Yang Scholars Academy: How to Start ACT Test Prep in Evanston

Starting ACT preparation can feel overwhelming, especially when you're not sure where to begin or what methods actually work. If you've ever wondered why some students see dramatic score improvements while others plateau despite taking countless practice tests, you're not alone. The secret isn't in the quantity of practice—it's in the quality of your review and preparation strategy.

The Foundation for ACT Prep: Review Over Repetition

The biggest mistake students make when preparing for the ACT is falling into the "practice test trap." They take test after test, hoping that sheer repetition will somehow lead to improvement. But here's the truth: taking practice tests without proper review is like running on a treadmill—you're putting in effort but not actually moving forward. 

The Improvement Notebook: Get yourself a dedicated notebook that will become your ACT improvement bible. Every time you get a question wrong on a practice test, write it down in this notebook. But don't just copy the question—dig deeper. Write down why you got it wrong and explain why the correct answer is right. For English questions, identify the specific grammar rule you missed. For math problems, break down the solution step by step.

This process of writing things down does something powerful for your brain. It forces you to actively engage with your mistakes rather than passively glancing over them. When you physically write out the reasoning, you're creating stronger neural pathways that help you recognize similar patterns in the future.

Building Your Foundation: ACT Subject-Specific Fundamentals

ACT Mathematics: Start with the Basics

The ACT math section tests five main areas: Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics, and Probability. Therefore, it is essential you become familiar with the basic concepts of all these 5 topics. Topics like solving for variables, solving systems of equations, the unit circle, special right triangles, and more are all key to answering questions on the ACT.

Think of math fundamentals as your toolkit. When you encounter a complex problem on the ACT, these basics allow you to break it down into smaller, manageable pieces. A strong foundation means you can tackle harder questions by recognizing familiar patterns and applying your core skills. If you'd want a deeper dive into these math fundamentals, we've created free study materials that break down each math topic's foundational building blocks.

ACT English: Master the Grammar Rules

The English section rewards students who understand fundamental grammar concepts. Focus on sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, comma usage, and parts of speech. These aren't just random rules to memorize—they're the building blocks that help you quickly identify what sounds "right" and what doesn't. If you're also looking for a comprehensive review of these grammar fundamentals, we've created free study materials that break down each concept with clear explanations and examples.

ACT English prep tip: Practice identifying parts of speech and sentence structure to ace those tricky grammar questions.

When you miss an English question, always identify the specific grammatical reason why your answer was wrong and why the correct answer follows proper grammar rules. This systematic approach turns grammar from a guessing game into a logical process.

Section-Specific Strategies

ACT Reading: Focus on Structure and Main Ideas

The Reading section often intimidates students because of time pressure, but success comes from strategic reading rather than speed reading. Your goal isn't to remember every detail—it's to understand the structure and main ideas of each passage.

As you read, identify the main idea of each paragraph (usually found in the first or last sentence) and understand the basic chronological flow of the passage. This creates a mental map that helps you quickly locate evidence when answering questions. Don't worry about reading speed—some students excel by reading carefully for 3-4 minutes, while others skim in under 2 minutes. Find your comfortable approach and stick with it. If you're looking for more comprehensive practice tests to sharpen your reading schools, contact us to receive free samples!

ACT Science: Understand Before You Answer

The Science section isn't testing your scientific knowledge—it's testing your ability to interpret data and understand experimental design. Before diving into questions, take some time to read the text that explains what the graphs and experiments are showing you. Before you move onto the questions, make sure you know what each experiment/graph is about and what makes them different. We can also provide extra science practice questions to help you enhance these analysis skills. Feel free to contact us to receive free samples!

This upfront investment in understanding pays off when you're answering questions because you won't need to constantly reread and reinterpret the data.

Looking Back at the Text

Just because you finished reading the passage once doesn’t mean you’ll remember everything. The science and reading sections are all about going back and forth between the question and the passage to find and understand pieces of evidence.

Always look back because sometimes your memory might forget the important context that completely changes the evidence’s significance.

The Long Game: Patience and Consistency

ACT preparation isn't about cramming or taking as many practice tests as possible. It's about consistent, thoughtful practice combined with thorough review. Your score improvements will come from understanding your mistakes and building strong foundational knowledge that you can apply to new questions.

Focus on creating systems that work for you: the mistake notebook, regular fundamental review, and strategic practice. These habits will serve you not just on the ACT, but in college and beyond.

Remember, the goal isn't to take the most practice tests—it's to learn the most from each one you take. Quality review and solid fundamentals will take you much further than quantity alone ever could.

Ready to Take Your ACT Prep to the Next Level?

While these strategies will set you on the right path to ACT success, implementing them effectively often requires personalized guidance. As an experienced ACT tutor, I work with students to identify their specific weak areas, create targeted study plans, and master the review strategies that lead to real score improvements.

If you're looking for one-on-one support to build strong fundamentals and develop efficient test-taking approaches tailored to your learning style, I'd love to help you reach your ACT goals. Contact us to learn more about how we can work together to maximize your test prep time and boost your confidence on test day.