Test Day Preparation (ACT Test Strategy)

The Week Before

7 Days Before Test

Academic prep: ✓ Take one final full-length practice test
✓ Review results and note weak areas
✓ Create summary sheet of formulas and strategies
✓ Don't start learning new material

Logistics: ✓ Confirm test center location and time
✓ Plan your route (drive it if unfamiliar)
✓ Identify parking options
✓ Check test center rules and requirements

3-4 Days Before Test

Light review: ✓ Review formula sheet and strategies
✓ Practice a few problems in weak areas
✓ Read over common mistakes list
✓ Don't do full practice tests (too draining)

Mental prep: ✓ Visualize success
✓ Practice relaxation techniques
✓ Maintain positive self-talk
✓ Don't obsess over scores

Night Before Test

Final prep: ✓ Light review of formulas (15-20 minutes max)
✓ Organize materials for morning
✓ Set multiple alarms
✓ Don't cram or study late

Evening routine: ✓ Eat a healthy dinner
✓ Prepare breakfast and snacks for tomorrow
✓ Lay out clothes
✓ Get admission ticket and photo ID ready
✓ Don't stay up late or pull all-nighter

Sleep: ✓ Aim for 8+ hours
✓ Go to bed at reasonable time (not too early — you'll just lie awake)
✓ Avoid caffeine after 3 PM
✓ Don't take sleeping medication (might make you groggy)

What to Bring

Required Items

1. Admission Ticket

• Print from your ACT account
• Check that name matches ID exactly
• Bring backup copy

2. Valid Photo ID

• Driver's license, passport, or school ID
• Must match name on ticket
• Must have clear photo

Without these, you CAN'T test!

Permitted Items

3. Sharpened No. 2 Pencils

• Bring at least 4-6 pencils
• Pre-sharpened (test center may not have sharpener)
• Mechanical pencils NOT allowed

4. Eraser

• Bring a good quality eraser
• Doesn't have to be separate (pencil erasers OK)
• Test dirty erasers at home first

5. Approved Calculator

• Check ACT's calculator policy online
• Most graphing calculators allowed
• Clear memory if required
• Fresh batteries (bring backup set)

Allowed:

• TI-83, TI-84 series ✓
• TI-89, TI-Nspire ✓
• Most Casio graphing calculators ✓

NOT allowed:

• TI-92, Voyage 200 ❌
• Calculators with QWERTY keyboards ❌
• Calculators with internet access ❌
• Phone calculators ❌

6. Watch

• Simple analog or digital watch
• No smartwatches (Apple Watch, Fitbit, etc.)
• No alarms or beeping features
• Very helpful for pacing!

Optional but Recommended

7. Snacks and Drink

• For breaks between sections
• Non-messy, quiet foods (granola bar, banana, nuts)
• Water bottle (not glass)
• Energy boost for stamina

8. Layers of Clothing

• Test centers vary in temperature
• Dress in layers
• Can't control room temperature, so be prepared

9. Small Bag

• To hold materials
• Will likely go under desk
• Check test center policy

What NOT to Bring

❌ Cell phone (must be turned off and put away)
❌ Smartwatch
❌ Tablet, laptop, or electronic device
❌ Books or study materials (can't use during test)
❌ Mechanical pencils
❌ Pens (except for essay)
❌ Highlighters
❌ Scratch paper (must use test booklet)
❌ Compass or protractor (not needed)
❌ Correction fluid
❌ Food that makes noise (chips, crackling wrappers)

If you bring prohibited items:

• Must be turned off and stored
• Cannot be on desk or accessible
• Can't use during breaks
• Violation can result in dismissal

Test Morning

Wake Up Routine

2-3 hours before test: ✓ Wake up with plenty of time (don't rush!)
✓ Shower and get dressed
✓ Eat a substantial breakfast
✓ Don't hit snooze 5 times

Recommended breakfast:

• Complex carbs (whole grain toast, oatmeal)
• Protein (eggs, yogurt, nut butter)
• Fruit (banana, berries)
• Avoid: Heavy, greasy foods that make you sluggish
• Avoid: Too much sugar (crash later)

Hydrate: ✓ Drink water
✓ Coffee/tea OK if you normally drink it
✓ Don't overdo caffeine (jitters or bathroom issues)

Final Checks

Before leaving: ✓ Admission ticket ✓
✓ Photo ID ✓
✓ Pencils ✓
✓ Eraser ✓
✓ Calculator (with fresh batteries) ✓
✓ Watch ✓
✓ Snacks and water ✓
✓ Layers ✓

Mental checklist: ✓ Know your testing strategies
✓ Remember time management plans
✓ Positive mindset
✓ Confidence in preparation

Travel to Test Center

Timing:

• Aim to arrive 30-45 minutes early
• Allows for parking, finding room, bathroom
• Reduces stress
• Don't arrive right at start time

If driving:

• Know the route
• Account for weekend traffic patterns
• Have backup route in case of construction
• Know where to park

If being driven:

• Coordinate with parent/driver
• Confirm pickup time (test duration + buffer)
• Have backup plan if ride falls through

At the Test Center

Check-In (30 minutes before start)

What happens:

1. Show admission ticket and ID
2. May be photographed
3. Assigned to testing room
4. Find your seat

Rules:

• No talking once check-in begins
• Follow proctor instructions
• Cell phone must be off and stored
• No food or drink at desk

If there's a problem:

• Speak to test coordinator immediately
• Issues with ID, ticket, room assignment

In the Testing Room

Before test starts: ✓ Get comfortable in your seat
✓ Organize materials on desk (pencils, calculator, watch, eraser)
✓ Put bag under desk
✓ Go to bathroom if needed
✓ Take deep breaths and stay calm

Proctor will:

• Read instructions (listen carefully!)
• Distribute test booklets and answer sheets
• Explain rules and timing
• Answer questions about procedures

Bubbling demographic info:

• Fill in carefully
• Check spelling
• Mark answers clearly
• Don't rush this part

During Breaks

Between sections, you'll have short breaks:

5-minute breaks:

• Use bathroom
• Eat snack, drink water
• Stretch legs
• Cannot access phone or study materials
• Must stay in designated area

Strategies:

• Move around to stay alert
• Eat energy-boosting snack
• Drink water (not too much!)
• Don't discuss test answers (against rules)
• Stay positive

During the Test

Mindset Strategies

Stay focused:

• One question at a time
• Don't think about previous sections
• Don't worry about questions you've already answered

If you get anxious:

• Take three deep breaths
• Remind yourself you're prepared
• Focus on process, not outcome
• Use your practiced strategies

If you make a mistake:

• Don't dwell on it
• Move forward
• Can't change it now anyway
• Focus on getting the next question right

Pacing Reminders

Check your watch:

• Glance periodically (don't obsess)
• Note checkpoint times
• Adjust pace if needed
• Stay aware but not stressed

If running behind:

• Don't panic
• Use guessing strategies
• Prioritize easier questions
• Make sure to bubble everything

If ahead of pace:

• Don't rush through remaining questions
• Use extra time to double-check
• Review flagged questions
• Check bubbling accuracy

Physical Strategies

Stay comfortable:

• Adjust posture regularly
• Prevent hand cramping (relax grip on pencil)
• Blink to prevent eye strain
• Stay warm with layers or cool by removing them

Energy management:

• Eat snack during breaks
• Stay hydrated
• Keep blood sugar stable
• Maintain focus for 3+ hours

After the Test

Immediately After

Do: ✓ Celebrate! You finished!
✓ Eat a good meal
✓ Relax and decompress
✓ Do something fun

Don't: ❌ Obsess over questions you might have missed
❌ Compare answers with friends (too late to change anything!)
❌ Calculate your score (wait for official results)
❌ Beat yourself up over mistakes

Score Release

Timeline:

• Multiple choice scores: 2-8 weeks
• Writing scores: 2-3 weeks after multiple choice

When scores come out:

• Review your score report
• Identify strengths and weaknesses
• Decide if you'll retake

If you're happy with score:

• Congratulations!
• Focus on rest of college applications

If you're retaking:

• Analyze what went wrong
• Adjust study plan
• Focus on weaknesses
• Register for next test date

Special Situations

If You're Sick

Mild illness:

• Go if you can
• Bring tissues, cough drops
• Take medication beforehand
• Inform proctor if needed

Severe illness:

• Consider postponing
• Contact ACT to change test date
• Better to test when healthy

If You're Running Late

Call test center if possible

• Explain situation
• They may let you in

If you miss start time:

• Some centers allow late entry
• May not be admitted
• Will forfeit test fee

Prevention: Leave EARLY!

If Calculator Dies

Bring backup batteries!

If it dies anyway:

• Use basic calculator if available
• Solve by hand
• Not ideal, but doable

If You Feel Unprepared

It's normal to feel nervous!

Strategies:

• Take it anyway (get experience)
• Do your best
• Can always retake
• Practice test is still valuable

Don't:

• Skip test last-minute
• Forfeit fee
• Miss opportunity

Test Day Checklist

Night Before:

☐ Set multiple alarms
☐ Lay out clothes
☐ Organize testing materials
☐ Prepare breakfast and snacks
☐ Get 8+ hours sleep

Morning Of:

☐ Eat substantial breakfast
☐ Bring admission ticket
☐ Bring photo ID
☐ Bring 4-6 No. 2 pencils (pre-sharpened)
☐ Bring eraser
☐ Bring approved calculator with fresh batteries
☐ Bring watch
☐ Bring snacks and water
☐ Dress in layers
☐ Arrive 30-45 minutes early

During Test:

☐ Stay calm and focused
☐ Follow pacing plan
☐ Use time management strategies
☐ Guess on every question (never leave blank!)
☐ Use breaks wisely

After Test:

☐ Relax and celebrate
☐ Don't obsess over answers
☐ Wait for scores
☐ Decide on next steps

Final Reminders

You've got this!

✓ Trust your preparation
✓ Use your practiced strategies
✓ Stay calm and focused
✓ Manage your time well
✓ Guess strategically (never leave blank!)
✓ Take care of yourself
✓ Remember: it's just a test, and you can always retake it

The ACT tests what you know AND how well you take tests.

You've prepared for both. Now go show what you can do!

Good luck! 🍀