When preparing for college admissions, I strongly suggest that you take both the SAT and the ACT. Many students score higher on the ACT, as it applies more to what you have learned in school, rather than just testing your ability to take a test.

I say this simply because I scored significantly higher on my ACT than on the SAT and qualified for a scholastic scholarship due simply to the addition of that test. Therefore, I highly suggest every student take the ACT and get some good study time in.

The ACT has four mandatory sections: English, Reading, Mathematics and Science. Additionally, there is an optional Writing test – take this test! If you score high enough, you will not have to take English 101 in college!

Here are some ACT test taking tips to remember:

• Answers the questions that are easiest for you first. Highlight the ones you skip and go back to them later.

• Don’t spend more than a minute or two on each question. If a question takes longer than that, circle it and come back to it at the end.

• Keep track of your time – try to divide it into 4 or 5 chunks of time.

• Answer every single question – even if you have no clue what the correct answer is. Usually, you have a 25% chance of being correct.

• Be sure to carefully fill-in your answers. Don’t hurt your score by filling in the right answer for the wrong question.

• Read all possible answers before making your selection – don’t just go with the first one you think is correct.

• On the same note as above, don’t second guess yourself too much. If it feels like the correct answer, go with it. But if you are having a hard time deciding, circle it and come back to it at the end.

The most important thing is to be prepared. It’s probably not a good idea to go to a party the night before or stay up all night watching movies. Additionally, don’t try to cram in studying the morning of the test, you don’t want to fry your brain before the test even begins.

Want help preparing for the ACT? Here are some great tutors to check out:

• Sandweiss Test Prep – ACT Preparation

• Tara Rogers – Score Higher on the ACT!

• Sheila Messick – SAT, ACT, GRE, WASL, English Test Prep

• Sarah Stobaugh – SAT and ACT Test Prep