Since all juniors are required to take the ACT this year, many students are worried and caught off guard. I’m not just speaking for myself when I say this, but the ACT is a test that is dreaded by many students. If you’re a freshmen, sophomore, or junior, these simple test-taking tips will ensure you’re ready to face the ACT.

Before the test:

Practice tests

Practice tests are by far the most effective tools for achieving the score you want on the ACT. They will expose you to actual ACT material, and they will make you more confident for when you take the test.

Eat a healthy breakfast

You’ve all heard it before, and it isn’t something that’s made up. Eating a nutritious breakfast before the ACT is essential. This will ensure you and your brain are ready to go for test day.

Get a good night sleep

Getting a good night sleep the night before the ACT is extremely important. This doesn’t mean go to bed three hours earlier than your body is used to; doing that would mess up your sleep schedule. Going to bed at a time you usually do or a few hours earlier is necessary.

During the test:

Pace yourself

Don’t spend too much time on each question. Doing this would leave you rushing to fill in bubbles at the end since the test is timed.

Answer EVERY question

Answering every question is to your benefit, even if it means guessing. The ACT is scored by how many you get right.

Process of elimination

If you have no idea what the correct answer is, using process of elimination is one of the best ways to narrow it down. Getting rid of the answers that you know are incorrect will lead you to the correct answer. If you are stuck between two answers, make an educated guess. You have nothing to lose.

Never second-guess yourself

One thing that is extremely important coming into the ACT test is confidence. Without confidence, you probably won’t do well and this will lead to second guessing yourself. Choose the answer that is your first instinct and go with it. Chances are it is correct.