A high ACT® score can benefit your high schooler when it comes to college admissions and scholarship opportunities. While you can’t take the test for them, you can do plenty to support their success. Help your child prepare and stay motivated with these expert tips.
When Should Your Kid Start Preparing for the ACT?
Students need time to build confidence for test day. While ACT practice tests are essential, they’re just one part of the process. These tests help familiarize your child with the format and reveal areas where they need improvement.
However, to truly grow, students often need additional support and strategies to target these areas effectively. Preparing early gives students the flexibility to retake the ACT if needed, ensuring they have time to address any weak spots before college application deadlines. Plus, retaking the ACT gives your child the advantage of superscoring, where their highest section scores are combined for an optimal composite score.
Here’s what an ACT prep schedule that includes 1 retake should look like:
| Timeline | Process |
|---|---|
| Fall of junior year (September-November) | 1. Take a diagnostic test 2. Create an ACT study plan 3. Start ACT prep |
| End of fall through winter | 6-month prep time |
| Spring of junior year (March-May) | Take the ACT for the first time |
| End of spring through summer | ACT prep for retake |
| Fall of senior year | Retake the ACT |
Encourage your child to take diagnostic practice tests regularly throughout their studies. These assessments help students get familiar with the test format and pinpoint areas where they need to improve, giving them a clear path forward.
If your child’s score is more than 10 points below their target, it’s essential to start studying at least 6 months before their test date. However, an earlier test date may be worth considering if they consistently score at or above their target score in timed, full-length practice tests.
Work with your child to create a realistic study schedule focused on consistent improvement. Starting in the spring or summer before their junior year increases their chances of achieving their target score well ahead of senior year deadlines.
How Parents Can Help Their Child with the ACT Test
The core components of an effective study plan are an early start and a realistic outlook.
Understand the ACT
By better understanding the ACT, you can help your child study for the test more effectively and limit stress and misconceptions. Even though the ACT has been given for many years, its content, format, and scoring periodically change.
In terms of content, the ACT consists of sections: English, math, reading, and science. The optional writing section does not count toward the final score. Your child must understand the ACT test format and topics and concepts in each subject to kickstart their test preparation.
ACT Test Structure: Sections, Timing, and Skills Assessed
| Number of Questions | Allotted Time | Section | Skills Tested |
| 50 |
35 minutes | English (Required) |
Knowledge of grammar, sentence structure, and conventional usage |
| 45 | 50 minutes | Math (Required) |
Knowledge of number system, algebra, functions, and geometry |
| 36 | 40 minutes | Reading (Required) |
Ability to analyse, comprehend, and compare passages |
| 40 | 40 minutes | Science (Optional) |
Knowledge of scientific investigation, ability to interpret data, evaluate tables, models, and graphs |
| 1 essay |
40 minutes | Writing (Optional) |
Ability to comprehend viewpoints and reasons, then build a thesis |
Each section of the test is graded on a 1-36 point scale, and a student’s composite score is the average score on all required sections. Students are awarded points for correct answers but do not lose points for wrong answers, and scores from any given administration of the test are equated. The number of correct responses required for a given score varies from test to test. On some tests, a student who missed 1 question in each section could still get a 36, while on others, they might get a 32.
The ACT is administered multiple times throughout the year, generally on a Saturday in mid-February, April, June, July, September, October, and December. The registration deadline is usually about 5 weeks before the test date. Late registration is available up to 3 weeks before a test. Scores are typically given out about 2 weeks after the test.
For the current ACT test schedule, visit our page on ACT Registration and Test Dates.
Start Preparing Early
To ensure your child is well prepared for the ACT, start planning early, even in the spring or summer before junior year. This will give them time to take practice tests, familiarize themselves with the test format, and identify their strengths and weaknesses.
Encourage your child to take challenging courses in high school. A strong, foundational knowledge will be a valuable asset on the ACT and in life. Taking free ACT practice tests can also help gauge proficiency. Also, make sure that you keep track of important test dates to avoid missing registration dates and deadlines.
Follow a Study Plan
Creating an effective study plan for the ACT test is critical. Following a study plan will ensure enough time is dedicated to each subject. Here are a few tips to get started:
- Discuss with your child how much time they can devote to preparing for each subject on the ACT in a week.
- Help your child set realistic goals. Develop a study plan based on the available time and your child’s learning capacity.
- Check that your child is strictly following the study plan to avoid any last-minute hustle before test day.
If you need help creating a study plan, our ACT study guide will show you how to develop a 6-month, 3-month, or 1-month study schedule based on the amount of prep time available.
Find Quality Test Prep Resources
Even with a schedule firmly established, your child may initially feel lost. The number of test prep resources makes choosing difficult. Focus on finding resources that fit your student’s needs without breaking your budget. The most valuable resources will be those that provide many exam-like questions and provide quality information to fill any knowledge gaps your child may have. Practicing questions actively engages students in learning far more effectively than reading or watching videos and makes them feel more at ease on test day, as they will have already seen hundreds of similar questions.
UWorld’s ACT practice tests offer 3,200+ exam-style practice questions, with detailed answer explanations, strategies, and tips to boost confidence for test day.
Focus on Tracking Performance
Practice alone doesn’t make perfect. Encourage your child to keep a progress journal to track what works and what needs improvement. Immediate reflection and analysis of questions answered incorrectly facilitate growth and ensure they don’t repeat their mistakes.
Be a Cheerleader
Applying to college and getting ready for the ACT test can be stressful. It’s important to provide your child with support and positive reinforcement during this period. Encourage them to keep things in perspective. It is important to tell them they can always retake the exam or apply to their dream school as a transfer.
How Do I Motivate My Teen to Prepare for the ACT?
If your student does not feel naturally motivated to prepare for the ACT, make sure you're on the same page regarding the benefits of the test. Students who recognize that preparation directly affects their chances of accomplishing their dreams will be more motivated.
Explore colleges with your teen, and when you’ve settled on a few, look up average ACT scores. With these target scores in mind, help your child free up 4 hours on a weekend to take an ACT mock test and have them grade it. Any discrepancy between their practice and goal scores should help them understand the value of preparing for the test.
If that discrepancy is dishearteningly large, make sure your teen understands that the ACT is not a test of intelligence but rather of preparedness. Students who score poorly on a practice test might assume that a low score is a foregone conclusion and that there’s no point in studying. However, with consistent practice, even an ACT score in the 30s is achievable for everyone.
Tips for Parents on ACT Test Day
The last thing you want on the ACT test day is for your kid to feel unnecessarily stressed. Review the instructions on your child’s ACT admission ticket regarding what’s required and prohibited. Encourage your child to get organized the night before so they can focus on the test itself that morning.
Similarly, encourage your child to rest well the night before their test day. If they’ve been following a study plan, there is little that can be gained from cramming the night before. Instead, focus on a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast.
In the hour before sitting for the test, students should double-check that they have the materials and supplies (e.g., ID, pencil, calculator, snack) they need. Ideally, all these items should be laid out the night before the test. Make sure your child has a healthy breakfast and arrives at the testing center early. Students may not be allowed to take the test if they arrive after the time stated on their admission ticket (typically 8 a.m.).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which resource can help track my child’s progress on ACT practice?
Besides taking an actual ACT, the best measurements of your child’s progress are diagnostic practice tests. A student’s performance on a practice test will reflect what they are likely to score on their ACT. Encourage your child to take a practice test at least once or twice a month while preparing for the test.
How can my child make changes to their ACT registration?
Your student’s MyACT account includes an option to “Make Changes to Your Registration.” You can also call the ACT registration office directly. Either way, be sure to request any changes prior to the late registration deadline for the test in question.
Which scores will colleges look at if my child took the ACT more than once?
The ACT automatically superscores, which means a student’s composite score is generated by averaging their best score for each section across all tests.
Can my child take the ACT with accommodations?
Yes. However, requests for ACT testing accommodations must be made by a school official at your child’s high school. These requests must be submitted by the late registration deadline posted for any given test date, typically about 3 weeks before the test.
Can my child choose which ACT scores to send to colleges?
Yes. The ACT only sends scores to colleges at your student’s request.
Read More Related Articles
Here’s everything you need to know to improve your child’s prospects of excelling on the ACT test and getting into the college of their dreams.
ACT FormatUnderstanding the ACT test format is a tremendous advantage. Learn about sections and structure so you know exactly what to expect.
ACT SyllabusKnow exactly what’s on the ACT with this syllabus covering all subjects and topics so you can start preparing for success.
ACT Study GuidePrepare for the ACT like a pro with our ACT study guide, including study plans, strategies, and tips to ace the test.
