A lot rides on your child’s ACT performance – not only for him or her personally, but also for his or her school district.
In addition to impacting the results of college admissions, ACT test scores also influence:
- Scholarship qualification
- College/university course placement after acceptance
- The amount of time it takes to earn a degree
- The amount of debt incurred during college
- Government funding for school districts
The results of this three-hour test determine a lot for the future of your high schooler, so it’s important for them to feel as prepared and as comfortable as possible. Knowing the curriculum is one factor, but so much more goes into being ready.
One often-overlooked aspect of preparing for the ACT is how to approach the test itself. There are test-prep options created for this very purpose: to discuss successful strategies for taking the hours-long college entrance exam instead of covering test curriculum (math, technical reading, etc.).
What to Look for in an ACT Prep Course
To really improve ACT test scores, a test-prep workshop can give your child an edge over the competition. As you research prep courses, look for one that:
- Offers tips to enter the room with confidence on test day
- Shares proven strategies on taming test anxiety, improving focus, managing time, and tackling tough questions
- Shows how to handle different types of ACT questions
- Uncovers how to gain points even when they aren’t sure which answer is correct
- Provides specific study tips for each subtest featured in the ACT
- Demonstrates how to effectively study at home in the days leading up to the test
- Maps out a plan for writing a high-scoring essay on any topic
- Has independent results to back up effectiveness claims (if a seminar touts that it can improve ACT scores, they should be able to show proof of that statement)
Instructors make a difference, too. Your child will gain the most benefit when they learn from an ACT test specialist who’s thoroughly trained in not only the test topics covered, but also the ins and outs of taking the test.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Overlooking the simple act of practicing is an easy mistake to make. In a quality test-prep class, practice test materials that mirror the format, directions, style, and difficulty of the ACT should be included so your student can practice at home.
To make effective use of these tests, it helps to schedule practice dates and stick to them. It may even be fun for you to take a practice test alongside your child. (It can be humbling and provide fun, positive reinforcement when they score better than you do!)
ACT Test Prep in Las Vegas
Doorway to College Foundation, a national nonprofit that supports the transition to higher education, is bringing its five-hour ACT test-prep seminar to Las Vegas on Feb. 2 and Feb. 9. After spending five hours with us, your child can expect a score improvement of two to four points (or more). Visit www.doorwaytocollege.com/regional-seminars for more information.
