How To Score 30+ On The ACT: 8 Week Study Plan

Summary

In this video, Matt provides an 8-week study plan for preparing for the ACT, offering practical advice on how to allocate 4-5 hours per week for effective study. He shares insights on important resources like practice tests, books, and online tutorials. The plan covers key areas including English grammar, math formulas, reading, science, and test-taking strategies. Matt, a seasoned tutor with a history of helping students achieve top ACT scores, outlines a week-by-week guide to improve each section of the exam, with a focus on reviewing past tests to refine skills and strategies for optimal results.

Takeaways

• 😀 Takeaway 1: Start your ACT prep by taking a full-length practice test to diagnose your strengths and weaknesses.
• 😀 Takeaway 2: Set aside 4-5 hours per week for consistent, focused ACT prep, covering English, Math, Reading, Science, and test strategies.
• 😀 Takeaway 3: Use official ACT practice tests from the ACT website for the most accurate test simulation.
• 😀 Takeaway 4: English improvement comes from learning grammar rules and understanding sentence structure (e.g., clauses, punctuation).
• 😀 Takeaway 5: Math prep should focus on both review and new topics such as matrices and coordinate geometry.
• 😀 Takeaway 6: Build strong reading comprehension skills by experimenting with different strategies to find what works best for you.
• 😀 Takeaway 7: The ACT Science section is more about interpreting data, charts, and graphs than about knowing scientific facts.
• 😀 Takeaway 8: Review past practice tests thoroughly to understand your mistakes and avoid repeating them.
• 😀 Takeaway 9: Incorporate timed practice tests to simulate real test day conditions and build stamina.
• 😀 Takeaway 10: Week 8 should be reserved for final review and reinforcing concepts you've learned throughout the study plan, with a focus on relaxation and confidence-building as you approach test day.

Q & A

How much time should I set aside each week for ACT preparation?

You should set aside around 4 to 5 hours per week for ACT preparation, according to the study plan outlined in the video.

Why is it important to take practice tests for ACT preparation?

Practice tests help you understand the test's format, build endurance, and identify areas of strength and weakness. They are essential for effective preparation.

Where can I find free ACT practice tests?

You can find free ACT practice tests in the video description, with links to four practice tests provided by ACT, which they release annually in their preparation guide.

What are some recommended resources for ACT prep?

Recommended resources include practice tests from the ACT, YouTube tutorials, books like Erica Meltzer's English book, and the upcoming ACT Math book by the video creator. The Ultimate ACT course is also a good option for structured lessons.

What is the first step in the week 1 study plan?

The first step is to take a practice ACT test to assess your starting point, identify weak areas, and use it as a baseline for your study plan.

How should I approach the English section during preparation?

Focus on grammar rules and sentence structure in the English section. By understanding the patterns, you can significantly improve your score, especially in areas like clauses, semicolons, and punctuation.

What topics should I focus on for the math section in week 1?

In week 1, you should review geometry topics, including key formulas and concepts, as many students tend to forget them. These are commonly tested in the ACT Math section.

How can I improve my reading skills for the ACT?

Watch the video on 'How to get a perfect 36 on the ACT reading.' It offers strategies like 'label then read,' and practicing with timed drills to improve speed and accuracy.

What is the best way to approach the ACT Science section?

For the ACT Science section, don't try to understand everything in detail. Instead, go straight to the questions and work backwards, focusing on interpreting charts and graphs quickly.

How should I review practice tests effectively?

After taking a practice test, review each question you struggled with. Focus on understanding why you got it wrong, and make sure to learn from those mistakes to improve your score.