Preparing for the ACT

On April 10, 2010, I woke myself up at 6:30 a.m. It was a beautiful Saturday morning and all was quiet except for the birds chirping in the tree outside my window. Instead of cuddling with my quilt or going for a run however, I got to take the American College Test (ACT) like thousands of other high school juniors around the country.

When I arrived at Centennial High School at 7:30 a.m., a few students were milling about on the stairs inside. A steady flow of adolescents continued to flood inside the building as the clock drew closer to our 8:00 a.m. start time. Finally, the test site director separated the small herd of students into two groups: Writing and No Writing.

The ACT is broken down into four required test sections: English, Math, Reading and Science. There is an option though, to take a Writing examination after you have completed the first four tests. I, along with many others, opted to take the Writing portion. Many ACT test prep classes advise against taking the Writing test because most colleges don’t use it when considering your application and it doesn’t affect your composite score. However, if you want to see how your writing skills fit on the ACT grading scale, this might be an option you should take.

Once everyone was in their assigned room, proctors read the directions and the test began. The sound of pencils bubbling in tiny circles and a feeling of stress and determination palpitated the air.

After completing the English and Math tests, we were allowed a ten-minute break to use the restroom and mingle in the hallway. When we returned to our rooms, it was time for Reading and Science. Once done with those tests, we stood up and stretched and then the Writing prompts were handed out. We had thirty minutes to compose an essay that fully answered the prompt while showcasing our best writing abilities.

Finally, it was over. We all filed out into the sunshine, our bellies rumbling and minds exhausted. It wasn’t horrible like some people say: nobody fainted or threw up and the test went just like the ACT website said to expect.

Here’s the thing though: I get to take the ACT again, and so do you (if you’re a Junior at Urbana High School)! On April 27 (date check!), as a part of the Prairie State Examination, all of the UHS Juniors will be taking the ACT with Writing.

To help you prepare for the test, check out The Echo’s very own ACT Prep Package for helpful tips from UHS teachers, counselors and students.

1. Study. Just a Bit.

While the ACT is a test designed to cover the information you’ve learned so far in high school, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to brush up on areas you may be shaky with. For example, if you don’t remember the formulas you learned back in Algebra and Algebra 2, review them to help you out on the Math portion. Or if you aren’t a fast reader, practice by timing yourself while you read an article similar to one you might find on the ACT.

UHS Counselor Ray Miner suggests purchasing or borrowing from the library one of the ACT prep books. “Some of the new ACT books have cds for the computer that are interactive for studying,” Miner said. “They also have practice tests with the correct answers, so you can take them and see a projection of what you’ll probably get on the ACT.”

Echo Pick: The Real ACT Prep Guide, from $15.00 at Amazon.com

2. Pay Attention in Class

Many classes at UHS have ACT prep material as part of the class curriculum. In Mark Freedman’s AP Prep English classes, students practice taking the Reading portion of the ACT by using past articles used on the test. “What we are trying to do is prepare the students for the test as much as possible,” Freedman said. “We teach them test strategies, language arts skills, and see their progress by giving practice tests with time constraints to recreate the real test environment as much as possible.”

In a way, UHS is giving you a free ACT prep class through the curriculum: take advantage and listen up!

3. Calm your Nerves

Junior Anna Freyfogle will be taking the ACT at UHS in April, and she’s feeling a bit of stress. “I’m a little nervous because there’s a lot of pressure around the test because people say your score is the deciding factor of getting into college,” Freyfogle said.

If you share Anna’s concerns, don’t worry. While the ACT is very important, if you aren’t pleased with your score you can always take it again Miner says.

It’s also important to put the ACT into perspective: yes, it does affect your college choices, but it doesn’t make you a better or worse person. “Your ACT score is just one part of who you are,” UHS Math teacher David Dutton says. “Plenty of great people have gone on to contribute to society who scored low or didn’t even take the ACT at all.”

In the end, the ACT is a necessary step to getting into college. Not everyone will get a thirty-six though…and that’s okay. Try your best, give some time to preparation, and you’ll be just fine.

Have you taken ACT yet? What do you think of Mandy’s advice? What would you add? Comment below!