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Last-minute cramming for the ACT?
One of the most common questions I get from my ACT prep students is “What should I do in the days leading up to the ACT?” In this article, I’ll offer some guidance as to how to make use of those last couple of days before you take the ACT.
First, let me dispel a common myth: last-minute cramming (especially when it comes at the expense of a good night’s sleep) will NOT significantly boost your score on the ACT, in and of itself. However, it’s wise to take a practice test, and warming up your brain by reading and writing and reviewing some rules and formulas will help you hold yourself accountable for those rules when you take the ACT.
Here are my top tips for last-minute cramming for the ACT!
1) Take a practice ACT and REVIEW YOUR MISTAKES
Don’t just go through the motions when you take a practice ACT. Do your best to simulate real test conditions. We offer practice tests at our Austin, Texas office every Saturday that do just that.
Don’t let your score give you a false sense of security and don’t let it destroy you. What matters when you take a practice ACT is that you practice–and that means reviewing your mistakes. Understand WHY you missed each and every question. If you’re not taking the time to review your mistakes on ACT practice tests, you’re doing yourself a serious disservice.
2) Review ACT English grammar rules
If you have a copy of The Complete Guide to ACT English, by Erica Meltzer, there’s a pretty useful ACT English Cheat Sheet in there. What’s most important when you review ACT English grammar rules is to remember the names of the error categories. I regularly take students to near-perfect and perfect scores by drilling the error categories and practicing each category one by one. “Shorter is better,” I remind them. “Dangling modifier,” I tell them. “Subject-verb agreement,” I remind them. If these phrases mean nothing to you, pick up a grammar book or book some tutoring lessons with me!
3) Review your ACT Math formula chart
Guess what? The ACT Math section does NOT provide a formula chart. Luckily, I’ve taken the time to compile an ACT Math formula chart for you! You might not need some of the more obscure formulas, but you had better memorize (and know when to apply) common formulas. Take a look at our ACT Math formula chart and feel free to make it your own!
4) Warm up your brain by reading and writing
It doesn’t have to be a novel, though Churchill was said to read a novel a night even at the height of the war. The morning of the ACT, why not read an article or two over coffee and a healthy breakfast? Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t feel like I’m fully myself–especially when it comes to articulating myself and reading critically–until I’ve warmed up my brain with some text. For bonus points, warm up your writing mind by writing the introductory paragraph of an imaginary ACT essay.
5) Do 2-3 warm-up problems from each section
There’s a reason people play a “warm-up” game, and there’s a reason that it’s often not their best game. Many students need to “get into the zone”–pay special attention to the first handful of questions in each section of the ACT.
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That’s it! Remember that last-minute cramming for the ACT is not a substitute for months and months of ACT prep. People love quick fixes, but to be honest, people who get perfect scores of 36 on the ACT know for a FACT that quick fixes don’t truly exist. (Well, once I had a student improve 6 whole points out of 36 after 8 lessons…but still! That’s nothing compared to my long-term record).
We’re here to help you get higher ACT scores, so contact us today for a free personalized consultation! Check out our online store for premium, exclusive products to help your ACT score. And, for more free tips, join our ACT mailing list. Talk again soon!