The Only ACT Advice You'll Ever Need by Josephine Walk

April 2nd is quickly approaching. For most Tech students, it will be a Tuesday like any other. For those taking the ACT for the first or second or forty-third time, it will be the culmination of weeks of fear and years of forgotten geometry theorems and grammar rules.

Though I find myself in the bliss of knowing the good old ACT days are over, they are all too fresh in my mind. As a self-proclaimed standardized testing advice guru, I am here to debunk and confirm the truths and no-so-truths surrounding both the test itself and preparation for it. Enjoy!

It’s important. No, standardized tests aren’t everything, but they can be a great leg up in the college admissions process.

It’s not worth my time. Maybe not. If you’re not planning on going to college, especially not.

It’s too much pressure. At times it’s too much, but a slight shift in mindset makes the biggest difference.

I shouldn’t prepare for it. It is alright to choose not to, but remember that many of the people you are competing against will prepare. The absolute best way to prepare is to take a full practice test- such as the ones being offered at Tech by Ms. Backlund!- to get to know both the pacing and content of the test.

I don’t know anything. You may have a weaker subject or two, or you may be equally confident in English, math, reading, and science. Whatever the case, putting a little time into a practice test or diagnostic test will aid you in finding subjects that have slipped your mind- or that you need to learn for the first time.

The test is long. Yes, the ACT tests stamina. During the test, make sure to take advantage of snack and bathroom breaks, as they are the key to a bearable few hours of bubble filling.

The test is boring. Here’s the tip you won’t find anywhere else: make the test fun. If you need a break, doodle in the margin. If something reminds you of an inside joke, write it down. Be reluctant to hand your test booklet back because you’ve become so attached to it!

I won’t want to look at my score. There’s not much getting around it. Use practice tests to estimate your score for (hopefully) less letdown the day those scary emails come out. YOUR SCORE IS AVAILABLE!

My score will be bad. I want to be able to guarantee it won’t be. But disappointment is real. You can always take the test again. Prepare more. Find colleges that have test-optional application processes. Or, as a last resort, lower your expectations.

I’ll have to take the ACT so many times. Some people do, and you absolutely can. As I see it though, it’s better to put some time into preparation than to have to pay for another test and endure a few more months of stress.