This is a blog in which you will get complete information about Boost Your ACT English Score. The ACT English section is a defining element of the exam, presenting 75 questions to be addressed in just 45 minutes while assessing your proficiency in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical precision. As a substantial contributor to your composite ACT score, it serves as a critical indicator of your readiness for college-level work, influencing admissions decisions at top institutions. More than a test of technical ability, it hones the essential communication skills that underpin academic achievement and professional growth.
At The Princeton Review Singapore, we recognize its importance and have distilled success into five clear, practical steps. Our approach is rooted in targeted strategies, consistent practice, and a deep understanding of the section’s core principles equips you to not only meet the challenge but exceed expectations, ensuring you approach test day with the preparation and poise needed to elevate your score.
5 Simple Steps to Boost Your ACT English Score
Step 1: Build a Solid Foundation in Key Grammar Rules
The ACT English section is highly predictable in the types of grammar and usage rules it tests. Rather than trying to learn everything, focus your energy on mastering the most frequently tested concepts. These include:
- Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure verbs match their subjects in number, especially in complex or compound sentences.
- Example: “The list of items is on the desk.” (“List” is singular, not “items.”)
- Verb Tense Consistency: Maintain consistent verb tense within sentences and paragraphs.
- Example: “She studied hard and earned a scholarship.” (Both verbs are past tense.)
- Pronoun Clarity and Agreement: Be sure pronouns clearly refer to the correct noun and agree in number and gender.
- Example: “Each student must bring his or her ID card.”
- Punctuation: Pay close attention to commas, apostrophes, colons, and semicolons. The ACT often tests whether punctuation is used appropriately for sentence structure.
- Example: Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses: “The storm passed; the skies cleared.”
- Modifiers and Parallelism: Sentences should be logically constructed, with modifiers placed correctly and lists maintaining parallel structure.
- Example: “She enjoys reading, writing, and sketching.” (All verbs follow the same -ing form.)
By concentrating on these core topics, you’ll gain the confidence and skill needed to handle the majority of questions that appear on the test.
Step 2: Familiarize Yourself with the ACT English Section Format
Understanding the structure of the ACT English section is half the battle. You’ll encounter five passages, each accompanied by 15 questions, making a total of 75 questions in 45 minutes. The questions fall into two major categories:
- Usage and Mechanics (Grammar & Punctuation): These test your knowledge of language rules.
- Rhetorical Skills (Style & Strategy): These ask you to improve sentence clarity, choose the most effective wording, or decide whether a sentence should be added, revised, or deleted.
Knowing this format allows you to predict what types of questions will appear and allocate your time accordingly. Practice navigating between grammatical and rhetorical questions so you don’t get stuck on one type.
Additionally, learn to distinguish between questions that require local focus (a single sentence) versus global questions that require understanding the passage as a whole. This strategic awareness will help you move through the section more efficiently.
Step 3: Read for Context, Not Just for Corrections
Many students focus only on the underlined portion of the text, thinking that’s all they need to evaluate. This approach leads to missed clues and incorrect answers.
Instead, read the full sentence and when needed the surrounding sentences. ACT questions often test:
- Whether a transition fits logically in the flow of ideas.
- Whether a pronoun has a clear antecedent.
- Whether a sentence contributes meaningfully to the paragraph.
Example: If the underlined portion is “However, the team won the game,” you must check whether the contrast word “however” fits the overall context. Does it follow a negative or positive idea? If the previous sentence says, “They had trained hard all season,” then “however” might be incorrect.
Understanding the full context allows you to choose answers that make the writing clear, concise, and coherent exactly what the ACT is designed to assess.
Step 4: Use Strategic Elimination to Narrow Down Your Options
The ACT often presents four answer choices that look similar, making it easy to second-guess yourself. Here’s where elimination becomes your best friend. Start by:
- Crossing out grammatically incorrect answers (e.g., subject-verb mismatches, misplaced modifiers).
- Removing redundant or wordy options the ACT favours concise and direct language.
- Eliminating awkward or unclear phrasing even if it’s grammatically correct, poor style is a valid reason to reject an option.
When you’re torn between two choices, ask yourself:
“Which version is clearer, more concise, and better suited to the tone and flow of the passage?”
Tip: If “No Change” is one of the options, don’t automatically assume it’s correct or incorrect. Read it critically and compare it fairly with the alternatives.
Effective elimination not only boosts your accuracy it also reduces time spent debating between options.
Step 5: Practice with Purpose Under Real Test Conditions
Practice is important, but how you practice makes all the difference. Many students do grammar drills or occasional quizzes, but real improvement comes from simulated practice:
- Use full-length ACT English practice sections and complete them within 45 minutes.
- Review your mistakes thoroughly. Don’t just note what you got wrong understand why the correct answer is better.
- Track recurring errors. If you consistently struggle with comma usage or pronoun clarity, focus your study sessions on those areas.
Time management is a major factor in the ACT English section. Practicing under timed conditions improves your pacing, sharpens your instincts, and prepares you for the real test day experience.
At The Princeton Review Singapore, we offer structured practice tests, expert feedback, and targeted lessons to help students achieve consistent score gains.
Conclusion: Structured Preparation Leads to Stronger Scores
Achieving a high score in the ACT English section requires more than just basic grammar knowledge. It demands a clear understanding of the test format, the ability to identify and correct common errors, and the discipline to practice consistently under time constraints. The five steps discussed above provide a practical framework for students aiming to improve both accuracy and pacing. By applying these strategies with intention and consistency, you can gain a significant advantage on test day.
However, effective preparation often requires expert guidance and that’s where we come in.
How The Princeton Review Singapore Helps You Improve Your ACT English Score
Preparing for the ACT English section requires more than just routine practice it demands clarity of concept, familiarity with test patterns, and a focused approach to improvement. At The Princeton Review Singapore, we understand these requirements and offer a structured preparation plan designed to meet them effectively.
Our ACT English program is built on the following key principles:
- Concept-Focused Teaching: We concentrate on the core grammar rules, punctuation conventions, and rhetorical strategies most commonly tested, so you gain a solid foundation and can apply concepts accurately under pressure.
- Efficient Strategy Training: Our methods are rooted in experience and results. We teach students how to approach questions systematically whether it’s identifying redundancies, correcting shifts in tense, or choosing the most concise expression.
- Insightful Diagnostics: Every student begins with a comprehensive diagnostic test. The results help us assess their current level and design a study plan that addresses specific weaknesses while reinforcing strengths.
- Exam-Like Practice: Timed, instructor-led practice tests simulate the actual testing environment. These sessions are designed to help students adjust to real-time pressure while refining accuracy and pacing.
- Ongoing Evaluation and Mentoring: Students receive regular performance reports, targeted assignments, and individual support from instructors. This ensures steady progress and keeps preparation aligned with individual goals.
Backed by over 40 years of experience and global presence across 17 countries, The Princeton Review has helped millions of students succeed in standardized tests. Our Singapore centre brings that same legacy to local students combining global expertise with personalized attention.
If you are serious about improving your ACT English score, our program provides the right environment, structure, and support to help you get there.
Explore your potential with The Princeton Review Singapore and prepare with purpose — from expert SAT and AP exam preparation to personalized tutoring and admission support, we’re here to guide your journey to top universities.