Taking the ACT is a major milestone for many high school students, often representing much more than just a three-hour test. It is a key that can open doors to dream colleges, scholarships, and even future career opportunities.
Yet, due to the high stakes involved, many students find themselves overwhelmed, second-guessing their strategies or burning out just weeks before test day.
This is where ACT tutors and educators like you play a crucial role. Besides teaching, you can help students shape theIr mindset and learn techniques to improve their performance.
In this article, we explore actionable tips and strategies that you can incorporate into your ACT tutoring sessions to help students approach the ACT with confidence.
Students preparing for the ACT are dealing with a lot more than academic challenges. They must navigate time pressures, manage nerves, and maintain focus across several rigorous sections.
Sharing effective strategies provides students with a framework they can rely on during the ACT. Test-day performance is as much about mindset and technique as it is about knowledge.
Customize your practice sessions, give detailed feedback, and simulate the experience with digital ACT testing platforms like EdisonOS to give your students every possible advantage.
Combining practice with strategy boosts student outcomes significantly, especially as the ACT has moved to a digital ACT format.
Before focusing on individual sections, it is important that students understand some universal principles. These foundational ACT tips from tutors can significantly improve overall performance.
Since the test is fast-paced, learning ACT time management tips influences a student’s score. Encourage students to time themselves so that it does not create unnecessary stress on test day.
If they find themselves stuck at a question for more than 30 seconds, they should make an educated guess and move forward. Encourage them to allocate time strategically by section. If a Reading passage has 10 questions and they have 8 minutes left until the test ends, that is less than a minute per question.
Regular timed practice with free ACT online practice tests will help them build an internal "test clock" that feels natural on the big day.
Since there is no penalty for wrong answers, students should never leave questions unanswered. Teach them how to eliminate clearly incorrect options to increase the odds of guessing correctly.
If they are running out of time, students should pick a "letter combination of the day" (like A/B or C/D) and follow it to fill in the remaining answer bubbles. They’re more likely to pick up points by being consistent in this manner.
Random guessing causes loss of points, whereas strategic guessing can save them.
Pre-test anxiety is real and it affects even the best-prepared students. Make sure the students are familiar with the ACT scoring chart to have a close idea of how their performance will be judged.
Encourage students to simulate testing conditions during practice and introduce simple techniques like deep breathing and positive self-talk. Breathing exercises sound cliché until you actually use them.
Introduce mindfulness exercises like deep breathing or visualization techniques during practice sessions. Something as simple as a three-minute calming routine before starting can significantly lower stress levels and boost focus when it matters most.
Academic preparation must be paired with personal readiness. Emphasize the importance of adequate sleep for at least a week before the test, not just the night before. A balanced breakfast high in protein and low on sugar on test day can also support better concentration and stamina.
Encourage students to mark tough questions on the test booklet and move on to the next one instead of wasting time trying to solve them. Later, they can return to it after answering the easier questions.
Bubbling answers is time-consuming if done parallely with solving the questions.
Rather than filling the bubbles on the answer sheet after each question, students should answer a page’s worth of questions first, mark the answers on the test booklet, and then transfer the answers in batches onto the answer sheet.
This reduces the back-and-forth motion and helps maintain test momentum.
Each section of the ACT has its own format and challenges. Providing students with unique strategies for each section can greatly enhance their readiness.
The English section tests students' grasp of grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. It rewards precision and adherence to standard English conventions.
Practicing with real ACT materials allows students to recognize patterns and become more efficient in identifying errors.
The Math section covers six question types: pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, trigonometry, plane geometry, and coordinate geometry. Students have 60 minutes to complete 60 questions, and therefore need to be able to perform quick, accurate calculations.
Integrating platforms like EdisonOS into practice sessions can help students identify patterns in mistakes and track their pacing for ongoing improvement.
The reading section demands fast comprehension and the ability to extract information efficiently under time pressure. There are four ACT reading passages of approximately 800 words each in this order:
For each passage, students have to answer 10 questions that test both what is directly stated as well as what is implied. Thus, they have to answer 40 questions in 35 minutes.
Consistent timed practice is key to building the endurance and reading speed necessary for success in this section.
The ACT Science section tends to intimidate students, but it primarily tests reading and interpretation skills rather than advanced scientific knowledge. Students have 35 minutes to answer 40 questions after reading 7 passages.
Using practice tests or digital platforms that mimic the ACT’s format helps students become comfortable interpreting complex visuals under timed conditions.
Learn more: The 7 Common ACT Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
In the final days before the ACT, strategic preparation is far more effective than last-minute cramming. At this stage, the focus should shift from intense study sessions to preserving mental sharpness, organizing logistics, and reinforcing confidence.
The night before the test:
On test day:
During the exam:
Effective ACT preparation is about more than content review; it is about giving students a set of reliable strategies they can apply under pressure. By incorporating clear, practical tips into your tutoring sessions, you provide students with a critical advantage: the ability to manage time, remain focused, and perform confidently on test day.
Tailor these strategies to meet the individual needs of your students, adjusting for their strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, leveraging advanced ACT preparation platforms like EdisonOS can support your efforts by offering targeted practice and detailed feedback.
Book a demo with EdisonOS here.
Focus on review, not new learning. At the last minute, students should concentrate on refreshing key formulas, skimming grammar rules, and practicing timing with a few short drills. Trying to cram new topics can cause unnecessary stress and confusion.
Practicing under real-life timed conditions is the best. Tutors can also create pacing charts for students (e.g., "You should be on Question 30 by Minute 45") and encourage "mark and move" habits during mock tests to sharpen instincts.
Yes, strategies, such as bubbling efficiently, managing nerves, or knowing when to guess, can easily add 2–5 points to a student's score. For students on the borderline of their target, these gains are crucial.
Students should study lightly the day before the ACT. They should focus on review, organizing materials, and mental relaxation. Heavy studying often leads to burnout. It is better to stay sharp and rested than be overloaded with new information.
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