{"id":8387,"date":"2018-10-17T10:54:33","date_gmt":"2018-10-17T16:54:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.petersons.com\/blog\/?p=8387"},"modified":"2019-02-06T16:15:43","modified_gmt":"2019-02-06T23:15:43","slug":"last-minute-act-test-prep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petersons.com\/blog\/last-minute-act-test-prep\/","title":{"rendered":"Oops. Last minute ACT test prep &#8211; what to do"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thought you had plenty of time to study for the ACT and now that test date is coming up like a steamroller? Don\u2019t panic. While the test may be soon, we\u2019ll guide you through a fast paced study process so you can turn your situation around and tackle this like a pro. These last minute ACT steps and tips from our test prep experts will set you up to study as quickly and efficiently as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><b>Step 1<\/b><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take out a pen and paper as you map out your plan of attack. Start by listing the number of days you have to study until test day. Then, allot a certain amount of hours you will study per day. This may vary between weekdays after school and weekends. Of course, the fewer days you have, the more hours you\u2019ll want to designate to studying. But, be realistic and don\u2019t neglect your normal schoolwork. Knowing exactly how much time you have will guide you through next steps.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><b>Step 2<\/b><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get comfortable with the format and basics of each section, maybe write down some quick notes. But don\u2019t spend too much time on this\u2013especially if you are taking the October 27th test in less than two weeks. Here\u2019s what you need to know:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The test format is timed multiple choice, aside from the optional writing section. The writing section is also timed, but the test taker responds to a prompt in essay format. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ACT contains four required sections and one optional section of various subjects, all differ in number of questions and timing and are listed below:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">English: 45 minutes, 75 questions. Assesses English language and writing skills.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Math: 60 minutes, 60 questions. Assesses math skills that are expected to have been acquired by the end of your junior year of high school. Subjects include pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reading: 35 minutes, 40 questions. Assesses reading comprehension expected in first year college courses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Science: 35 minutes, 40 questions. Assesses skills pertaining to biology, chemistry, earth\/space sciences and physics. These skills include interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning and problem solving.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Writing: 40 minutes, 1 prompt. Assesses writing skills typically acquired in high school English classes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are quick overviews of each section, but get a more comprehensive explanation in our updated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Petersons-ACT-Prep-Guide-2018\/dp\/0768942381\/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1539635134&amp;sr=1-2-fkmr0&amp;keywords=petersons+master+the+act\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACT Prep Guide<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re noticing a theme of subject matter you\u2019ve already learned, you\u2019re right on track.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cRemember&#8211;the ACT covers information you\u2019ve learned in high school, so don\u2019t panic,\u201d <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">said Chrissy Frye, ACT Prep Guide Editor.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><b>Step 3<\/b><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, assess the work that needs to be done by taking a practice or diagnostic test. Utilize a test prep guide or online diagnostic test that will assess what you need to work on specifically and how much studying you have to do. Find a quiet place, as a full practice test will take about three and a half hours. Try and stimulate the actual test as much as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\u2019re done, go over each question you got wrong. Ask a parent, teacher, or older sibling to score your essay if you practiced the writing section. Evaluate what areas you need to work on by section and specific problem type, and note which areas you seem to have down. Review answer explanations if available to better understand the specific questions and concepts. Keep your strengths and weaknesses in mind as you map out your study plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe key to test prep success in practice, practice, practice, but if time is a factor, then the best approach is targeted practice\u2014figure out what you need to focus on and hit it hard,\u201d said Frye.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><b>Step 4 <\/b><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s time to pull it all together and get organized. Now that you understand the format, structure, and your strengths and weaknesses, you\u2019re ready to build and tackle your study guide. From here, you have two options. You can (1) divvy up your study time equally among sections, or you can (2) divide the time unequally based on your strengths and weaknesses. If it is clear there are some areas you really need to focus on and others you can manage with a small amount of review, the latter might be your best option. If this isn\u2019t the case for you, equal amounts of time may serve you best. Here are examples of both options:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Say you have 12 days left to study, you plan to study two hours per day on weekdays and four hours per day over the weekend. You will have a total of 18 hours to study. If you are not taking the writing section, you can devote a total of four and a half hours to each section. If you are taking the writing section, we recommend setting aside one of your weekday study days to devote to the writing section, taking away two total hours of your study time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using the same 12 day, 18 hour assumption as above, Peterson\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/ACT-Prep-Guide-ASAP-Petersons\/dp\/0768941210\/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1539639474&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=petersons+act+prep+guide+asap\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACT Prep Guide ASAP<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> recommends listing the subjects from your weakest to your strongest and allocating a descending percentage of time. For example, the subject you scored the lowest in on your practice test would go first, and you would allot 30 percent of your time, or about five and a half hours if taking the writing section. If you aren\u2019t taking the writing section, still follow this model, then review what you still aren\u2019t comfortable with for that remaining hour and a half to two hours.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No matter which strategy you choose, be sure to split time between subject review and question practice, as these are both necessary to your study.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><b>Step 5<\/b><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On to the studying! Follow the study plan you chose by strategy and hours until the day before your test. Be diligent in your studies and stick with the plan. After all, you are on a time crunch.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try and finish your studying for the day before your test as early as possible to give yourself time to give yourself a mental break, prepare logistically, and get a full nights sleep. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The night before (or sooner if you won\u2019t be driving yourself), find out how long it will take to get to the test center so you can plan accordingly and give yourself plenty of time. Pack your bag or backpack with a printed copy of your ticket, a photo ID, an approved calculator with extra batteries, a watch to time yourself, number two pencils, snacks and water.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the day of the test, you should feel proud of yourself for sticking to a rigorous study plan despite the shortage of time. Be confident in your ability to succeed, knowing that you\u2019ve done your best to prepare.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>See also: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.petersons.com\/blog\/retaking-the-sat\/\">Retaking the SAT: A Timeline for Improving your Score<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>For more ACT test prep help, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.petersons.com\/testprep\/act\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">petersons.com\/testprep\/act<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thought you had plenty of time to study for the ACT and now that test date is coming up like a steamroller? Don\u2019t panic. While the test may be soon, we\u2019ll guide you through a fast paced study process so you can turn your situation around and tackle this like a pro. These last minute<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":8388,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[16,976,1742],"class_list":{"0":"post-8387","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-test-prep","8":"tag-act","9":"tag-act-test-prep","10":"tag-last-minute-test-prep","11":"ad_tags-act"},"better_featured_image":{"id":8388,"alt_text":"","caption":"","description":"","media_type":"image","media_details":{"width":1920,"height":1280,"file":"s3:\/\/pcom-wp-media\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/10123800\/studying-951818_1920.jpg","sizes":{},"image_meta":{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","keywords":[]}},"post":8387,"source_url":"https:\/\/wp-media.petersons.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/10123800\/studying-951818_1920.jpg"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Last Minute ACT Test Prep | What to do Steps and Tips<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Forgot to study for your upcoming ACT? 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