How to Create a 3-Month ACT Study Plan

Developing a 3-month ACT study plan utilizing your starting score is an effective way to create a study plan targeting a predetermined score. A step-by-step approach helps you assess where you are strong, and come up with a plan for the areas you need to work on most. Here is a step-by-step approach that takes you through building your own study plan for the ACT.

Step 1: Understand Your Starting Score

The first step towards developing your study plan should be taking a full-length practice test so you can establish your starting score. This will also help you determine where you are currently and then identify what areas require improvement. The ACT has four sections – English, Math, Reading, and Science (which is now optional) – and the sections are scored on a scale from 1 to 36.

Complete a Practice Test:

If possible, take a real ACT practice test that is timed to have an accurate representation of your starting skill level.
After completing the test, you will review your results and determine which sections you did best and which sections you need the most work on.

Step 2: Determine Your Target Score

Your target score should be realistic, based on your current score and the amount of preparation time you have remaining. Selecting a target score should be focused on a score that is ambitious yet achievable.

Tips to consider when selecting your target score:

Expect to improve between 3-5 points over the course of three months, which would be realistic for most students.
Also, be mindful of the score requirements of the universities you are applying to. Check to see the average ACT score of students accepted to your preferred universities.

Step 3: Break Down the ACT Sections

The ACT is divided into four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each section tests different skills, so your study plan should focus on the areas where you need the most improvement.

English

What It Tests: Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills.
Study Tips:
- Review grammar rules (subject-verb agreement, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.).
- Practice identifying errors in sample sentences.
- Take practice tests and review explanations for each question.

Math

What It Tests: Algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and basic arithmetic.
Study Tips:
- Focus on areas of weakness (e.g., if you struggle with algebra, dedicate more time to practicing those problems).
- Practice solving equations, working with functions, and interpreting graphs.
- Memorize key formulas that appear frequently on the ACT.
- Work through timed practice problems to build speed and accuracy.

Reading

What Is Being Tested: Reading comprehension and analysis of a passage.

Study Tips:

Use active reading strategies (underline key concepts; write brief notes and so on).
Read passages quickly to acquire the main idea, tone, and purpose of the author.
Practice reading passages that have sample reading sections, and take notes of your pace while practicing.

Science

What Is Being Tested: Scientific reasoning, data interpretation, and analysis.

Study Tips:

Be familiar with different graphs and tables.
Pay attention to how you can quickly identify relevant information in passages.
Practice science reasoning questions because they will typically test whether you can interpret an experiment or determine the conclusion based on data.

Step 4: Set Weekly Study Goals

We want to make sure you are studying consistently and working on every aspect of your ACT test preparation. To do so, you should break your three-month study plan down into weekly goals, and every week, you’ll assign time to work on a different area of your ACT preparation.

Weekly Plan Example:

Monday – English: Review grammar rules, correct sentences, and complete a timed practice section.
Tuesday – Math: Review your math topics (i.e. Algebra, Geometry), do practice problems, and reinforce your formulas.
Wednesday – Reading: Time yourself as you practice reading comprehension with practice sections. Identify strategies to increase your reading speed.
Thursday – Science: Work on data analysis questions, practice interpretation of charts, and sharpen your scientific reasoning skills.
Friday – Full-Length Practice Test: Every two weeks, take all of the practice tests to see your progress and identify your weaknesses.
Saturday/Sunday – Review any mistakes you made in the practice tests, and work on your weaknesses. You could also incorporate some breaks from studying and some lighter review activities.

Step 5: Time Management

One of the biggest challenges of the ACT is completing each section in the allotted time. To prevent any last-minute panic while taking the ACT, practice pacing yourself throughout your study.

Timed Practice: During practice tests and for shorter individual sections, time yourself often.
Work on Pacing: Put together a plan for how to keep yourself on pace and not spend too long on each specific question.

Step 6: Track Progress

While going through your study plan, you should be assessing your progress frequently. Take a full-length practice test every 2-3 weeks to evaluate your progress. Use your practice test results to decide how to adjust your study plan. If test scores are improving in one section, perhaps focus some of that time toward the areas that need improving.

Step 7: Final Month: Refine and Review

In this last month before the test, spend your time refining. Spend your time practicing and refining your skills through practice tests. Review mistakes, refine pacing, and continue practicing from the ACT practice tests using the real ACT test question.

Last 2 Weeks: Take full-length tests weekly, with review prior to each test. Try to focus on mental prep and avoiding overstressing.

Last Week: Lightly review/test strategy. Don’t overdo it as you approach the end. Make sure you are in a totally ready mental state for the big test to come.

Step 8: Day of Test Preparation

Sleep: Ensure you get proper sleep the night before the test.

Breakfast: Consuming a healthy breakfast the day of the test will help your brain perform better.

Materials: Be sure to study the list you have been provided that shows the materials you need (ID, entrance card, pencils, etc.).

Conclusion: Stay Consistent and Positive

A realistic 3 – month ACT Study Plan can only be accomplished if approached in a focused and targeted way. If you target and work on your areas of weakness, actively and often, and track your progress, you can make improvements and achieve your target score. For the sake of your studying, continue to be consistent in your studying, and remember to take care of yourself (mentally and physically) during this preparation time.

Good luck!

How The Princeton Review Can Assist You In Creating A 3-Month ACT Study Plan Based on Your Starting Score

The Princeton Review is one of many premier test prep organizations with plenty of resources to help students prep for the ACT, whether that means taking the ACT for the first time or trying to improve your score. The Princeton Review offers powerful resources for the development of a customized 3-month ACT study plan. So, here is how The Princeton Review can help you develop your 3-month ACT study plan:

1. Customized Study Plan from Your Foundational Score

One of the greatest advantages that the Princeton Review offers is a customized study plan. Once you take a diagnostic test, we can assess your current skill set in different areas and will provide you with a personalized plan that reflects your strengths and weaknesses. We divide it into a few easy sections:

Diagnostic Test: The Princeton Review provides free diagnostic tests or assessments that will mirror the actual ACT (non-retail tests). The diagnostic assessments will give you an idea of how you did in each section: English, Math, Reading, and Science.
Customized Plan: Once you have taken the diagnostic test, we will create a study plan and schedule where you will focus on the sections you need the most work on, as well as strengthen the areas you are good at.
Target Score: We will also help you to set target scores based on where you started and how much time you have before your test.

2. Instruction and Resources from Experts

The Princeton Review offers access to professionals and experienced instructors who understand all aspects of the ACT. Here are just a few examples of how we can help:

ACT Experts: Our instructors have mastered ACT strategies and have insight into test-taking skills and strategies. Whether it’s pacing, understanding difficult questions, or accuracy, instruction will be centered around you!
Live Class and In-Person Instruction: Attend either online live classes or in-person instructional sessions conveniently scheduled around your availability. You will be led through all sections of the ACT and create your own test-taking strategies centred around time management in each section when attending live sessions.
Interactive Tools: The online portal for your study resources consists of quizzes, lessons, and practice problems that are interactive and personalized. They can be accessed whenever available, and you work through the personalised study plan!

3. Targeted Practice and Focused Strategies

Targeted practice is one of the best parts of The Princeton Review’s program. We additionally provide students access to tons of practice questions and tests so students can get comfortable with the ACT format and question types. Here’s what that looks like:

ACT Practice Tests: The Princeton Review has practice tests that are high quality and are full length. The practice tests help you to measure your progress over the 3 months. You will have overview of the correct answers to your prior practice tests that come with explanations of the answers and ways to approach future questions similar to the ones in the practice tests.
Timed practice sessions: You can practice in a timed situation, so you complete each section of the ACT on test day.
Targeted section review: If you are struggling with targeted sections, such as Math or Reading on the ACT, you will engage in targeted practice drills provided by the Princeton Review.

4. Adaptive Learning Technology

At The Princeton Review, we adapt our learning technology to help hone in on your weaknesses. Being tech-based, it keeps you focused on maximizing your study time.

Smart Review System: It automatically shifts based on your progress and adjusts the difficulty and the types of questions you’re seeing. It’ll keep you appropriately challenged, but not too challenged.
Performance Evolution: Our systems will show you a snapshot of your performance over time, showing you what you have gotten better at and what areas still need work. This is useful data to help fine-tune, adjust, and iterate on your 3-month study plan, so that you are always moving in the right direction.

5. Comprehensive Content Review

During the three months preceding your test, The Princeton Review will help you hone your skills through comprehensive content review. This is particularly helpful if you need to go back to foundational, basic concepts or develop your understanding of specific subjects.

Content Review by Subject: It doesn’t matter if you need to refresh your trigonometry skills for Math, revisit reading comprehension techniques for reading, or remediate grammar rules for English and writing. The Princeton Review has content reviews by subject for each ACT section.
Strategy Review: We don’t just do content review, we also teach you strategies on how to take each section effectively. For example, we will teach you how to eliminate wrong answers in the reading and science sections or use the process of elimination (PoE technique) to increase your score.

6. Options To Fit Every Learning Style

Whether you prefer the flexibility of studying at your own pace or in a structured live instruction setting, The Princeton Review offers you options:

Self-Paced Online Courses: If you are juggling a lot in your schedule, self-paced online courses are great for schedules packed to the brim. Self-paced online courses offer you the flexibility to take your courses on your time. Self-paced online courses include access to video lessons, practice tests, and quizzes whenever you need them.
Live Online Classes: If you prefer a rigid structure to your study, The Princeton Review offers live online classes that are taught in real-time by instructors. In a live online class you can ask questions and communicate with an instructor and other students.
Private Tutoring: If one-on-one is what you crave, The Princeton Review offers private tutoring services. This is perfect if someone wants extra assistance honing and focusing on specific weak areas or is seeking attention individualized towards their learning.

7. Test Day Strategies and Mental Readiness

In the weeks leading up to the ACT, mental readiness is equally important to content preparation. Princeton Review offers test-taking strategies as well as ideas for maintaining calm during stressful situations:

Time Management Strategies: We give you step-by-step guidance on effective pacing on your test and strategies to avoid blanking/stalling on difficult questions.
Test Day Plan: You will have smart suggestions on what to bring with you, how to plan your test day, and strategies to manage test anxiety.
Practice Mindset Strategies: You will learn strategies to stay calm, focused, and maximize performance to overcome anxiety while taking the ACT.

Conclusion: How The Princeton Review Completes Your 3-Month Study Plan

Using services and materials from The Princeton Review, you can study for the ACT in a systematic, individualized, and holistic manner with each resource or support that enhances your ACT preparation! Diagnostic exams, individual study plans, instructional support, adaptive learning technology, or any combination of flexible learning options are only a part of the reasons The Princeton Review is your partner in preparing for the test.

Adding this support to your 3-month study plan gives you everything needed to increase your score and confidence, as you work toward your ACT target score. The Princeton Review is there for you, whether you are starting your preparation for the ACT or trying to sharpen your skills for incremental improvement to achieve your best score.

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How to Create a 3-Month ACT Study Plan Based on Your Starting Score