some good-old fashioned flash cards and go over them in whatever spare time you can manufacture, even if it's while you're eating your mystery meat sandwich in the cafeteria.

   Shameless plug: Shmoop's ACT guide covers every skill and question type you'll need to know for this exam, hopefully in a more fun, understandable way than your run-of-the-mill test prep.

4. Run some sprints—not the physical kind, unless you think the endorphin rush might pump you up before test day. Take some section-specific practice tests in your weakest areas, and be sure to set a timer so you have the most accurate idea of what the real exam will be like. With any luck, your scores will have improved, but if they haven't, don't be discouraged! Instead, figure out which questions are still giving you trouble and reacquaint yourself with those skills.

5. Get a good night's sleep. Do not—we repeat, do not—pull an all-nighter the night before you're taking the ACT. Your brain needs to be firing on all synapses for this exam, so stumbling into the test room half-asleep is not going to help you. Trust that you've done as much as you can to prepare given the time crunch and get some zzz's.

Cramming all your studying into a two-week time frame may not be ideal, but by following this targeted plan, you'll be able to walk into your testing center with the confidence of an ACT superstar. 

Taking the ACT (Game Day)

It's finally time to show that test who's in charge. You've worked hard in all of your classes. You've put in the time to prep smartly by using Shmoop's guide (definitely). You've even done a little bit of last-minute practice.

You're good to go.

Now all that's left is to do the right things on game day to make sure that you maximize your potential and get the score you deserve.

When do I need to show up?

Check out your admission ticket for the testing start time. Generally speaking, 8:00 a.m. is when the test starts and the doors may close to latecomers, so plan to arrive at 7:45 am. You cannot be admitted once testing has started. If you’re late or absent on test day, you can reschedule. We recommend rescheduling as opposed to re-registering—it will cost less. Find out more at the ACT's Registration Changes page.

If you show up late, there is some chance that a forgiving and benevolent proctor will let you in if testing has not yet begun. But the test center also has the right to refuse you admission if you aren't there before 8 a.m., and there's no predicting what your test center will allow.

What do I need to bring to the ACT?

Your admission ticket — it’s that thing you were supposed to print after you registered for the test. If you lost it, don’t worry; you can log in to your account and print another one before the test. Definitely DO print it—electronic versions won't work, since you can't bring electronics with you to the test.

A photo ID — Preferably a driver's license, an up-to-date passport, or your school ID…that is, if your school ID is made of plastic. Copies of your ID won't be accepted. We hate to be redundant, but you must have a photo of yourself on your photo ID. If you don't have one of the above, the ACT has a process for you, but you'll have to bring a picture of yourself to a school official or notary and get them to sign this form beforehand.

A calculator — Opt for a basic 4-function scientific or graphing calculator, although note that many specific calculators aren't allowed. Check out the ACT's Calculator Policy to make sure your model isn’t prohibited. And don't forget to make sure the batteries in your calculator are fresh.

No. 2 pencils — Bring at least two of those No. 2s, and make sure those erasers are fresh. You can also bring an additional eraser and a handheld pencil sharpener.

A silent, dumb watch (optional) –You can get an analog (non-digital) watch with a moveable bezel for under $20 on Amazon. By moving the bezel around, you can reset the timer. Something like this one will do the trick. Definitely don't bring your smart watch.

A snack and bottled water (optional) – Technically no food or drink is allowed in the test room, but at the same time, the ACT encourages you to bring snacks or drinks to consume outside of the test room during the break. (And this is the authoritative gateway to all things college admissions? An organization that hasn't even mastered basic object permanence skills?) We're not sure what you're expected to do with the food and drink during the exam, but you should bring something that you wouldn't be upset about losing if you had to stash it in a random corner outside the test room.

DON'T Bring:

• Cell Phones: Yes, your iPhone really could come in handy on a test. No, you can't bring it inside. Yes, we know that it makes you feel naked to go without your phone, even for two or three hours. You're just going to have to deal with it.
• Fancy Watches: Not "fancy" as in blinged out. "Fancy" as in, watches that beep, make other noises, have an alarm, connect to the internet, etc. 
• MP3 Players, Radios, etc: After you rock "Eye of the Tiger" during your pregame routine, leave your iPod in you car or your locker.  
• Highlighters or colored pencils: We don't totally get this one, to be honest. But we don't make the rules, do we? 
• Laptop Computers or PDAs: For obvious reasons. One important exception: if you have a disability that requires you to use a computer to take a test, and you've made arrangements for approval beforehand, you may bring your computer.
• Cameras: Again, for obvious reasons.
• Books, Dictionaries, Scratch Paper, Notes, Cheat Sheets: No duh.
• Compasses, rulers, protractors, etc: Why would you want to make the math section more complicated? Believe us, you can answer all of the math questions without any of these helpers.

How do I prepare for test day?

First thing's first. Make sure to set an alarm clock. Or two. Or three. Whatever time your test is offered, you don't want to oversleep and end up rushing around in a panic.

Once you're awake, try to stick to your normal morning routine. If you usually eat a big breakfast, eat a big breakfast and drink some water; you don't want to feel like you're starving halfway through the test.

If you usually don't eat a big breakfast, don't eat a big breakfast; you don't want to find yourself going into food coma just as you hit the essay section.

Basically, you've been training your body and mind to follow a certain morning routine for years, and you'll only throw yourself off if you do something radically different on game day.

(Of course, if your normal morning routine involves sleeping through first period and then walking around like a zombie until lunchtime…well, you might want to switch things up a bit.)

Next up: know where you're going. Your own high school might be hosting the test, but it's likely that you'll have to show up somewhere else to take the test. If you're going somewhere new, make sure you know where you need to be and how to get there. This isn't a great time to get lost!

Try to show up a little bit early. Give yourself time to get settled, use the bathroom, get a drink of water, etc.

And finally, in the last minutes before the test starts, get yourself in the zone. If you're the kind of person who performs best when cool and collected, take a moment to meditate or clear your head. If you're the kind of person who performs best when a little bit more amped up, maybe throw your favorite hype song on your iPod. (Presuming you're not a boxer, will there ever really be another moment when "Eye of the Tiger" would be more appropriate as your theme song than right now?)

Whatever your style may be, take a minute to get yourself in the right frame of mind. Then take a deep breath, walk into the exam, and knock it out the box.

The Night before the ACT

As far as we're concerned, game day really starts the night before the test. At this point, the one single thing you can do to maximize your score is to make sure you walk into that exam room feeling fresh and well-rested.

So what should you do the night before the test to make sure you're feeling good when morning rolls around?

Pack your bag, prep your clothes for the night before the exam.

Get your lucky t-shirt out and ready to wear the night before, and pack a bag with your printed admission ticket, calculator, pencils, keys, and photo ID the night before. That way you won't be scrambling to find that one thing you definitely can't leave without before the exam. It's not worth the stress on exam day; the test will be stressful enough.

Don't study.

Seriously. By now, you know what you know. Feverish last-minute cramming is more likely to stress you out or make you tired than it is to help you learn that one critical piece of information you'll need to answer a question tomorrow morning.

So log out of Shmoop, shut down your laptop, and keep your textbook in your bag.

Go do something you enjoy doing. Take a bubble bath. Cuddle with your dog or cat. Go for a walk. Play some basketball. Whatever it is that makes you smile and relax, that's what you should be doing. We advise avoiding anything involving screens—screen time is known to keep people up past bedtime.

It's also probably not a good idea to go out to some kind of raging late-night party, of course, but definitely make a point to do something fun.

Sleep.

A full night's rest will be like money in the bank come morning.

The Aftermath

Assuming you don't try to smuggle a typewriter or other contraband into the exam room, you should be all set for a smooth test-taking experience. As the test unfolds, just keep one eye on the clock and take every opportunity to show off how much you know. You're going to do great.

And when the test is over, don't forget to celebrate. You just rocked a tough exam. You might be well on your way to being accepted to the college of your choice. You proved how smart you really are.

Go out to party with friends, or buy yourself an ice cream cone, or just curl up and take a nap on the couch.

You deserve it.

ACT is a federally registered trademark of ACT, Inc. Shmoop University is not affiliated with or endorsed by ACT, Inc.

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