Preparation for any kind of testing may be more important than the process of passing it. This is since, at this stage, students can lay the foundation for the exam and study the essential parts that must be observed. Moreover, the preparation process has such advantages as providing knowledge that an individual will need in later life. Thus, the American College Testing Test is one of the most critical tests for future professionals. Studying the points that will help prepare for this examination can help students to achieve the most successful results.
Before exploring aspects that can help prepare, it is necessary to gain an understanding of what a research topic is. The American College Testing Test, or ACT, is a test that almost every student in the United States goes through. It consists of a specialized examination, which includes several components, such as English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. Moreover, the participant who will pass this assessment has the opportunity to choose additional Writing. The peculiarity of this testing is that it is used in the process of college admissions and the provision of scholarship opportunities. In the United States, it is used in colleges, universities, and institutions of higher education.
First of all, when preparing for the ACT, it is necessary to study what testing is. Hence, it is vital to know not only the principal and optional parts but also the organizational aspects of the procedure. In this case, each exam section is evaluated on a scale from one to thirty-six. After the evaluation of each part, students get a certain score. Then, the average amount is calculated, which are the final points the examinee receives. Choosing Writing as an optional part can allow the student to increase the number of points. In addition to the evaluation system, knowing how much time is given to each testing stage and into which parts each section is divided will be helpful.
The next piece of advice to follow in order to achieve the most positive test results is to start preparing in advance. Furthermore, students have the opportunity to know in advance when they can take the test and start preparing for it. The organization conducting this testing constantly publishes information on the exam dates. Thus, individuals can choose the day of delivery and thoroughly plan the preparation process. It can help them feel more confident in themselves when passing the ACT.
Moreover, early preparation has other advantages that may be useful to students. Henceforth, when people immediately know when they will pass the examination, they have more time to acquire the necessary knowledge, gather information, and study all the most important details and aspects of testing. In addition, students prepare themselves mentally in advance, which significantly reduces the risk of stressful situations during testing, which can negatively affect outcomes and success.
The next step in preparing for the ACT, which requires attention, is to draw up a training plan in accordance with the characteristics and desires of the student. Therefore, each test participant should determine from the beginning what results they want to achieve. Moreover, it is essential to appreciate an individual’s strengths and weaknesses, which will help to properly distribute the emphasis on the aspects that must be given the most attention. For example, if a student knows English well and feels comfortable in this area but at the same time, is weak in mathematics, it is this section that should be given more emphasis.
Further, students should make a clear choice of sources of information for preparing for the ACT and the methods that will be used in the learning process. These two points are valuable because, with their help, people can avoid the problem of stagnation that may arise due to monotony. Thus, individuals first should study sources and choose those that will provide practical and specific information that will improve the preparation process’s effectiveness. At the moment, many online outlets provide the necessary knowledge. Regarding the methods and ways of studying information, this process requires diversity. Research showed that “there are different kinds of test-preparation activities, such as after-class test preparation offered by private tutors or commercial organizations, and in-class test preparation offered by classroom teachers” (Li & Xiong, 2018, p. 4). Its advantages will be variability, maintaining the motivation and interest of students, and at the same time, the most productive memorization process.
In conclusion, this paper considered tips that will help in preparing for the American College Testing (ACT). This stage is one of the most important when passing this examination and requires a clear and thoughtful approach. Therefore, the most practical steps, such as early start, identification of various training methods, and finding the most reliable resources, were highlighted. In addition, in this process, it is especially important to draw up a training plan based on the student’s personal characteristics and requirements.
Reference
Li, H., & Xiong, Y. (2018). The relationship between test preparation and state test performance: Evidence from the Measure of Effective Teaching (MET) project. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 26(64).