How to Prepare for the ACT College Admissions Test

Is your homeschooled teen ready to take the ACT college admissions test? Test anxiety can be an issue, but it doesn’t need to be if you know how to prepare. Use these practical tips and resources to prepare for the ACT and ease the stress!

Disclosure: I was compensated for my time to write this post. All opinions are my own.

Although college and university admissions processes have been changing recently due to the pandemic, scoring well on the ACT is still important for getting scholarships as well as acceptance into your teen’s first choice of college or university.

This episode from the Homeschool Moms Science Podcast explains why teens should focus on taking the ACT:

Tips for Taking the ACT Standardized College Admissions Test

Study skills can sometimes be overlooked when homeschooling because of the generally relaxed learning atmosphere. When we want to prepare our teens for life post-homeschooling, study skills and life skills in general should be an important focus.

I remember my own experience with taking the SAT and the ACT. I was nervous, even though I had plenty of test-taking experience in public school. The pressure to perform was huge and I knew there was a lot riding on my results financially. Now that my daughters are nearing the age to take the ACT, I want to make things easier on them if I can.

There are some basic study tips we can pass along to our kids that apply to just about any test-taking situation, not just the ACT, such as:

Don’t wait till the last minute to cram before a test. Starting early helps relieve the stress and instills confidence.
Get a test manual if possible so you can understand the structure of the test you’re going to take.
Take a practice test at least once before the real exam to decrease your anxiety and increase pace within the time limits.
Create a study routine that best fits your schedule and learning style. Allow yourself some breaks and some ways to relax. Good habits and routines help!
One day before the exam, put everything you need in your bag. Don’t forget to take the admission ticket, a valid ID card, a couple of pens and pencils and a calculator. You will sleep better if you don’t need to think what you have to bring with you in the morning.
Speaking of sleep, don’t forget it’s an essential part of preparing! You might be tempted to stay up all night studying, but you’ll need a good night’s sleep to think clearly for the test.
Eat “brain foods” like blueberries, celery, eggs, and dark chocolate. Don’t forget to eat some protein the morning of the exam.
If you feel stressed, try some physical exercises or “brain breaks.” This has been shown to help mental clarity and focus.
Repeat things orally. Reading out loud can help create memory cues that will help you on test day.

These basic study tips will help, but what can you do specifically aimed at getting your best score on the ACT?

woman about to write on paper — Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom on Pexels.com

ACT Prep Bootcamp

Being prepared ahead of time goes a long way toward relieving test anxiety. But what is the best way to study and to practice the test? Where do you begin?

Fortunately, Greg Landry of College Prep Science has designed an online ACT Prep Bootcamp to help with this process. I was familiar with College Prep Science’s online and live classes and labs, but I didn’t realize the ACT Prep Bootcamp was the perfect solution to getting ready for the college admissions test. I’m glad I know about it now!

Greg Landry is an experienced science professor and homeschool dad, so he understands the special considerations that we have as homeschoolers.

What is the ACT Prep Bootcamp?

There are four online live classes (recordings are available if you can’t attend during the live). Students will take five ACT practice tests with real ACT questions, and there is ACT strategy homework over a four-week period.

The course is geared for teens in grades 9-12. The idea is the earlier the better because it gives teens the chance to take the test more than once to get their best scores and best chances for scholarships and other financial assistance.

Greg Landry provides an excellent list of reasons for focusing on the ACT, which you can read here. I highly recommend reading this information to help you in your decision-making process.

How does the ACT Prep Bootcamp work?

- Students will have a substantial (5 to 7 hours) weekly homework assignment with homework to be turned in.

– Class credit for your transcript: 1 semester credit of test taking and college study skills

– Students will take 4 bootcamp information / strategy tests

– Students will take 5 ACT practice tests with real ACT questions

– Students will receive a final grade for the bootcamp class

The ACT Prep Bootcamp is thorough and effective. It provides the laser focus that teens need to do their best with confidence.

If you’re serious about helping your teen do well on the ACT and relieving some of their test anxiety, you should definitely take a look at ACT Prep Bootcamp.

Learn more about College Prep Science

College Prep Science offers online self-paced and live science classes, as well as labs, for middle through high school ages. If your children are interested in science, but you aren’t sure what to teach when or how to help them if they’re planning on a medical career, College Prep Science has solutions for you!

They also offer a podcast for homeschool moms and free science tools like the ones below when you become a subscriber.

Visit College Prep Science

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Sara

Author/Speaker/Consultant at Heart and Soul Homeschooling

Sara is a homeschool mom to 3 creative girls. She holds a degree in Social Work specializing in early childhood development, which led to her interest in individualized educational options like homeschooling. She believes that learning should be a lifelong adventure, not just a checklist to get through. She is a writer, avid reader, introvert (INFJ), and dreamer of dreams.