10 Practical Tips to Get a Perfect ACT

If you are wondering how to score a perfect ACT, you are not alone. Many students aim for the elusive 36, and while it may seem challenging, it is entirely achievable with the right strategies. In this article, we’ll explore 10 practical tips to get a perfect ACT that will help you improve your scores, manage your time, and approach the test with confidence.

These tips are designed to be actionable, easy to follow, and suitable for any student aiming to excel on the ACT.

Tips to Get a Perfect ACT

1. Understand the ACT Format and Sections

One of the first tips to get a perfect ACT is to fully understand the test structure. The ACT has four main sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, plus an optional Writing section. Each section has its own timing and question style:

• English: 75 questions in 45 minutes, focusing on grammar, punctuation, and style.

• Math: 60 questions in 60 minutes, covering algebra, geometry, and some trigonometry.

• Reading: 40 questions in 35 minutes, testing comprehension and analysis.

• Science: 40 questions in 35 minutes, focusing on interpretation, analysis, and reasoning skills.

Knowing the test format reduces anxiety and allows you to allocate your study time efficiently. Practice taking sections under timed conditions to simulate the real test environment.

2. Create a Strategic Study Plan

Another essential tip is to develop a personalized study plan. Start by assessing your strengths and weaknesses in each ACT section. Allocate more time to areas that need improvement while maintaining regular practice in your strong areas.

A practical study plan should include:

• Daily practice sessions of 1-2 hours.

• Weekly full-length practice tests.

• Time for reviewing mistakes and learning from them.

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A strategic study plan ensures that you consistently make progress and don’t cram all your preparation at the last minute.

3. Master Time Management Skills

Time management is one of the most critical tips to get a perfect ACT. Each section is strictly timed, and many students struggle to finish. Practice pacing yourself so that you can answer all questions accurately without rushing.

Tips for managing time effectively include:

• Skim passages in the Reading and Science sections for key information.

• Use a watch or timer to track your progress during practice tests.

• Answer easier questions first, then return to more challenging ones.

By mastering time management, you reduce stress and improve your chances of achieving a perfect score.

4. Take Regular Full-Length Practice Tests

Consistent practice is crucial for achieving a perfect ACT score. Taking full-length practice tests helps you build stamina and get familiar with the test’s timing and format.

When taking practice tests:

• Simulate real test conditions, including timing and breaks.

• Review every mistake to understand why you got a question wrong.

• Keep a log of recurring mistakes to focus your study sessions.

Regular practice builds confidence and allows you to refine strategies for answering difficult questions efficiently.

5. Focus on Weak Areas

A common mistake is to focus only on your strengths. To maximize your score, you must identify and improve your weak areas. This is a key tip to get a perfect ACT.

• For Math, review topics like logarithms or functions that give you trouble.

• In Reading, practice identifying main ideas and details quickly.

• For English, focus on punctuation rules and grammar patterns that are tricky.

• In Science, work on interpreting graphs and understanding experiments.

Targeted improvement in weak areas can have a significant impact on your overall score.

6. Learn Test-Taking Strategies

The ACT is not just about knowledge—it’s also about strategy. Learning effective test-taking techniques can save time and increase accuracy.

Some strategies include:

• Elimination: Remove obviously wrong answers first to improve your odds.

• Guessing wisely: Never leave questions blank; educated guesses can boost scores.

• Skipping and returning: Don’t get stuck on a single question; move on and come back if time permits.

These strategies help you stay calm and confident, essential qualities for a perfect ACT performance.

7. Build Strong Reading and Comprehension Skills

Reading comprehension is often a major hurdle for many students. To excel, practice active reading techniques. This is a practical tip to get a perfect ACT because strong reading skills influence multiple sections.

• Summarize paragraphs in your own words while reading.

• Highlight key points and data in Science passages.

• Practice with SAT and ACT-style reading materials to adapt to test language.

Active reading improves speed and understanding, which is crucial for answering questions correctly under time pressure.

8. Strengthen Math Foundations

Math makes up a large portion of the ACT score, so having a solid foundation is essential. Focus on mastering formulas, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.

Tips for math success include:

• Memorize formulas rather than relying on the calculator.

• Practice mental math to save time.

• Solve a variety of problems to strengthen conceptual understanding.

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Consistent math practice builds accuracy and confidence, which are key to a perfect score.

9. Take Care of Your Mental and Physical Health

Your mental and physical state plays a huge role in test performance. One overlooked tip to get a perfect ACT is prioritizing health.

• Get enough sleep, especially before the test day.

• Eat a healthy breakfast to fuel your brain.

• Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing to manage test anxiety.

• Exercise regularly to improve focus and concentration.

Being physically and mentally prepared ensures that you can focus fully and perform at your best during the ACT.

10. Review, Reflect, and Adjust

Finally, continuous review and reflection are essential. After each practice test or study session, take time to analyze your performance. Identify patterns in mistakes and adjust your strategies accordingly.

• Keep a journal of your scores and progress.

• Focus on repeated errors until they no longer occur.

• Celebrate improvements to stay motivated.

Consistent review ensures you continually improve, giving you the best chance to achieve a perfect ACT score.

Conclusion: Your Path to a Perfect ACT

Scoring a perfect ACT is challenging but entirely possible with the right approach. By understanding the test format, creating a strategic study plan, managing your time, focusing on weak areas, practicing consistently, and maintaining good health, you can maximize your chances of success.

Remember, the key is not just hard work but smart preparation. Implementing these tips to get a perfect ACT will help you stay focused, confident, and ready to tackle the test with a clear strategy. With patience, persistence, and practice, a 36 is within your reach.