ACT Preparation

From choosing the test to sending scores

1. Decide ACT or SAT with a diagnostic of each Every US college accepts both and uses the official concordance to compare. The ACT is more curriculum-based and faster-paced; the SAT is shorter and adaptive. Take one practice test of each and choose the higher percentile.
2. Decide on science and writing early Check whether any target programme requires or recommends them. If not, dropping them shortens the test and the preparation.
3. Pick a date at least two months before deadlines ACT advises testing at least two months ahead of the earliest application deadline; the October and December windows suit regular-decision applications, September and earlier suit early decision.
4. Build reading speed deliberately Thirty-six questions in forty minutes across four passages leaves about ten minutes a passage; timed daily reading with questions is the single most useful habit.
5. Revise mathematics by category Content through the start of grade 12 — algebra, functions, geometry, statistics — is usually known; the errors come from wording and from the calculator being used where mental arithmetic is faster.
6. Register a month before the deadline and upload the photo International registration closes about four weeks before the window and the photo deadline coincides with the late deadline; a missing photo cancels the registration.