Reviewing for the ACT is very important for several reasons – especially if you plan to attend a top undergraduate university. While the general knowledge you’ve learned in school is a great building base for the ACT test, it won’t help you when it comes down to preparing for the ACT exam format and the specific types of questions asked. Reviewing properly will help you to feel more comfortable on exam day and dramatically increases your chances of getting a good score.
ACT Study Guide
There are many different ACT study guides out there, so take the time to find the one that's right for you. The biggest names in ACT prep are Kaplan and the Princeton Review, and both offer books full of study suggestions and practice tests. Just be sure to get the ACT test book for the current exam year as the exams do change over time. You can also find ACT prep questions and ACT practice tests online at these company's websites for a fee.
These ACT study guides will help you become familiar with how the test is set up, what kinds of questions it asks, and what areas of study you'll need to be familiar with. Another very useful part of these ACT study guides is that most of them include at least one practice test – most include three or more. ACT practice tests will get you used to working within the time limit as well as help you get an idea of what areas you need to study more to improve your score.
ACT Prep Course
Of course, you don’t necessarily have to purchase one of the ACT review books to gain the necessary ACT help you need. In fact, you may be able to get help through your high school academic counselor. Some high schools offer after-school ACT prep courses or have ACT books and study guides available in the library. If you're interested in these resources, ask your teachers or school counselor what your school has to offer.
ACT Test Online Preparation
The internet is another great place to find ACT study guides. Some websites offer full study guides and practice tests for download – just be sure you understand what you're getting for your money. You may be able to download a practice test for free from some sites, but will need to pay for the answers. You can also find general subject study guides online, which can be helpful if you find that you need to do some extra studying in one subject like math or science.
While you can certainly take the ACT assessment without ever reading a study guide or doing any reviewing, you stand a much better chance of doing well on the test if you take your preparation seriously. There are many different types of review products on the market, so finding one that suits your individual needs and study style is easy. Just knowing what kind of questions you’ll be facing is a huge help, so take advantage of ACT review materials – when used correctly, they can only help increase your test scores.