If you’ve ever changed an answer on a multiple-choice test only to find out your first choice was right, you’re not alone. On the ACT, where every point counts, knowing when to trust your gut versus when to rethink a question can make a real difference in your score.
Let’s talk about how to strike the right balance—and stop sabotaging your own success.
The “First Instinct” Myth… or Truth?
You’ve probably heard people say, “Always go with your first instinct.” And there’s some truth to that—but it’s not a blanket rule. Studies have shown that test-takers often do change wrong answers to right ones. The key is knowing why you’re changing your answer.
Trust Your Gut When:
- You instantly recognize the correct answer. If a choice jumps out at you and you’re confident, go with it.
- You’ve practiced a ton and recognize the question type or pattern. Your gut is informed by experience.
- You’re running out of time. Don’t overthink it—your gut is better than a wild guess.
When Second-Guessing Is Actually Smart
Changing your answer isn’t always bad. In fact, it’s often the right move—if you have a good reason.
Change Your Answer If:
- You remember a rule or strategy that contradicts your first choice.
- You notice a detail in the question you missed the first time.
- Your first answer was a guess, and now you’ve had time to reason through it.
Just don’t let doubt alone drive the decision. If you’re changing an answer simply because it “doesn’t feel right,” and you can’t explain why—pause.
How to Train Your Gut
Confidence doesn’t come out of nowhere—it comes from preparation. The more you study ACT strategies and review real test questions, the more accurate your instincts will become.
Try This:
- Take timed practice tests and track how often your first answer was right.
- Review answer changes and write down why you made them—right or wrong.
- Reflect honestly. Are you changing answers because you’re smarter than the question—or just second-guessing yourself?
Quick Decision Guide: Trust or Change?
Here’s a simple flowchart to help in the moment:
Step 1: Do you have a specific reason to change your answer (a rule, realization, or reread question)?
→ YES → Change it.
→ NO → Stick with your first choice.
Step 2: Are you changing because you’re unsure or anxious?
→ YES → Don’t change. Trust your gut.
→ NO → If it’s based on logic, go ahead.
Bottom Line
Your gut is only as good as your preparation. If you’ve put in the time, your instincts can be a powerful tool. Trust them—but don’t let them lead you blindly. The key is knowing why you’re making a choice.
Next time you’re stuck between two answers, stop and ask yourself:
Am I changing this because I know something I didn’t before—or just because I’m doubting myself?
That one question might save you a handful of points—and possibly your dream score.
Absolutely! Here’s a detailed blog post titled “How The Princeton Review Can Assist You In Understanding When to Trust Your Gut on the ACT”, tailored to blend actionable advice with promotional support for The Princeton Review.
How The Princeton Review Can Assist You In Understanding When to Trust Your Gut on the ACT
Mastering the ACT isn’t just about knowing facts—it’s about learning how to make fast, confident decisions under pressure. One of the biggest test-day challenges students face? Second-guessing themselves.
Should you go with your first answer? Should you change it? When do you trust your instincts—and when do you override them?
That’s where The Princeton Review can help. Through expert guidance, strategic practice, and personalized feedback, The Princeton Review equips you not only with the academic tools to ace the test, but also the test-taking intuition that separates good scores from great ones.
Let’s break down exactly how.
1. Strategy-Focused ACT Prep: Build Smarter Instincts
The Princeton Review doesn’t just teach content—it teaches strategy. Knowing the material is essential, but understanding how to apply it on a high-pressure, timed test is what actually builds confident instincts.
This strategic thinking becomes the foundation of your test-day “gut.” You’re not guessing—you’re recognizing patterns you’ve trained on.
2. Realistic Practice: Simulate the Pressure
You can’t trust your instincts if they’ve never been tested.
By taking ACT practice under real conditions, your decision-making gets sharper. Over time, your “gut” decisions are based on experience, not panic.
You’ll begin to know:
- When to trust your first instinct
- When to take a second look
- When overthinking is hurting more than helping
3. Expert Feedback: Learn from Every Answer
One of the biggest benefits of The Princeton Review’s programs is the individualized review process. After every practice test, you don’t just get a score—you get a breakdown of your habits, strengths, and blind spots.
This includes:
- When and where you changed answers
- Whether those changes helped or hurt
- Trends in second-guessing across subjects
That kind of insight is game-changing. It helps you see whether you’re being too hesitant—or too quick to switch your answers. And most importantly, it shows you how to adjust your approach before the real thing.
4. Personalized Coaching: Build Confidence, Not Confusion
Sometimes, second-guessing comes from self-doubt, not a lack of knowledge.
With The Princeton Review’s one-on-one tutoring and small-group classes, you get direct access to instructors who help you:
- Identify when your instincts are reliable
- Work through specific content that causes uncertainty
- Rebuild confidence in tricky areas like ACT Science or Reading
You don’t just study—you learn how to believe in your ACT preparation.
5. Proven Results: Thousands of Students, Same Story
Students who prep with The Princeton Review often say the same thing:
“I stopped overthinking. I learned to trust myself.”
And the data backs it up. The Princeton Review has helped thousands of students:
- Boost scores by 4–6 points or more
- Reduce test anxiety
- Walk into the ACT feeling calm, ready, and in control
Final Thoughts: Gut Feeling, Backed by Strategy
Trusting your gut on the ACT isn’t about guessing—it’s about making informed decisions quickly and confidently. That ability doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built through smart practice, honest review, and the right guidance.
The Princeton Review gives you all three.
So if you’re tired of second-guessing, and ready to start scoring like a pro, it might be time to train not just your brain—but your instincts.