How your teen performs on the ACT test will have a significant impact on their ability to get into their top college choice. Your job as a parent is to help them prepare for this important test so that they feel confident and ready. Here are four tips to help your teen prepare for their upcoming ACT.
Start the Process Early
There is no getting around the fact that studying for the ACT is an arduous process. This is not a test that you can cram for and hope to do well. You should encourage your teen to begin studying for the test as early as possible. Creating a study timeline will help to keep the preparation on track.
Understand the Format
Because the ACT is a timed test, it is vitally important that your teen understands how to maximize their time. Taking time to help your child familiarize themselves with the test format will go a long way in their overall success. For example, make sure that they know that the ACT no longer penalizes incorrect guesses. This is also a good time to remind your teen to take plenty of practice tests. The more practice tests that they take, the more familiar and comfortable they will become with the ACT format.
Hire a Tutor
There is no substitute for a trained ACT tutor. A professional tutor will be able to customize a study plan designed to fit the individual needs and skills of your student. For instance, there may be a specific section on the test that your teen is struggling to master. A trained tutor will be able to hone in on these challenges and provide a slew of helpful testing strategies so that your child overcomes the difficulties.
Prepare Them for Test Day
One of the most important jobs as your teen's source of support is to ensure that they are well-rested and fed heading into the big day. Be sure to encourage them to get plenty of rest the night before and to eat a good breakfast the morning of the test. You can also consider driving them to the test site so they are not stressed about parking and other logistics. Lastly, a parent plays an instrumental role in helping the test taker to feel relaxed and confident.
Your teenager will be more likely to hit their test goal if you support them in this process.
