Tips for doing well on the ACT

On March 6, juniors attending Kentucky public high schools will take the ACT, a national college entrance exam. The ACT assesses students’ ability to perform college-level work. Scores may also qualify students for a bonus award through the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) program.

To do their best on the ACT, students should follow these tips from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), which administers the KEES program:

• Study, take notes and do your homework in your regular high school classes. Retain the information you learn rather than “dumping” it after the next test.

• Take practice tests. ACT offers sample tests at www.actstudent.org, and practice tests are included in the ACT booklet that school counselors receive each year. If those are not enough, larger practice books may be purchased at most bookstores.

• Take advantage of ACT prep classes. Many high schools and colleges offer such classes for free or for a small fee.

• Answer the questions you are most comfortable with first, then go back to tackle the others. Do not spend too much time on any one question.

• Remember that your first gut feeling is more often right than wrong.

• If you can eliminate one answer, you have a 1-in-3 chance of guessing the right answer. If you can eliminate two, you have a 50-50 chance. If you have no clue of the answer to a question, fill in any circle. The ACT does not count off for wrong answers, so guessing will not hurt your score.

• Make sure you get a good night’s rest the night before and leave home early enough to get to the test site on time. Do not forget to bring some form of identification.

To learn how to plan and prepare for higher education, visit www.gotocollege.ky.gov. For more information about Kentucky scholarships and grants, visit www.kheaa.com; write KHEAA, P.O. Box 798, Frankfort, KY 40602; or call (800) 928-8926, ext. 6-7372.