February ACT

Hey guys, I'm planning on taking the ACT in February next year, but I'm not sure when I should start preparing. How long should I give myself to study, and what are some good resources to help me with ACT prep? Appreciate any advice!

Hello! It's a good idea to start preparing for the ACT early to ensure you have enough time to cover all the necessary material and practice extensively. Most students find that 2 to 4 months of focused preparation is adequate to achieve their desired score. However, the duration of your preparation might vary depending on your current skill level and target score.

Here are some helpful resources and strategies for ACT prep:

1. Official ACT resources: Utilize free resources provided by ACT, such as The Official ACT Prep Guide and the ACT Academy. These materials include practice tests and subject-specific study materials that are designed by the test-makers themselves. You can find these resources on the ACT website.

2. Online resources: There are also other quality online resources such as Khan Academy, which has free comprehensive video lessons and practice questions for different subject areas. CollegeVine also has a series of free blog posts focused on ACT prep, which you can access here: https://blog.collegevine.com/category/standardized-tests/act/

3. College prep books: Consider purchasing a reputable ACT prep book like Barron's ACT, The Princeton Review's Cracking the ACT, or Kaplan's ACT Prep Plus. These books offer strategies, practice tests, and subject-specific content review.

4. ACT prep courses: If you prefer a structured study experience, consider enrolling in an ACT prep course. Many well-known companies, such as Kaplan and The Princeton Review, offer in-person and online classes. However, these courses can be expensive, so determine whether a prep course fits into your budget and study style.

5. Practice tests: Consistently taking full-length practice tests is crucial for your preparation. They help familiarize you with the test format, the types of questions, and the pacing required to complete the test within the given time.

6. Self-evaluation and analysis: After completing practice tests, thoroughly review your answers and analyze both your strengths and weaknesses. Focus on improving areas where you need the most help, and practice those concepts and question types more frequently.

Remember that while preparing for the ACT, it's important to stay organized, create a study schedule, and manage your time effectively. Regular practice and self-evaluation will be essential for continued improvement and achieving your target score.

For more guidance on how to map out an effective study timeline before your February ACT, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/not-sure-when-to-take-the-satact-heres-your-guide/. Best of luck with your ACT preparation!