How to Take an ACT Practice Test: 8 Practical Steps to Guide You

What makes taking an ACT practice test exhausting is that it is a long exam and it is fast-paced. Teachers in fact say that taking the SAT is like a marathon while taking the ACT is like a sprint. Both endeavors have their stringency in several ways, but there usually is no running away from either of these college admission tests.

A high score in the ACT will have you studying in the college of your choice. It can bring in funds for your education, too. That’s why you have to carry out all means to go through effective test prepping, one of which is taking an ACT practice test. Here are 8 steps to guide you about it.

• Download and print a copy of the practice test. You ought to note that you should have a hard copy of the ACT practice test that you’re going to take. It should be pointed out that the real ACT test is a pencil and paper test. Optimizing your ACT test prep therefore means that you should create similar conditions (as much as possible) as the real testing day.
• Allocate at least 4.5 hours for you to take the practice test. The ACT takes approximately 4 hours to finish, but it is a smart move to give yourself a half an hour of buffer time at the end of your practice testing. You can’t actually head to soccer practice right after doing your practice test, nor think of an appointment with your dentist right after doing so. It just wouldn’t be helpful for your score. It makes sense to give yourself some time to decompress after taking your ACT practice test.
• Think of your ACT practice testing as actually taking the real test. The principle that applies in this case is akin to doing a dress rehearsal and carrying out a dry run prior to your actual performance. An ACT practice testing done well will bring numerous benefits, such as easing your anxieties and jitters come the real test day. Do everything that you can, and ask for the help of your family members, to simulate the real ACT experience while taking the practice test.
• Break your ACT practice testing into several segments. You should be able to accomplish your mock testing in 1 sitting, but don’t forget to follow the designated break times. During the real ACT test day, students are allowed to take breaks for 10 minutes in between sections 2 and 3, and for 5 minutes at the end of section 4. During the breaks, you can walk around to cool yourself down, eat some snacks to replenish your energy, or drink water to keep yourself hydrated.
• Accomplish the optional ACT Writing test. Although it says that the ACT Writing test is optional, you may have no choice but to go through with it if your chosen college requires you to have an ACT Writing test score. It will do you more good than harm if you take this optional test especially as it would hone your essay writing aptitude, which is quite a critical skill.
• Grade your ACT mock exam after taking a break. While your parents may like to do this job, it is advisable that you score out your own ACT practice test. It will give you a sense of ownership for this particular endeavor and allow you to learn about the patterns of the ACT test. After your practice testing, give yourself about 30 minutes to 1 hour of break to stretch your legs or clear your head before grading your exam.
• Be aware of where you stand. You ought to render sufficient time for your ACT prep, and choose the most appropriate one at that. Get a sense of how your score stands in comparison to the average scores of students taking the same test. Thus, before judging your practice test score, check the median score of 3 to 4 colleges that you want to study in.
• Decide on what your next steps will be. A good score will have you gaining admission to the college of your choice, but your goal score should be slightly higher than what your target college requires. If your ACT practice test score is at par with the requirement of your favorite college, you can take the next step which is to register for the exam. Otherwise, if you failed, you can enroll in an ACT test prep program. Preparing well for your ACT can bring a lot of perks for your coming academic plans and undertakings.