General Tips and Strategies
1. There is no penalty for guessing, so ACT takers should fill in an answer for every question.
2. Know the directions and answer sheet ahead of time.
3. Read carefully and thoroughly. Avoid careless mistakes.
4. Answer easier questions first and harder questions later.
5. Check answer sheet regularly.
7. Develop a strategy for guessing.
2. Know the directions and answer sheet ahead of time.
3. Read carefully and thoroughly. Avoid careless mistakes.
4. Answer easier questions first and harder questions later.
5. Check answer sheet regularly.
7. Develop a strategy for guessing.
Test Day Tips
- Get plenty of rest the night before test day.
- Dress comfortably. Some test centers are warmer or cooler on weekends than during the week. Consider dressing in layers, so you'll be comfortable no matter what the room conditions are.
- Check your ticket for your test option—ACT (No Writing) or ACT Plus Writing—Reporting Time (normally 8:00 a.m.), and the reporting location of your test center.
- You must bring a printed copy of your ticket to the test center. You will not be admitted without it. In addition, your ticket contains Matching Information you must copy exactly onto your answer document or your scores will be delayed, possibly up to 8 weeks.
- If you're unsure where your test center is located, do a practice run to see how to get there and what time you'll need to leave to arrive by 8:00 a.m.
- If you arrive earlier than 7:45 a.m., you might have to wait outside until testing staff complete their arrangements.
- Make sure you have acceptable photo identification. You will not be admitted to test if your ID does not meet ACT’s requirements.
- Bring snacks or drinks to consume outside the test room only during the break.
- Be ready to begin testing after everyone has been checked in and seated.
Tips for Using a Calculator during the ACT Math Test
- Review the latest information on permitted and prohibited calculators.
- You are not required to use a calculator. All the problems can be solved without a calculator.
- If you regularly use a calculator in your mathematics work, use one you're familiar with when you take the Mathematics Test. Using a more powerful, but unfamiliar, calculator is not likely to give you an advantage over using the kind you normally use.