How to Prep for the Online ACT
In response to the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide test-site closures, testing agencies are being forced to adapt to a new and ever-changing landscape, including offering new formats of the tests.
However, for ACT the shift to online standardized testing has been in the works for some time now—the ACT has been offering online testing domestically for district- and statewide school-day tests since 2016, and in international test centers since 2018. However, as of September 2020, they will finally expand this option to include national test dates across the United States.
Will the online ACT be offered everywhere?
Initially, the online ACT will only be available at select test centers, before being expanded to include all national locations. Beginning in July, students can see which test centers offer the online ACT when they register for their exam. Keeping digital access equity in mind, students will not be asked to provide their own computers during the exam, but instead will use the devices available at the test centers themselves. According to the ACT, this imminent shift to an online format will enable students to see their test scores faster, improve security, and increase overall student access to the test.
Unlike the College Board, which recently paused plans to offer an at-home SAT this fall, ACT has indicated that an at-home ACT is still in the works, to be rolled out in late fall/early winter 2020.
How should you prepare for the online ACT?
Familiarize yourself with the TestNav platform. If you’re used to taking paper-delivered tests, a prolonged online assessment may seem intimidating. Thankfully, the ACT offers a free online practice test as well as an in-depth guide to the tools implemented on the platform, which include a countdown timer, a magnifier, a highlighter, a line reader, an answer eliminator, and an answer masker. (Select “Practice Tests” at the link above.)
Identify your baseline score. You can use a score from PreACT or official ACT results; if you haven’t taken a ACT yet, take a full-length practice test! When proctoring yourself, make sure to follow official time limits and take the test in an environment that simulates a testing center environment.
Determine your target score. Having a target score informs your study schedule and gives you a tangible goal to work toward. A quick way to determine your ACT target score is to look up the median ACT scores of the schools you’re applying to via their websites or a college search tool like Big Future.
Take practice tests. Although fewer practice tests are available that reflect the new online ACT format, the content of the test remains unchanged, so paper tests are still useful. What you shouldn’t do is take practice tests over and over again—it’s no use perfecting a poor golf swing. Once you’ve noticed a trend in the questions you’re getting wrong, or gaps in your knowledge, consult a teacher or mine online resources like ACT Academy.
Create a schedule and stick to it. Success in the ACT is not just about how much you study, but about how efficiently you study. Don’t try to cram all of your studying into one uninterrupted sitting, or stay up every night the week before the exam; you’ll burn yourself out. Instead, try the Pomodoro Technique: work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break (after 2 hours, take longer 15-30-minute breaks). Try to work consistently until your target test date, taking full-length practice tests often to reevaluate your progress.
For more information on the online ACT, or for personalized assistance in meeting your ACT score goals, reach out! Our tutors are always happy to work around your needs so that you feel comfortable and confident leading up to your test date.
