Are you prepping for the ACT and wondering how to utilize the next 6 weeks to get the best score possible?
We created a 6-week plan so you can ace your ACT! For our plan, we recommend you budget between 4 to 8 hours to studying each week.
Week One
Before you begin, you should watch some general overview videos on the ACT to get your head in the game. It’s important to understand how the test works. We have some videos on the ACT that will help (you can check them out on our YouTube channel!)
Then, you should take a diagnostic test to see your baseline score. We have a couple of real ACT practice tests available on our website here. After you finished, make sure to score it!
Week Two
Review the diagnostic test you took last week and start pinpointing your weaknesses so you can make a targeted study plan. Go over questions you got wrong, any question you didn’t answer, and any question you thought was difficult/took you a long time to answer.
In the English and Math sections, the questions are content orientated, meaning that if you got a question wrong, it is because you didn’t know/understand the material. Your job is to uncover what topics you are unfamiliar with.
For the Reading and Science sections, the questions are more strategy-oriented. This means you will have to think hard to figure out why you struggled with certain questions. Is your timing off? Did you guess instead of looking for the answer in the text?
If you are taking the essay, review ACT sample essays, and compare them. What did you not do in your essay that the ACT sample essay did? For sample ACT essay prompts, check out our blog.
Additionally, you should review some ACT tip videos on sections you are struggling with. For example, if math is your hardest section, watch some ACT math hack videos.
Then, continue reviewing content for the Math and English sections and practicing portions of the Reading and Science sections.
Week Three
Before you begin, this is the week to program your calculator (if you don’t know how to do this, we have a video explaining how-to here).
Take another practice test. For the English and Math section, time it but if you don’t finish in the allotted time, keep going until you answer every question. For the Reading and Science question, do them untimed but keep track of how long it takes you to complete each section.
Then, review your test and every question you got wrong just like you did in week two.
Week Four
This is pacing week! This means you also need to get a test- approved watch and start using it when you take your practice tests.
This week, take another practice test and use your watch. Time your English and Math section and try to stick to the time allotted. For Reading and Science, you can do it untimed but keep track of how much time you are using.
Then, review and update your personal study list.
Week Five
If you haven’t worked on your essay this past month, now is the week to buckle down and do so!
Also, take another practice test (we know, it’s a lot of practice tests. But this is how you improve)! Be strict on timing; no more using extra time. Additionally, take this test in real testing conditions (use a bubble sheet and a number two pencil and wear PPE if you are taking the test in COVID-19 times).
Then, grade and review.
Week Six
You’re in the home stretch! This is the week to drill content areas you still need to work on and practice pacing on the Reading and Science sections. There should be no more guessing on any question. Also, this is the week to practice strategies to maximize your score on the ACT. If you are taking too long on a question, try skipping it and coming back to it if you have time. Allot only a certain number of minutes to each passage.
Then, you are reading to ace your ACT!
