ACT 36 in Just 7 Steps

Maria Filsinger attended public schools and is joining the Stanford Class of 2016 in Palo Alto this September. A self-taught ACT expert, Maria scored a perfect 36 on the exam. She is currently employed as a long-term private academic tutor and provides instructions for her students in all subject areas covered on the ACT exam. Shaan Patel currently attends the eight-year dual-degree Baccalaureate/MD program at the University of Southern California. A self-taught SAT expert, Shaan scored a perfect 2400 on the exam. He is the founder of TheExamExpert.com, a free online SAT preparation resource.

Four key principles
Principle 1 · Learn 36 Strategies
Principle 2 · Study 36 Examples
Principle 3 · Complete 36 Practice Problem Sets
Principle 4 · Concentrate on 36 Review
The ACT: the basics
What is the ACT?
Why does the ACT exist?
What are the differences between the ACT and the SAT?
What is the format of the ACT?
How many questions are there on the ACT?
How long does the exam take?
How is the exam scored?
How often is the ACT administered?
How much does it cost?
How do I register?
How important is the ACT?
How many times should I take the ACT?
How is the ACT reported?
What is the TIR?
Should I take the ACT Writing test?
What is the PLAN?
What about special circumstances?
The truth about the ACT
Essential materials
General ACT preparation
Take a diagnostic exam
Work together: 36 Practice and 36 Review
Step 1 · Learn 36 Strategies
Step 2 · Complete an ACT practice section
Step 3 · Score your ACT practice section
Step 4 · Check questions you answered correctly
Step 5 · Check questions you answered incorrectly
Step 6 · Complete your 36 Review
Step 7 · Repeat steps 1 to 6
When to prepare
The 36 six-phase schedule
A consistent schedule
Where to prepare
What to memorize
Physical and mental health
General 36 Strategies
General 36 Strategy 1 · Practice how to take the ACT
General 36 Strategy 2 · Write it all down
General 36 Strategy 3 · Bubble one page at a time
General 36 Strategy 4 · Skip and return
General 36 Strategy 5 · Always guess—always
Extra tips and tricks
1 Prepare for ACT English
Stats
Breaking down ACT English
English 36 Strategies
English 36 Strategy 1 · Say it out loud (well, not really)
English 36 Strategy 2 · Eliminate choices you know are wrong
English 36 Strategy 3 · Don’t forget about “NO CHANGE” and “DELETE”
English 36 Strategy 4 · Shorter is sweeter
English 36 Strategy 5 · Read and answer as you go
Categories
Usage/mechanics (53%)
Punctuation
Grammar/usage
Sentence structure
Rhetorical skills (47%)
Strategy
Organization
Style
2 Prepare for ACT Math
Stats
Breaking down ACT Math
Logistics
Timing
Using a calculator
Mathematical concepts
Topics covered
Scoring
Basic math
Order of operations
Distribution
Even and odd numbers
Positive and negative numbers
Integers
Real and rational numbers
Pre-algebra
Number problems
Square roots
Exponents
Scientific notation
Factors and multiples
Ratio, proportion, and percentage
Linear equations
Absolute value and ordering
Mean, median, and mode
Probability
Data representation
Elementary algebra
Substitution
Using variables to express relationships
Algebraic operations and inequalities
Factoring
Intermediate algebra
Roots of polynomials
The quadratic formula
Radicals and radical expressions
Absolute values in equations
Sequences and patterns
Functions
Matrices
Complex numbers
Logarithms
Coordinate geometry
Points and lines
Polynomials
Circles
Graphing inequalities
Slope
Parallel and perpendicular lines
Distance and midpoints
Conics
Plane geometry
Angles
Circles
Triangles and the Pythagorean theorem
Polygons
Transformations
Volume and 3-D geometry
Trigonometry
SOHCAHTOA
Values and properties of trigonometric functions
Graphing trigonometric functions
Trigonometric identities
Solving trigonometric equations
Math 36 Strategies
Math 36 Strategy 1 · Write it down
Math 36 Strategy 2 · Draw a picture
Math 36 Strategy 3 · Perform a sanity check
Math 36 Strategy 4 · Don’t trust your eyes
Math 36 Strategy 5 · Target the unknown
Math 36 Strategy 6 · Use your calculator—last
Math 36 Strategy 7 · Don’t be afraid to take the first step
Math 36 Strategy 8 · When in doubt, test it out
Equations to memorize
Intermediate algebra
Coordinate geometry
Plane geometry
Trigonometry
3 Prepare for ACT Reading
Stats
Breaking down ACT Reading
General strategy
Timing
The high school difference
Literal vs. critical thinking
Skills tested
Reading 36 Strategies
Reading 36 Strategy 1 · Write your own answer down first
Reading 36 Strategy 2 · Skim it to win it
Reading 36 Strategy 3 · Read actively
Reading 36 Strategy 4 · Don’t defend the choices—attack
Reading 36 Strategy 5 · Don’t assume
Reading 36 Strategy 6 · Avoid extremes
Reading 36 Strategy 7 · Choose general over specific
Reading 36 Strategy 8 · Mark it up
Subject-specific strategies
Prose fiction
Social sciences
Natural sciences
Humanities
4 Prepare for ACT Science
Stats
Breaking down ACT Science
Science 36 Strategies
Data representation
Science 36 Strategy 1 · Go straight to the questions in data representation
Science 36 Strategy 2 · Look for trends
Science 36 Strategy 3 · Know your graphs
Research summaries
Science 36 Strategy 4 · Go straight to the questions in research summaries
Science 36 Strategy 5 · Look for keywords in research summaries
Science 36 Strategy 6 · Focus on similarities and differences in research summaries
Conflicting viewpoints
Science 36 Strategy 7 · Mark the passage
Science 36 Strategy 8 · Look for keywords in conflicting viewpoints
Science 36 Strategy 9 · Focus on similarities and differences in conflicting viewpoints
Science 36 Strategy 10 · Don’t be intimidated
Additional tips
Timing
ACT 36 General Strategy
The “not enough information” choice
When to skip a passage
5 Prepare for ACT Writing
Stats
Breaking down ACT Writing
Scoring the ACT essay
ACT Writing score sheet
The essay topic
Writing 36 Strategies
Writing 36 Strategy 1 · Master the five-paragraph essay format
Template for the five-paragraph essay
Writing 36 Strategy 2 · Pace yourself
Writing 36 Strategy 3 · Use vocabulary to your advantage
Writing 36 Strategy 4 · Fill the space
Writing 36 Strategy 5 · Stay active
Writing 36 Strategy 6 · Transition smoothly
Writing 36 Strategy 7 · Don’t get personal
Writing 36 Strategy 8 · Plan, plan, plan
6 Practice a full-length ACT exam
Answer sheets
Section 1 · English
Section 2 · Mathematics
Section 3 · Reading
Section 4 · Science
Section 5 · Writing
7 Review the ACT practice exam
Section 1 · English
Section 2 · Mathematics
Section 3 · Reading
Section 4 · Science
Section 5 · Writing
Guide to scoring the ACT exam
Raw scores
Scaled scores
Composite score
Reminders for exam day