Forget Generic Advice — These Tips Come From the Trenches
Every ACT guide tells you to “practice more” and “manage your time.” That’s like telling someone who wants to run a marathon to “run more” and “go faster.”
Technically correct. Practically useless.
The tips in this guide are different. They come from tutors who’ve spent thousands of hours sitting across from Singapore students, watching them make mistakes in real-time, and discovering exactly what fixes those mistakes.
Not theory. Not textbook advice. Battle-tested techniques from professionals who obsess over ACT scores for a living.
Every tip here has been proven through real student outcomes. Every strategy has been refined through years of ACT test preparation coaching. And every recommendation is specific enough that you can implement it in your next practice session.
Ready for tips that actually work? Let’s go.
The Foundation Tips: What Every Student Must Know First
Before diving into section-specific strategies, these foundational principles apply across the entire ACT.
Tip 1: Stop Studying What You’re Already Good At
This is the single most impactful behavioural change a student can make.
The pattern we see constantly: A student scoring 32 in Math and 24 in Reading spends Saturday afternoon doing Math practice because it feels rewarding. Their Reading score barely moves over 8 weeks.
The fix: Calculate your “points available” per section.
| Section | Current Score | Target | Points Available |
| Math | 32 | 33 | 1 |
| Reading | 24 | 29 | 5 |
Where should you spend your time? Obviously Reading. Yet most students do the opposite because struggling feels uncomfortable and succeeding feels good.
“I tell my students — if practice feels comfortable, you’re practising the wrong thing.”
— James L., ACT tutor, 9 years experience
Tip 2: Never Leave a Question Blank
The ACT has zero penalty for wrong answers. Every blank answer is a guaranteed zero. Every guess has a 20–25% chance of being correct.
The math is simple:
- 10 blank answers = 0 potential points
- 10 guessed answers = statistically 2–3 correct answers
Over an entire test, strategic guessing on questions you’d otherwise leave blank can add 1–2 raw points per section.
Advanced guessing strategy from tutors:
When you have zero idea, don’t randomly guess. Use “letter of the day” — pick one letter (say, B) and use it for ALL guessed answers. Statistically, this clusters your guesses and slightly improves your odds compared to random letter selection.
Tip 3: The 30-Second Rule
Veteran tutors swear by this technique:
If you’ve spent 30 seconds on a question and have no clear path to the answer — mark it, guess, and move on.
Spending 90 seconds on one hard question means losing 60 seconds that could have answered two easier questions correctly.
Hard questions and easy questions are worth exactly the same points. Collect the easy points first. Come back for hard ones if time remains.
English Tips: Where Quick Wins Live
English is the fastest section to improve and the most underinvested section in typical ACT test preparation. These tutor-backed tips can boost your English score by 3–5 points within weeks.
Tip 4: The “Delete Test” for Wordy Answers
When choosing between two answer options that seem equally correct, pick the shorter one.
The ACT consistently rewards conciseness. If an underlined phrase can be replaced by a shorter phrase that conveys the same meaning, the shorter version is almost always correct.
Example:
- Option A: “The reason why she decided to leave was because she was tired”
- Option B: “She left because she was tired”
Answer: B. Shorter, cleaner, same meaning.
“I tell students — if you can delete words without losing meaning, the ACT wants you to delete them.”
— Rachel T., ACT English specialist, 7 years experience
Tip 5: The “Period Test” for Comma Questions
Unsure whether a comma is correct? Try replacing it with a period.
- If both sides can stand as complete sentences → use a period or semicolon, NOT a comma
- If one side is a fragment → the comma might be appropriate
This simple test eliminates comma splice errors — one of the most frequently tested grammar concepts.
Tip 6: “NO CHANGE” Is Correct About 25% of the Time
Many students are suspicious of “NO CHANGE” answers and avoid them. Don’t.
Statistically, “NO CHANGE” is the correct answer approximately one-quarter of the time — exactly as often as any other option. If the original text sounds correct and follows grammar rules, trust it.
Tip 7: Read the Question AFTER Reading the Underlined Portion in Context
Many students read the question first, then look at the underlined text. Reverse this.
Read the full sentence with the underlined portion first. Often, the error jumps out at you before you even read the options. This saves time and increases accuracy.
Math Tips: Protecting and Maximising Your Score
Singapore students typically score well in Math. These tips help protect that advantage and squeeze out extra points.
Tip 8: Backsolve Before You Solve
What is backsolving? Plugging answer choices back into the problem to see which one works.
When to use it:
- Word problems with numerical answer choices
- Algebra problems that would require complex manipulation
- Any problem where setting up the equation feels harder than testing options
Example:
“If 3x + 7 = 22, what is x?”
Instead of solving algebraically:
- Try x = 5: 3(5) + 7 = 22 ✓
Done in 10 seconds instead of 30.
“My students who backsolve consistently save 5–8 minutes on the Math section. That’s 5–8 extra minutes to check work or attempt hard questions.”
— David K., ACT Math tutor, 11 years experience
Tip 9: Draw It Even When They Don’t Ask You To
Many ACT Math questions describe geometric situations without providing a diagram.
Always draw your own diagram. Even a rough sketch makes spatial relationships visible and prevents misinterpretation.
Students who draw diagrams on geometry word problems answer correctly 30–40% more often than those who try to solve purely in their heads.
Tip 10: The “Too Good to Be True” Trap
On difficult questions (typically questions 45–60), if an answer seems obviously correct and requires minimal work — be suspicious.
Hard questions are designed to have tempting wrong answers. The obvious-looking choice is often the trap. Verify before selecting.
Tip 11: Know When to Use Your Calculator (And When Not To)
Use your calculator for:
- Complex multiplication and division
- Trigonometric calculations
- Checking algebraic solutions
- Graphing functions to visualise answers
Don’t use your calculator for:
- Simple arithmetic (faster mentally)
- Problems that can be solved by estimation
- Questions asking for expressions rather than numerical values
Over-reliance on calculators actually slows students down because typing takes longer than thinking for simple operations.
Reading Tips: The Section That Makes or Breaks 30+
Reading is where the most points are won and lost for Singapore students. These ACT test preparation tips specifically target the challenges our students face.
Tip 12: The Goldilocks Pacing Strategy
Most students read too carefully (running out of time) or too quickly (missing key details). The solution is calibrated pacing.
The Goldilocks breakdown per passage (8 min 45 sec total):
| Phase | Time | What You Do |
| Skim passage | 2:30 | Read first/last sentences of each paragraph. Get the main idea. |
| Answer specific questions | 4:00 | Detail, vocabulary, and line-reference questions first. |
| Answer broad questions | 2:15 | Main idea, tone, and purpose questions last. |
“Students who learn this timing structure improve their Reading score by 2–3 points within two weeks — without learning any new content.”
— Priya S., ACT Reading specialist, 6 years experience
Tip 13: The “Proof” Requirement
Before selecting any Reading answer, point to the specific line in the passage that proves it.
- If you can point to proof → likely correct
- If you can’t point to proof → likely wrong
- If the proof is vague or requires assumption → probably a trap answer
This discipline eliminates the most common Reading error: choosing answers that feel right but aren’t supported by text.
Tip 14: Wrong Answers Have Patterns
ACT Reading wrong answers follow predictable templates:
| Wrong Answer Type | What It Looks Like |
| Too extreme | Uses words like “always,” “never,” “completely,” “all” |
| Opposite meaning | Says the reverse of what the passage states |
| True but irrelevant | Factually correct but doesn’t answer THIS question |
| Half right | First part is correct, second part is wrong |
| Outside knowledge | Requires information not in the passage |
Train yourself to identify these patterns. Once you can name the trap type, you stop falling for it.
Tip 15: Passage Type Determines Your Strategy
Not all passages should be read the same way.
| Passage Type | Strategy | Why |
| Natural Science | Read data/facts quickly; focus on structure | Information is dense but organised logically |
| Social Science | Note the author’s argument; track evidence | Questions often ask about reasoning and evidence |
| Prose Fiction | Pay attention to character emotions and relationships | Questions focus on motivation and tone |
| Humanities | Identify the central theme early | Abstract passages need an anchor point |
At Test prep online with The Princeton Review Singapore, we train students to adjust their reading approach based on passage type — because a one-size-fits-all strategy leaves points on the table.
Science Tips: Unlocking Your Hidden Advantage
The Science section is where Singapore students should dominate — once they learn to approach it correctly. These tips transform Science from confusing to conquerable.
Tip 16: The 80/20 Data Rule
80% of Science answers come directly from graphs, tables, and figures. Only 20% require reading the passage text.
Implication: Spend 80% of your time on visual data and 20% on text. Most students do the reverse — reading everything first, then looking at data.
Practise this drill:
- Open a Science passage
- Cover the text completely
- Look ONLY at graphs and tables
- Read the questions
- Answer as many as possible from data alone
- Uncover text only for questions you couldn’t answer
You’ll be shocked how many questions you can answer without reading a single word of passage text.
Tip 17: Trend Identification Speed Drill
Many Science questions ask about relationships: “As X increases, what happens to Y?”
Train yourself to identify trends in under 10 seconds:
- Both variables increase → direct/positive relationship
- One increases while the other decreases → inverse/negative relationship
- One changes while the other stays constant → no relationship
- Pattern is irregular → no clear trend (check if the question specifies a range)
Tip 18: Conflicting Viewpoints Requires Full Reading
This is the ONE exception to the “data first” rule.
Conflicting Viewpoints passages present two scientists with opposing views. You MUST read both viewpoints carefully because:
- Questions compare the two positions
- Answers require understanding each scientist’s reasoning
- Data alone won’t reveal what each scientist believes or predicts
Time allocation: Spend 8–9 minutes on this passage type vs. 5–6 minutes on Data Representation passages.
Tip 19: Don’t Let Unfamiliar Topics Scare You
A Science passage might discuss quantum chromodynamics or deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems. It doesn’t matter.
You don’t need to understand science. You need to read the data that describes it.
“When my students see a scary-sounding topic, I tell them — ‘The ACT isn’t testing whether you know this subject. It’s testing whether you can read a graph about it.’ That mindset shift alone is worth 2 points.”
— Dr. Alan W., ACT Science tutor, 14 years experience
Timing Tips: The Invisible Score Booster
Poor timing is the number one reason Singapore students underperform relative to their actual knowledge level. These ACT test preparation tips directly address pacing.
Tip 20: Bubble at Page Breaks, Not Question Breaks
Instead of bubbling after every question (which creates constant context-switching), bubble your answers at the bottom of each page of questions.
Time saved: 3–5 minutes across the full exam
Risk management: Mark answers in your test booklet first. Transfer to the bubble sheet in batches. This also reduces bubbling errors from misaligned rows.
Tip 21: Wear an Analogue Watch and Create Time Checkpoints
Digital timers show exact time remaining, which can trigger anxiety. An analogue watch helps you glance quickly without mental calculation.
Set checkpoint targets:
| Section | Checkpoint | Target |
| English | After question 30 | 18 minutes elapsed |
| Math | After question 25 | 25 minutes elapsed |
| Reading | After passage 2 | 17 minutes elapsed |
| Science | After passage 3 | 20 minutes elapsed |
If you’re behind at a checkpoint, slightly increase pace. If you’re ahead, maintain — don’t slow down and lose momentum.
Tip 22: The “Two-Pass” Technique for Every Section
Pass 1: Answer every question you can solve quickly and confidently. Skip anything that takes more than 45 seconds.
Pass 2: Return to skipped questions with remaining time. You’ll often find that answers come more easily the second time — your subconscious has been processing while you worked on other questions.
Mental Performance Tips: The Edge Nobody Teaches
Tip 23: Sleep Strategy Starts One Week Before — Not One Night Before
Research shows that cognitive performance on test day correlates with sleep quality over the preceding 5–7 days, not just the night before.
The sleep protocol:
- 7 days before test: Begin sleeping 7.5–8 hours nightly
- No screens within 30 minutes of bedtime
- Same sleep and wake time each night
- Night before test: Normal bedtime — don’t try sleeping at 8 PM
Tip 24: The Power of “Reset Breaths” Between Sections
During the brief transitions between sections, take three deep breaths before opening the next section.
Why this works: Each section activates slightly different cognitive skills. The breaths create a mental “reset” that helps you transition from Reading mode to Science mode without carrying over fatigue or frustration.
Tip 25: Reframe Nervousness as Excitement
Sports psychologists discovered that telling yourself “I’m excited” before high-pressure situations produces better performance than telling yourself “I’m calm.”
Before the test, say: “I’m excited to show what I’ve prepared for.”
Not: “I need to calm down.”
Your body can’t easily distinguish between anxiety and excitement. Channel the adrenaline into performance energy rather than fighting it.
The Tip That Tutors Wish Every Student Would Follow
Tip 26: Maintain a Detailed Error Log — And Actually Use It
We’ve saved this for emphasis because it’s the single most powerful ACT test preparation habit that students consistently resist.
The error log format:
| Date | Section | Q# | Error Type | Specific Pattern | Lesson Learned |
| Mar 5 | English | 23 | Content gap | Semicolon usage | Semicolons join two independent clauses |
| Mar 5 | Reading | 14 | Trap answer | Chose “too extreme” option | Avoid answers with “always/never” |
| Mar 5 | Science | 31 | Timing | Ran out on passage 6 | Spend max 5.5 min per passage |
| Mar 12 | English | 41 | Careless | Missed “NOT” in question | Underline key words in question stem |
After 3–4 weeks, your error log reveals:
- Which grammar rules you keep missing
- Which Reading trap types catch you most
- Whether your errors are knowledge-based or execution-based
- Exactly where your next practice session should focus
Students who maintain error logs improve 40% faster than those who don’t. Every experienced tutor will confirm this.
“The error log is like a personalised tutor that’s available 24/7. It tells you exactly what to study next — if you’re honest with it.”
— Sarah M., ACT prep director, 12 years experience
Quick-Reference: Top Tips by Score Range
Currently Scoring 22–25? Focus Here:
- Master 20 core English grammar rules (Tips 4–7)
- Never leave blanks — guess strategically (Tip 2)
- Learn the “questions first” Science approach (Tip 16)
- Build basic Reading pacing with Goldilocks strategy (Tip 12)
- Start your error log immediately (Tip 26)
Currently Scoring 26–29? Focus Here:
- Apply the 30-second rule ruthlessly (Tip 3)
- Practise passage ordering in Reading (Tip 15)
- Use backsolving in Math to save time (Tip 8)
- Identify wrong answer patterns in Reading (Tip 14)
- Train reduced-time drills for speed (Tip 21)
Currently Scoring 30–33? Focus Here:
- Eliminate “almost right” Reading answers with proof requirement (Tip 13)
- Watch for “too good to be true” Math traps (Tip 10)
- Perfect Conflicting Viewpoints strategy (Tip 18)
- Optimise bubbling technique (Tip 20)
- Implement sleep and mental performance protocols (Tips 23–25)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ACT Test Preparation Tip Produces the Fastest Score Improvement?
Mastering English grammar rules (Tips 4–7) consistently produces the fastest measurable improvement. Most students can gain 3–5 points in English within 2–3 weeks by learning just 20 core rules. No other single strategy delivers comparable results in such a short timeframe.
How Many of These ACT Test Preparation Tips Should I Implement at Once?
Start with 3–5 tips most relevant to your weakest section. Trying to implement all 26 simultaneously creates overwhelm and reduces effectiveness. Add new tips gradually as earlier ones become habitual — typically every 1–2 weeks.
Do These ACT Test Preparation Tips Work for Both Paper and Computer-Based Tests?
Yes. These strategies target cognitive and strategic approaches that apply regardless of delivery format. However, Tips 9 (drawing diagrams) and 20 (bubbling technique) apply specifically to paper-based testing. For computer-based tests, use the digital flagging and annotation tools instead.
Are These ACT Test Preparation Tips Different From SAT Tips?
Many foundational strategies overlap, but several tips are ACT-specific — particularly the Science section strategies (Tips 16–19), the timing checkpoints (Tip 21), and the English conciseness principle (Tip 4). The ACT’s faster pacing also makes timing tips significantly more critical than for the SAT.
Can These ACT Test Preparation Tips Help Me Improve Without Taking a Class?
Absolutely. These tips are designed to be actionable whether you’re studying independently, in a class, or with a private tutor. Self-study students benefit especially from Tips 1 (stop studying strengths), 26 (error log), and 22 (two-pass technique), which provide structure that self-study otherwise lacks.
How Long Does It Take for These ACT Test Preparation Tips to Show Results in Practice Tests?
English tips typically show results within 1–2 weeks. Reading and Science strategies take 3–4 weeks to become habitual. Math techniques show results almost immediately for students who practise them consistently. Mental performance tips require the full preparation period to develop fully.
Which Tip Do Experienced Tutors Consider Most Important?
Nearly every tutor we consulted identified Tip 26 (error log maintenance) as the single most transformative habit. The error log converts random practice into systematic improvement and gives students ownership over their preparation process — which drives motivation and results simultaneously.
Should I Focus on Tips for My Weakest Section or Apply Tips Across All Sections?
Prioritise your weakest section — this is where tips produce the largest composite score impact. However, implement universal tips (Tips 1–3, 20–26) across all sections from the beginning, as these improve overall test-taking efficiency regardless of section-specific skill level.
Tips Are Worthless Without Action
You’ve just read 26 tutor-backed strategies that have collectively helped hundreds of Singapore students boost their ACT scores. Each one is proven. Each one is specific. Each one is implementable today.
But here’s what separates students who improve from students who don’t:
Implementation.
The student who reads this guide, picks 5 tips, and applies them in tomorrow’s practice session will improve. The student who bookmarks this page “for later” probably won’t.
ACT test preparation isn’t about knowing what to do. It’s about doing what you know — consistently, deliberately, and with the discipline to track your progress honestly.
Pick your first 5 tips. Open a practice test. Start your error log. And begin the process of turning knowledge into points.
Every point you gain is a door that opens. Every tip you implement is a key that turns.
Start turning keys.
