ACT is an important standardized test for college admissions. Your score can often determine whether you get into your preferred school or must settle for one you’re less excited about. While students understand that their own hard work is necessary to succeed in an ACT test, teachers can also play a pivotal role.
Here is how the average teacher helps their students prepare for ACT testing:
Identifying Areas to Improve
Teachers are observant and often know which students aren’t doing well in particular subjects. However, they can also use technology like Teach ‘n Go to their advantage to help students identify the areas they need to improve.
Such programs have student and parent portals, providing valuable information on attendance, coursework, behavior, and schedules. If you can receive insight into your weaknesses, you can set aside time to focus on them and put yourself in a stronger position to achieve an excellent score on your ACT test.
Providing Practice Tests
Testing environments are typically far different from the average classroom environment. Even course content is formatted differently. Students may be far more prepared for their ACT test and even less overwhelmed if teachers provide them with practice tests in advance.
Practice tests provide insight into college testing formats. When practice tests are a standard part of the curriculum leading up to an ACT test, students may feel more confident and competent to achieve their desired results.
Covering Relevant Subject Matter
ACT tests involve English, mathematics, reading, and science. When you’re required to show your knowledge and experience in these areas, it’s essential to dedicate time to study. Teachers can help their students prepare by providing an overview of the subject matter they’ll need to succeed in their college admission tests.
However, this can require all teachers to work together for the benefit of their students since one teacher can’t cover all course content.
Mathematics teachers will need to cover basic math concepts, while English teachers may need to set aside time to cover reading. While the ACT writing test is optional, providing writing tips for those with an upcoming ACT test date may be helpful.
Providing Test-Taking Strategies
Not all students naturally know the best test-taking strategies to help them thrive in an ACT test environment. Teachers generally do and can pass this knowledge on to their students. Some helpful test-taking strategies include:
- Starting with the questions you know
- Reading the questions carefully
- Bringing a watch in case you can’t see a clock from your seat
- Answering as many questions as possible
Offering Advice
Teachers might use their educational knowledge to help their students prepare for any upcoming test, but there’s more to testing than knowledge alone. Many other factors, like health and well-being, can sometimes affect successful test-taking.
Teachers can offer general advice to their students, like ensuring they’re eating nutritious brain foods, getting enough sleep, and balancing their studies and social life.
While students are the ones undertaking the ACT tests, that doesn’t mean their teachers can’t help them prepare for what they’ll face. Advice, test-taking strategies, and practice tests are just a few of the many helpful things teachers can do for their students preparing for the next stage of their educational lives.