By Caleb Taran
Preparing for college takes time and effort. You have to think about where you want to go and what you want to get out of it, and on top of all that, you have to worry about finishing high school! So, it would be no surprise if you weren’t too focused on the ACT. Like the SAT, the ACT is a standardized test that gives colleges a general idea of their applicant’s abilities. While some schools emphasize these tests’ importance less, taking the ACT might still be worthwhile. If you receive a good score, it could make you stand out among other college applicants. Many different programs and resources over the years have sprung up to help students get the best score they can on the ACT. Here are 3 top ACT resources.
This may be the most apparent resource on the list, but you should take advantage of it. Coming straight from the makers of the ACT, this website has practice tests and writing prompts reminiscent of what you will see on actual ACT exams. They come with detailed feedback to tell you precisely what you did wrong and how to improve. You can retake the practice test as often as you want and buy the official ACT Test Prep and Subject books directly on this website. These books greatly benefit an already rigorous practice program, with a choice to get the entire set of individual books on each subject (English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science). Everything on the site is entirely free.
Founded in 1981, The Princeton Review has a long history of providing students with valuable help in college admissions, test-taking, and education. Their website has many free online practice courses and a full-length practice test. After taking it, you’ll receive highly detailed feedback on your score.
If you’re unsure about the ACT, the site hosts webinars on the differences between the ACT and the SAT, so you can decide which one to take (or neither, or both!) There’s also an experimental AI essay-feedback program, supposedly helpful in improving the exam’s writing section. The Princeton Review’s website is far too expansive to cover in one area of one article. It’s extensive; chances are, if you’re looking for something, it’s there.
While the website might look like little, Erik the Red is a highly comprehensive and enlightening guide on mastering the math section of the ACT. This is an area that many students struggle in, so it’s essential to get the best score you can here. Erik the Red includes lessons and quizzes to help you learn the material and guides on various topics to “game the system” on the ACT and SAT. No, this isn’t cheating, but rather noticing commonalities on the tests and deploying effective strategies to counter them.
The entire site is run by one man, a teacher and math tutor in New Jersey named Erik Jacobsen. Jacobsen specializes in ACT preparation in physics, precalculus, and math.
These topics fit in at the National STEM Honor Society, an organization dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of science, technology, engineering, and math in students of all ages. Through NSTEM, you can discover even more mentorship programs and opportunities that will help you in your educational journey. Consider joining or starting an NSTEM chapter at your school if one doesn’t already exist.
Do you want more resources on the topic of top ACT resources? NSTEM’s vast resources database provides thousands of searchable STEM resources by category, school level, and state. This comprehensive library includes info on enrichment activities, curricula, internships, scholarships, and more. Check out a free sampling here. Or get an NSTEM membership today to unlock the complete list.
Project-based learning enrichment provides high school students with college and career readiness. It gives them real-world relevance, transforming students into collaborators and imaginative problem solvers. They will gain the upper hand from enhanced confidence and grit in a global landscape. NSTEM provides these young STEM enthusiasts with a close community of like-minded fellow students and educators. To start your 9-12 Chapter of the National STEM Honor Society, click here.
