How to Study for the ACT and Practice Tests

Below, I will show you my tried and true method for how to study for the ACT. The ACT is one of the hardest tests to study for because it is a test on, well, everything. However, I believe I and many others who have used this method have cracked the code to a 36 (or close).

Step One: Take a practice test.

Yes, you read this correctly. This is the most annoying part about beginning to study. I want you to sit down for three hours and take the test in the time constraints of the test.

Step Two: Score your test.

Pay attention to what you get wrong. Mark every problem you get wrong, jot down quickly why you got it wrong, and start a list of all the topics you get wrong. For example, if you get #6 wrong, and #6 has to do with logarithms, write logarithms at the top of your new list. Do this for every test, especially math. After you are done, look at the topics you are getting wrong the most. Pick the top 2-3 topics you need to work on from each test.

Step Three: Take one or two days for each section.

Allot time to review those 2-3 topics that you are continually getting wrong. Watch videos, review notes, and try to practice problems about those topics. Teach them to yourself so that you now understand why you are missing them and how to do them in the future.

Step Four: Retake a practice test.

Take a new practice test, employing the new knowledge that you have learned about the topics you struggled with before. If you are missing the same things over and over, start a new list. Repeat steps two-four until you get the score you want.

Practice Tests and Answer Keys:

Form BO4: https://www.3rprep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/April-2019-B04.pdf

Answer Key: https://www.prepsharp.com/act-b04/

Form BO5: https://www.3rprep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Dec-2018-B05.pdf

Answer Key: https://www.prepsharp.com/act-b05/

Form A10: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=Zm9sc29tbWVkaWNhbHN1cHBseS5jb218d3d3fGd4OjMzZTcxMjE0OGY4MDMwN2U

Answer Key: https://www.prepsharp.com/act-a10/

Form A11: http://www.myclassconnection.com/wp-content/uploads//2016/04/ACT-2018-06-June-A11.pdf

Answer Key: https://www.prepsharp.com/act-a11/

Form DO3: https://www.docdroid.net/GZwhyfd/2020-december-act-form-d03-pdf

Answer Key: https://www.prepsharp.com/act-d03/