ACT preparation is a big part of junior year and getting ready for college. Many juniors at BSM have been preparing for the ACT with testing books, tutors, or study groups. Preparing for the ACT can be very challenging because students have to manage their time, stress, and other school work. However, many students think all the work is worth it in the long run.
There are lots of ways students may prepare for the ACT. Most students prepare for the ACT with a tutor through some type of company. They can ask all the questions they need or clear up anything confusing with a tutor. They also tend to take practice tests, to learn from the mistakes they may have made on their tests. They also will try to set dedicated time for studying for just the ACT. “I take practice tests every week and tutoring every week,” junior Lauren Carlson said.
A big thing students talk about is that the ACT prep can be very stressful and time-consuming. Students think that there is a lot of pressure to do well on the test, as it can help them get into their dream college. With sports, school work, social life, and all the obstacles life throws at you, it can be stressful to save time for the prep you need. Most students are very busy with extracurriculars and studying for tests at school, which can make it difficult to find time. Prepping for the ACT can be very time-consuming since there are lots of different topics on the test. “I try to find time to do everything and not let the stress overtake the rest of my life,” Carlson said.
There are many strategies that students use to get the preparation they need done. For example, some students tend to start to study for the test during the summer so they can get it out of the way. Most people are less busy during the summer, so they have the dedicated time they need to get it done. Many students say understanding the format can help them do better on the test since they’ll know the topics on the test. Students say to do the practice tests since they help you get more familiar with the format and type of questions on the test. They also think that it’s important to get a good meal and sleep before the day you take your test. “Actually take the time to do the problems and practice,” junior Siri Gunderson said.