Hey guys, I'm practicing for the ACT and having a hard time managing my time on the different sections. Can you share some timings and pacing strategies for each section? Anything from general tips to your personal experience would be really helpful. Thanks!
I totally understand the struggle with time management on the ACT. Here are some timings and pacing strategies for each section:
1. English Section (45 minutes, 75 questions):
- Aim to complete each passage in around nine minutes, leaving five minutes for review at the end.
- Read through the passage keeping grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure in mind. Work on speed by quickly identifying the issue and choosing the right answer from the given choices.
- You have about 36 seconds per question in this section.
2. Math Section (60 minutes, 60 questions):
- Separate the math section into thirds: first 20 questions in 20 minutes, then the next 20 in 20 minutes, and the last 20 in 20 minutes.
- The questions tend to increase in difficulty. Make sure to use your time efficiently and move on if a question is taking too long.
- You have about one minute per question in this section.
3. Reading Section (35 minutes, 40 questions):
- Split the time by passage: aim to complete each passage (with its sequence of questions) within eight to nine minutes.
- Quickly skim the passage, noting main ideas and themes. Then look at the questions and use the passage map you created to answer specific questions or find the needed information quickly.
- Don't get too bogged down in the details. Focus on bigger ideas and look for keywords in both questions and passages.
- You have about 52 seconds per question in this section.
4. Science Section (35 minutes, 40 questions):
- Similar to the reading section, aim to complete each passage (with its sequence of questions) within five minutes, leaving the remaining 15 minutes for more difficult questions or passages.
- Identify the question type: data representation, research summary, or conflicting viewpoints. This will help you focus on the right data and speed up your pace.
- Train yourself to quickly interpret graphs, tables, and charts, as they are the main sources of information in this section.
- You have about 52 seconds per question in this section.
General tips:
- Invest in a watch without a timer to keep track of time during the test.
- Practice using sample tests and time yourself as you would on the real test. This helps you to better understand your personal timing preferences.
- During your practice tests, note the areas where you spend the most time and focus on improving those skills.
- Lastly, always remember to take a few deep breaths during the test to help reduce stress, stay calm, and maintain focus.
Best of luck with your ACT preparation!
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