Conquering the ACT
Tips and Tricks
Alabama Initiates New Graduation Requirements
The ACT was given on April 23 to all juniors in the state of Alabama for the first time ever. Previously, high school students were required to pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam to receive their diploma. Teachers and students across the state are now addressing this new challenge. Here you will find some helpful tips and tricks, along with websites that contain practice tests and other materials.
Quick Facts
There are four sections on the test, with an optional fifth section. Alabama students will take all five sections. Included are tests on English, Math, Reading, and Science, with the fifth section on Writing. All five sections are timed and are given in the order listed.
English
- This section contains 75 questions based on five reading passages.
There is a 45-minute time limit. - Questions on the English test only have four answer choices.
- There are 40 usage/mechanics and 35 rhetorical skills questions.
- The English passages are short, and should be skimmed before reading the questions.
Math
- This section has 60 questions and has a one-hour time limit.
- All questions have five answer choices.
- The test covers Algebra I and II, Geometry, and some Trigonometry.
Reading
- There are forty questions, to be answered in 36 minutes.
- There are four answer choices for each question
- There will be four passages: Prose fiction, Social Science, Humanities, Natural Science
- There are ten questions per passage
- The passages always appear in this order but do not have to be read or answered in this order.
- Time management is critical on this test!
Science
- There are seven passages, each followed by questions. There is a time limit of 35 minutes to answer the 40 questions.
- There are three data representation passages followed by five questions each.
- There are three research summaries followed by six questions each.
- There is one conflicting viewpoints passage followed by seven questions.
Writing
- You will be given a prompt for an argumentative (not persuasive) essay on a topic relevant to high school students.
- Take up to 5 minutes to “digest” the prompt and decide which side of the issue you are going to take.
- Take up to 10 minutes to outline your essay, selecting relevant examples, anticipating “con” arguments, developing refutation for “con” arguments, and devising a strong conclusion.
General Preparedness Tips
Before the Test
Make sure you have everything you need: admission ticket, photo ID, sharpened pencils, allowable calculator, etc.
Avoid teenage drama the day before the test.
Go to bed early at least the last two nights before the test.
Avoid teenage drama the day before the test.
Go to bed early at least the last two nights before the test.
Test Day!
Get up early and get a shower/bath.
Do not skip breakfast or eat a breakfast high in simple carbohydrates (sugary pastries, for example). Eat a high protein/high fat breakfast (like a breakfast wrap with ham and eggs).
Wear comfortable clothes. Dress in layers you can add or remove!
Do not skip breakfast or eat a breakfast high in simple carbohydrates (sugary pastries, for example). Eat a high protein/high fat breakfast (like a breakfast wrap with ham and eggs).
Wear comfortable clothes. Dress in layers you can add or remove!
During the Test
RELAX! Do not get distracted by friends who are fidgeting or extraneous noises outside.
Stick with the plan you have made for yourself during practice tests.
Stick with the plan you have made for yourself during practice tests.
Test Taking Tips
- Make sure you bubble demographics correctly.
- Answer each question quickly, but accurately.
- Each part of the test is “divided” into sections on different skills. The first question on each skill is usually easier than the others.
- If you can’t answer a question quickly, mark it in your test booklet and come back to it at the end.
- Don’t get “rattled” if you have to skip questions. Keep cool and answer the ones you know.
- If you aren’t sure of an answer, try to eliminate one or more choices that you know are not correct.
- DO NOT waste time close-reading an entire passage before reading the questions. Skim the passage, then go to the questions.
- Unless the question asks for the “best” answer: When you see more than 1 correct choice, the answer MUST be a combination answer. (Both A and C, all of the above)
- If you don’t have the foggiest idea what the correct answer is, pre-determine a letter that you will use. Choose the same one all the way through the entire test.
- At the 5 minute warning, immediately stop and mark your pre-chosen answer for all remaining questions. Even a random guess has a 20% -25% chance to be correct. An unanswered question is 100% certain to be wrong. There is no penalty for guessing on the ACT.
- Then, return to working on those you haven’t yet tried to answer. If you finish, look back at those you were not sure of.
- DO NOT change any answer unless you are 100% sure you made a mistake. Your gut feeling on the first try is more likely to be correct.
Practice Makes Perfect!
Check in with these websites to learn even more:
Detailed Explanations of Each Section of the Test
Online Questions and Coaching
Printable Math Practice Tests
Detailed Explanations of Each Section of the Test
Online Questions and Coaching
Printable Math Practice Tests
How Can STI Help You?
If you need additional guidance, help with planning or on-site training, please contact us:
Email: sales@sti-k12.com
Website: sti-k12.com
Location: 739 N University Blvd, Mobile, AL, United States
Phone: 800-844-0884