How To Get A Perfect 36 on the ACT Reading Test - 5 Tips and Strategies From A Perfect Scorer

Summary

This video offers proven strategies for mastering the ACT Reading Test, shared by a seasoned test prep tutor with a track record of perfect scores. The tutor outlines five key tips: understanding the test structure, finding a personalized strategy, identifying easy questions, skipping broad passage questions until last, and pacing effectively. The script also introduces a unique 'Label, Then Read' method to streamline the reading process and emphasizes the importance of practice and independent thinking in achieving a perfect score.

Takeaways

• 📚 Understand the ACT Reading Test: Start with the basics of how the test works to grasp the structure and strategy required for success.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Evidence is Key: All correct answers in the ACT Reading are directly supported by evidence in the passage, allowing you to pinpoint the right choice.
• 🔍 Find Your Strategy: There is no one-size-fits-all approach; try different strategies through practice tests and stick to the one that works best for you.
• 🏷️ Label Then Read: A unique method where you label questions referencing specific lines or paragraphs first, then read the passage with these in mind for efficiency.
• ⏱️ Time Management: Pace yourself with the '32nd rule', moving on from questions if you can't find the answer within 20-30 seconds to maximize time usage.
• 🎯 Spot Easy Questions: The ACT hints at easy questions with certain words, allowing you to quickly identify answers stated directly in the passage.
• 📚 Skip Broad Passage Questions: Tackle specific questions first and return to broad passage questions last, after gaining a deeper understanding of the text.
• 📉 Independent Thinking: Develop your own method and don't just follow others' advice blindly; what works for one may not work for you.
• 📈 Practice with the Nine-Minute Drill: Break down practice into timed segments to simulate the test environment and improve pacing.
• 📝 Analyze Mistakes: After each practice, review and understand why you got questions wrong to refine your approach.
• 📚 In-Depth Understanding: For a perfect score, go beyond basic tips and delve into expert-level comprehension of the test.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is strategies, tips, and tricks for achieving a perfect score on the ACT reading test.

What are the three main reasons students struggle with the ACT reading test according to the script?

Students struggle with the ACT reading test due to strategic approach, time management, and understanding what makes answers right versus wrong.

What is the 'Where's Waldo' analogy used to illustrate in the context of the ACT reading test?

The 'Where's Waldo' analogy is used to illustrate that all the evidence needed to determine the correct answers is directly in the passage, and there's no need for guessing or storytelling.

What is the 'Label, Then Read' strategy mentioned in the video?

The 'Label, Then Read' strategy involves quickly scanning the questions first to identify specific line or paragraph references, labeling them, and then reading the passage with these in mind to answer questions more efficiently.

What is the significance of the 'Nine Minute Drill' method suggested for practicing the ACT reading test?

The 'Nine Minute Drill' method helps students get used to the pacing of the test by doing one passage at a time with a nine-minute timer, analyzing missed questions, and understanding their mistakes to improve.

What is the '32nd rule' mentioned in the video for time management during the ACT reading test?

The '32nd rule' advises students to move on from a question if they cannot find the answer within 20 to 30 seconds, allowing them to return to it later or guess if necessary to ensure all questions are attempted.

What does the video suggest about finding the best strategy for the ACT reading test?

The video suggests that students should try different approaches, find the one that works best for them, and practice it repeatedly to improve their performance on the ACT reading test.

How does the video define 'clear evidence questions' in the context of the ACT reading test?

Clear evidence questions are those that contain specific words indicating the answers are directly stated or restated in the passage, making them easier to identify and answer.

What is the advice given for handling broad passage questions in the ACT reading test?

The advice is to skip the broad passage questions initially, answer the rest of the questions to gain a better understanding of the passage, and then return to these questions at the end for improved accuracy and time efficiency.

What resources does the video mention for further help with the ACT reading test?

The video mentions the presenter's AST reading book with over 100 pages of strategies, an ultimate ACT reading course with over 10 hours of video lessons, and the suggestion to use free resources like the 'Nine Minute Drill' for practice.

What is the final piece of advice given in the video for students preparing for the ACT reading test?

The final piece of advice is for students to think independently, practice their chosen method, and become experts at it, rather than blindly following advice that may not suit their individual needs.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Mastering the ACT Reading Test

This paragraph introduces the video's aim to share effective strategies for achieving a perfect score on the ACT reading test. The speaker, a seasoned test prep tutor, outlines their qualifications, including perfect scores on ACT reading sections and successful outcomes for their students. The speaker promises to deliver five top tips for understanding and excelling in the reading test, along with resources for further preparation. The first tip emphasizes understanding the test's structure and common student struggles, like strategic approach, time management, and discerning correct answers. The ACT reading test is likened to a 'Where's Waldo' exercise, where evidence for correct answers is explicitly present in the text.

05:01

🔍 Developing Personalized Strategies for ACT Reading

The second paragraph delves into the importance of finding a personalized strategy for the ACT reading test, with the speaker highlighting that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The speaker introduces the 'label then read' method, a unique strategy where students quickly identify question numbers in the text and label them before reading in detail. This method aims to enhance time management and focus by allowing students to answer questions as they read, reducing the need for rereading and improving the chances of finding the correct answers quickly. The speaker also mentions a comprehensive reading book that includes over 100 pages of strategies and tips for achieving perfect scores.

Keywords

💡ACT reading test

The ACT reading test is a section of the ACT exam that assesses students' reading comprehension skills. It is a timed test with passages and questions that require quick and accurate understanding. In the video, the speaker aims to help students master this test by sharing strategies to achieve a perfect score, emphasizing the importance of understanding the test's structure and how to approach the passages and questions effectively.

💡Strategies

Strategies refer to the systematic approaches or methods one can use to tackle a task or problem. In the context of the video, the term is used to describe the various techniques the speaker employs to help students excel in the ACT reading test. These strategies include understanding the test format, time management, and identifying the correct answers within the passages.

💡Test prep tutor

A test prep tutor is a professional who specializes in preparing students for standardized tests, such as the ACT. The speaker in the video identifies as a test prep tutor with nine years of experience, indicating their expertise in guiding students to achieve high scores. The role of the tutor is crucial in helping students understand the nuances of the test and develop personalized strategies for success.

💡Perfect score

A perfect score in the context of the ACT reading test refers to achieving the highest possible score, which is 36. The video emphasizes the speaker's success in helping students reach this score, showcasing their effectiveness as a tutor. The pursuit of a perfect score is the ultimate goal for many students taking the ACT, and the video offers insights into how this can be achieved.

💡Evidence

In the context of the ACT reading test, evidence refers to the information found within the passages that supports the correct answer to a question. The speaker likens the process of finding the right answer to a 'Where's Waldo' search, where the evidence is directly visible in the text. This concept is central to the speaker's strategy of ensuring students can confidently identify and locate the correct answers within the passages.

💡Time management

Time management is a critical skill in test-taking, especially for timed sections like the ACT reading test. The video discusses the importance of pacing oneself during the test to ensure all questions can be answered within the allotted time. Effective time management helps prevent rushing through questions or running out of time, both of which can negatively impact scores.

💡Label then read

Label then read is a specific strategy introduced by the speaker for tackling the ACT reading test. It involves quickly scanning the questions first to identify any that reference specific lines or paragraphs, labeling these for easy reference, and then reading the passage with these labels in mind. This method is designed to streamline the reading process and make it easier to locate answers within the text.

💡Clear evidence question

A clear evidence question is a type of question on the ACT reading test where the correct answer is directly stated or closely rephrased in the passage. The speaker advises students to look for specific words in the questions that indicate this type of question, allowing for quicker and more accurate responses. This concept helps students identify questions that are easier to answer and节省 time.

💡Broad passage questions

Broad passage questions are those that ask about the overall main idea or purpose of the passage. The speaker suggests skipping these questions initially and addressing them last, after answering more specific questions. This approach is based on the idea that answering specific questions first can provide a better understanding of the passage, making it easier and faster to answer the broader questions at the end.

💡Pace

Pace, in the context of the ACT reading test, refers to the speed at which a student works through the questions and passages. The video emphasizes the importance of maintaining an appropriate pace to ensure all questions can be answered within the time limit. The speaker introduces the '32nd rule' as a method to help students manage their pace effectively.

💡Nine-minute drill

The nine-minute drill is a practice technique recommended by the speaker for preparing for the ACT reading test. It involves setting a timer for nine minutes and working through one passage at a time, then reviewing and analyzing any incorrect answers. This method helps students become accustomed to the test's pacing and provides a structured way to identify and learn from mistakes.

💡Independent thinking

Independent thinking is the concept of forming one's own opinions and strategies rather than blindly following others. In the video, the speaker encourages students to think independently about their test preparation, to find what works best for them, and to critically evaluate the advice they receive from various sources, including friends, tutors, and online content.

Highlights

The speaker is a full-time test prep tutor with nine years of experience and a perfect ACT reading score.

In 2022, four of the speaker's students achieved a perfect 36 on the entire ACT, and 13 students scored a perfect 36 on the reading section.

The ACT reading test is likened to 'Where's Waldo', with all evidence for correct answers directly in the passage.

Students typically struggle with strategy, time management, and understanding what makes an answer right or wrong on the ACT reading.

Tip 1: Understand the basics of the ACT reading test before moving on to advanced tips.

Tip 2: Find the best strategy for oneself, as there is no universally best approach to the ACT reading test.

The 'Label, Then Read' method is introduced, which involves identifying specific line or paragraph references in questions first.

Tip 3: The ACT reveals easy questions through the use of certain words, indicating clear evidence in the passage.

Tip 4: Skip broad passage questions initially and return to them after answering more specific ones to save time and improve accuracy.

Tip 5: Learn to pace yourself correctly on the ACT reading, using the '32nd rule' for time management on difficult questions.

The speaker offers a 9-minute drill exercise to help students get used to the test's pacing and analyze their mistakes.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of thinking independently and finding what works best for the individual.

The speaker provides a comprehensive ACT reading book with over 100 pages of strategies for achieving perfect scores.

The speaker's ultimate ACT reading course includes over 10 hours of video teaching everything needed to achieve top scores.

The speaker encourages students to subscribe for more ACT test prep videos released weekly.

The speaker promises to respond to comments and questions about ACT reading, study tips, or related topics.

Transcripts

are you taking the ACT soon and want to

learn how to crush the ACT reading test

and get a perfect score if so in this

video I'm going to share some of my best

strategies tips and tricks that have

helped many of my students score

perfectly on the ACT reading now if

you're asking yourself why am I

qualified to give you this advice well

I've been a full-time test prep tutor

for the last nine years I've scored

perfectly on every single act reading on

the released acts since 2016 and more

importantly I know how to teach this

test in 2022 four of my students

achieved a perfect 36 for the entire

test and I had 13 students get a perfect

36 on the reading now in the rest of

this video I'm going to share five of my

best tips that are going to help you

understand the reading test at a really

high level and prepare you to get a

perfect score I'm also going to show you

the resources that I use to help my

private tutoring students achieve those

perfect 36s and additionally I'm going

to share some free resources that you

can use on your own to get ready for

test day tip number one is understand

the test what I mean by that is we need

to start with the basics of

understanding how the reading test Works

before we can jump into the more

advanced tips here now many students

struggle with act reading for three

reasons number one they struggle with

strategically how should I approach the

passages number two they struggle with

time management and number three they

struggle with what makes answers right

versus wrong now the most important

thing I want you to understand about the

ACT is the act reading is just like a

where's Waldo what I mean by that is all

the evidence that tells you which

instruments to correct is straight in

the passage well I always tell my

students is you can put your finger

directly right on the evidence what that

means is there's no storytelling there's

no half right answers there's no

spinning answers whenever you find the

right answer in the passage it should be

super clear that you can literally put

your finger on it and go Ah that's it

that's why my answer is correct tip

number two is find your best strategy I

teach six different approaches for how

to handle the HT reading test but I want

to be clear that none of them is the

best approach all the approaches helped

my students in 2020 to achieve a 36 but

again there's no best approach what is

important is I want you to try and find

the best approach for you the best way

to do that is do practice tests try

different approaches until you find one

you like once you find one you like

stick to it and practice it over and

over what you can see on the screen now

is from my AST reading book which has

over 100 pages and includes everything I

teach my students about Ace tea reading

to help them get those perfect scores

now this approach here is called label

then read and this is one that I think I

created never seen anywhere else but

it's one that really helps a lot of

students what we're going to do here is

we're actually going to go to the

questions first but I don't want you

reading all the questions all we're

doing is we're going through the

questions quickly with our eyes and

we're looking for any questions that

reference a specific line or paragraph

and we're going to label where those

questions are so I'll kind of go down to

a pasture I've already labeled up for us

so what I would do here is I would go

straight to the questions and if you

look at these questions down here you

can pretty quickly see boom numbers

numbers numbers you just kind of let

your eyes go and you're going to find

those numbers pretty quickly it's not

super difficult we're going to do as we

find the numbers we're going to go ahead

and label it now once you've labeled

them up it'll probably take you maybe 10

15 20 seconds now we're going to go

ahead and read the passage and this is

the second thing I want you to do with

this method is I want you to pre-read

the questions so before we even start

this paragraph We Know question 11 is

coming up right here so you can go ahead

and read question 11 and then you can

start reading the paragraph you'll

already know ahead of time kind of what

you're looking for which will make it

easier and faster to answer question 11.

we can do the same thing with 16 once we

have the second paragraph We can look

for 13 and keep going through this

process so as you can see this should

save you in terms of time management

because you're going to be answering

questions as you read and you'll be able

to answer these faster because you've

just read them if you were reading the

whole past in one big go you might be

wasting time by having to come back and

reread these it's also going to give you

some breaks along the way so if you find

yourself having trouble staying focused

and doing this and one big go all the

way through this should really help you

out if you want to read more of all the

details on these Pages I'll kind of

scroll back to the front so you can

basically pause the screen and you can

kind of start reading through all these

different tips and rules for knowing

exactly how to go through and apply this

label and read method tip number three

is know how to spot the easy questions

did you know the AC actually tells you

which Quest questions are the easiest

with some certain special words in the

questions this is another tip you're not

going to find anywhere else on YouTube

so what you're looking for is any of

these words if you see these words in a

question it's what I to call a clear

evidence question which means the answer

choice is going to be stated directly in

the passage whichever one is correct is

going to be a simple restatement or

rephrasing of what you found in the

passage it might even be the exact same

thing tip number four is skip the broad

passage questions and save them for Less

a lot of times in act you'll see a patch

that looks like the one right next to me

here and the very first question is

going to ask you about the main idea or

the main purpose or something that has

to do with the entire passage many

students make a mistake by answering

these right away the problem with doing

that is number one it's going to take

you a lot of time you'll probably have

to go back and look over the passage and

number two you're more likely to get

this wrong so what I want you to do is

Skip these do the rest of the rest of

the questions and come back at the End

by doing the rest of the questions

you're going to understand the passage

better so you're more likely to get

these questions right and you're also

going to be able to do them faster which

of course is saving you time tip number

five is learn to pace yourself correctly

act reading is really hard in terms of

time management you have four long past

just 10 questions each and you have to

be exact 8 minutes and 45 seconds per

passage you can think of this as nine

minutes on test day every time at the

end of a passage once you're done with

all 10 questions make sure you wear a

watch check your watch see where you're

at it'll give you an idea if you're

ahead of pace behind Pace or on Pace

additionally I'd advise students to what

I uh follow what I call the 32nd rule

which is basically if you're on a

question for too long have that little

shot clock in your head if it's taking

you more than 20 or 30 seconds you're

looking or looking you can't find that

Waldo just move on as you do the rest of

the questions you might just come across

it or you can always just bubble in a

placeholder Circle the number um if

you're guessing on that question you're

not sure I'd rather you finish all 40

questions and come back to some of you

guests on along the way then run out of

time and have to guess on the last five

or six questions that approach of taking

some educated guesses and moving on more

quickly is going to help you answer all

40 questions and get a higher score if

you're really aiming for a 36 this is a

great place to start but you really need

to under understand much more in depth

about the test you have to really

understand the test at an expert level

if I'm working my students in private

tutoring sessions we usually spend

around three to five hours really diving

into the reading and understanding it

and then of course they do much more

practice to get to their best scores

ever uh to get really good at reading

there's lots of interests you have to

understand how to really break down the

passages how to best read the questions

how to use your answer choices to the

advantage uh how to approach the

questions mentally learn to use the

keywords how to skim effectively and of

course much much more so this is why in

my uh ultimate act reading course it's

over 10 hours of videos of me teaching

basically everything that I've got you

can of course learn much this stuff on

your own but I've tutored this for

thousands of hours perfected how to

teach it and kind of my methods so I can

really just shortcut your ability to get

to those top scores that of course you

were aiming for that being said if you

want to go about this and do this for

free let me give you guys some advice on

my recommendations number one I like to

recommend that students start what I'll

call the nine minute chart what the nine

minute drill is is instead of doing your

reading all the way through in one big

go we're gonna break it and do it one

passage at a time and you're gonna set a

timer for nine minutes because nine

minutes it's technically eight minutes

45 seconds but nine minutes is basically

your pace so what that'll do is number

one it'll get used um it'll get you used

to the pacing of the test which can

really really help on testing number two

what we'll do with the nine minute drill

is you're gonna do one passage set a

time for nine minutes and then when

you're done you're gonna check your

answer choices right away and then

you're gonna go back and for questions

you missed you're gonna try and analyze

why you got that wrong and if you got it

wrong you're going to take some notes as

far as exactly why you got it wrong what

your mistakes were what you can do

better next time and you're gonna kind

of Workshop that until you get of course

better and then once you feel

comfortable with that you can expand

back to doing an entire passage all the

way through my final piece of advice

here in this video is I want you guys to

all think independently as you're doing

your act reading prep figure out what

works for you practice that and become

an expert at your method just because

one of your friends who got a perfect

score tells you the way they did reading

or you see a video on YouTube or Tick

Tock or you hear from your tutor hey

this is the best way to do it they're

generally full of it there's a ton of

people I've watched videos and tutorials

where the advice and the methods they're

giving are actually really bad so make

sure that as you're going through you

really do think okay does this approach

make sense is this helping me and if it

isn't think independently again find

what works for you other than that I

hope you guys really enjoyed the video

if you guys have any questions about HD

reading or study tips or anything else

HD related please let me know in the

comments down below I promise I will

respond to those I'm happy to help you

guys on your journey to some great HT

scores other than that be sure to

subscribe I've got lots more HD videos

coming out new ones every single week uh

on that this is mad at prep Pros hope

you guys enjoy the video see you next

time