Think the ACT exam’s math section will be easier than the SAT. Don’t count on it!

After all, you still have to handle arithmetic (and yes it’s a bit trickier than the simple addition that you learned in grade 2), algebra, geometry and trigonometry.

Arithmetic covers adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing. But you also have to tackle average, mean, medium and mode, percents, ratios and rates, some probability, integer properties such as primes, factors, and multiples.

X and Ys. With the algebra questions you will have to simplify algebraic expressions, solve simple algebraic equations, factor of quadratic equations, work with simple roots and exponents and translate word problems from English to algebra.

Shape up for the geometry questions. You are going to need to know the properties of parallel line, triangles (especially right triangles), rectangles, squares and circles. You will also have to find the volume and surface area of boxes and cylinders and do coordinate geometry, including lines and linear equations.

Read the sines.  Trigonometry will be tested. But before you go off on a tangent and freak out—there will only be four questions. At least two of them can be answered by knowing the definitions of sine, cosine, and tangent. So don’t worry of trig isn’t your best subject.

Cheat. You’re allowed to use a calculator. Use the one that you practice with because you will be more comfortable with it. You don’t need a fancy calculator. A standard four-function one is fine.

How to add it all up: Tricks and techniques

• The questions appear in the order which you probably covered them in school. So arithmetic will be first and trig questions will be last. You can work your way up to the harder stuff.
• Skip the harder questions until you’ve answered all the questions you know.
• Know the directions before the exam so you don’t have to waste precious time reading them during the test.
• Don’t over calculate. Only use the calculator after you’ve read the question and figured out how you want to solve it. If you need to punch a bunch of numbers in to answer the question, think again. You are probably going about it the wrong way.
• Work backwards. Working backwards takes advantage of the multiple choice format. All you have to do is figure out which one is right. Run the answers through the equation in the question until you find the one that works.
• Use the process of elimination. Eliminate answers that are either too big or too small.
• Plug in numbers. Especially when you have algebra questions.  You can also use this method if you are working with percents, fractions and ratios and no actual values are given. Pick a simple number to replace the variable and use 100 % when dealing with percentages.

And there you have it—your ACT tutorial. Now put 2 and 2 together and score big time on your ACT exam.

Welcome to the next part of your ACT prep guide. This time we tackle the English section.

In a typical English ACT question, you read a passage and then you have to answer questions about that passage. 

There are two basic questions on the English section: Usage/Mechanics (like grammar and punctuation) and effective writing. About 40 of your 75 questions will test punctuation, grammar or sentence structure. The rest of the questions will cover the writer’s aims, organization and style.

So what’s the best way to proceed?

Know what you are looking for. Here are some typical mistakes you’ll be expected to spot:

• Missing subject or verb (e.g. “Most medicines ineffective” needs the verb “are”).
•  Modifier errors (e.g. “The sun appeared slow in the sky”  should say “the sun appeared slowly in the sky”).
• Punctuation (knowing when to use a period, a comma or semicolon).
• Subject/verb agreement (e.g. “Each of the historians spent many hours researching documents. Eventually they all reach the same conclusion.” Since it happened in the past it should be “reached”).

Pace yourself. Most test takers don’t get through all 75 questions. But you don’t have to answer every question to get a good score. For example, in order to score an 18 on the ACT English test, you’ll only need to answer about 40 questions correctly. An 18 would be about the 37th percentile, and just 5 more correct answers would bring you up to the 50th percentile!

Don’t take the hard route. Answer the easy questions first. Look for questions where you only have to read a sentence or two to answer them. You will be able to get through those quickly. Then if you have time answer the questions that require you to read a whole paragraph. 

Pay attention to what’s underlined. Some questions will ask you to base your answer on some specific element there. When the text isn’t underlined, you will most likely be asked about the section as a whole.

Check your work. Always reread the section of the passage with the answer you selected to make sure it sounds right.

When all else fails…Guess. Don’t skip any questions out. In the last five minutes fill in an answer for every question. You don’t lose points for wrong answers…and maybe the odds will work in your favor!

For more tips, check out our ACT prep on the ACT reading section and check back tomorrow for more techniques.

Think that your parents did a good job when they taught you how to read Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss when you were a kid?

Unfortunately, the ACT reading test is a bit more complicated than that.

Topics are much more advanced. For instance, reading passages can include natural science like biology, chemistry and geology (some passages can address these issues from a social and historical perspective), social sciences (history and social and political movements), humanities (poetry, literature, languages and philosophy) and narrative (a memoir or personal account of an even in someone’s life).

Don’t go running back to mommy’s arms with tears in your eyes just yet. We’ll be your ACT tutor today for the reading section of the test.  We’ll have you ace the reading section in no time–just like the big kids.

Alright we’re just kidding–but the questions are meant to trick and confuse you.

Here are the common types of reading questions that you can expect on the test:

Main Point: these questions ask you about the main points or overall topics in a reading passage.

Detail: these questions test your understanding of key details mentioned in the text.

Inference: With these questions, you gotta read between the lines and figure out what the author implies.

Vocabulary: these questions test your understanding of how certain words are used in the context of the passage.

Why?: these questions asks why or the reason that the author does or something specific in the text.

Tone: these questions ask the voice and mood the author is using.

Reading Strategies…to open up the library in your mind

• Before you choose a passage, look at all four passages. Start with the easiest one and save the harder ones for later.
• Always check back with the paragraph when you are choosing your answer. Don’t answer from just your memory alone.
  (Not that we think you can’t remember, it’s just that the questions are designed to trick you by mentioning something in the passage that sounds familiar.)
• Be sure to answer the questions with specific line references. They can usually be answered by only reading a couple of lines. So even if you can’t answer every question, you can get to these because they can be answered quickly.
• Stick to the facts. The reading questions generally don’t have creative answers to them.  If you have to come up with a creative argument to support picking a choice, then that choice is probably wrong.

That’s it. Your ACT tutorial for reading is done. Go do something fun, make your mother proud and check back tomorrow for more ACT tips and techniques.