Do you often wonder how to help your child prepare for the ACT? Many parents do, and they tell me it causes them anxiety because the test has very challenging material on it, and it (well, the entire college application process) is nothing like they remember. As a result, many parents feel unable to help their children prepare for the ACT.
If you are a parent looking to assist your child with ACT prep, these 10 ideas should help…
1. Provide the Best ACT Preparation Resources Possible
Nothing says confidence like knowing you have done your best to prepare for this test.
Can you imagine showing up on marathon day without having prepared to run the race? How would you feel? You would probably feel scared, unsure of yourself, and unconvinced that you would even finish.
The actual race probably wouldn’t go so well for you.
Several years ago, I “sort of” prepared to run the LA marathon. I got busy with work and life and did not prioritize my training. I finished the race, but I hurt myself on mile six, had to walk across the finish line, and I ended up at the hospital and on crutches afterward.
Make sure your student doesn’t suffer through the ACT the way that I suffered through the LA marathon.
Get him/her the best possible ACT prep resources.
- If your student is a very motivated self-starter, a good ACT study aid could be The Official ACT Prep Guide 2019-2020. This book is written by the makers of the ACT and therefore has excellent practice tests inside. This book is just over $20, so it is also very budget friendly.
- If your student could use a bit more accountability and also works well in a group setting, you might consider providing ACT prep classes for him/her. Working in a class of other students often helps maintain motivation and keep students on track for test day. Click here to apply for tutoring and learn more about group sessions.
- The option that offers the most flexibility and customization for your student is private tutoring. Students work one-on-one with a highly qualified tutor who knows the test material as well as a variety of test taking strategies. The tutor can learn your child’s learning styles and help your child develop the best ACT action plan for himself/herself. Click here to apply for private tutoring.
2. Encourage Your Child to Study
Having excellent materials in one’s possession is one thing, but actually using them is another. Encourage your child to use the amazing ACT prep resources you have given him/her. Consider offering incentives for reaching small goals.
For example, perhaps your child could have extra drive time or choose the family’s dinner menu for the week after completing a certain amount of ACT prep.
Also, having your child prepare for the ACT in a group setting with his/her peers can help keep your child accountable. Click here to apply for tutoring and learn more about ACT prep classes.
Having another adult, like an ACT tutor, check in with your child can be very effective in preparing for the ACT as well. Click here to get my Smart Moms’ Tutor Interview Checklist: 16 Questions You Must Ask Before Hiring a Tutor.
3. Look at Colleges & Scholarships Together
For some students, the possibility of winning scholarships is all the motivation they need to give ACT prep their best effort.
Helping your child figure out what schools are of interest can definitely guide his/her ACT preparation. Once your child has an idea of different schools s/he likes, s/he can follow the steps below in order to determine his/her target score:
- Make note of the 75th percentile ACT scores of all of the schools of interest.
- Average those scores. This number is your child’s target score.
For example, let’s say that your child is interested in applying to Boston University, University of Missouri, College of Wooster, and George Washington University.
In order for your child to determine his/her target ACT score, s/he would first find all of the above schools’ 75th percentile ACT scores.
In this example, they are 31, 29, 30, and 31, respectively.
Then your child would calculate the average of those scores and get a result of approximately 30. In this case, 30 would be your child’s target score.
Achieving this score on the ACT would make your child competitive for all of the above schools in the “standardized test score” arena.
A 30 is as high as or higher than two of the 75th percentile ACT scores, and it’s just below the other two. (It also happens to be higher than the 25th percentile scores of all of the schools: 27, 24, 25, 17).
Your child calculating his/her own target score can help him/her buy into the idea of doing solid ACT preparation.
Something that is pretty cool about the ACT is that you can get paid to do well on it. For example, you can win up to $20,500 per year at LSU, depending on your GPA and ACT score. At Baylor University, a good ACT score can help you get up to $21,000 per year.
I remember that, as I applied to colleges, the admissions office at the University of Missouri mailed me an application that had already been filled out. All I had to do was sign and return it. They also offered me scholarship money.
I didn’t end up applying there, so I don’t remember how much the award was for. But that letter did great things for my confidence.
4. Arrange an Effective Study Environment
A productive study environment goes a long way in ACT prep.
In order to best help your child prepare for the ACT, please make sure that s/he has a quiet place to study, one that is free from distractions like pets, siblings, cell phones, social media and other technology.
It is very important that your child be able to focus and prepare in uninterrupted stints. Of course, your child should have some planned breaks. It’s distractions that students need to avoid.
According to a study from the University of California at Irvine, getting back on track after an interruption can take extra time and/or result in higher stress, frustration, and pressure.
5. Model Correct Grammar
The ACT tests heavily on grammar. Your modeling correct grammar will help your child be able to see and hear when something is incorrectly written or said.
Using proper grammar in your speech and gently correcting your child when s/he makes mistakes will go a long way in helping your child reach his/her goals on the ACT.
6. Be Proactive About Accommodations
Some students are eligible to receive extended time, an alternative format, or other accommodations on the ACT.
Unfortunately, many students are either unaware that they meet the qualifications for these accommodations or unaware of how to secure them.
Please know that if your child has a documented learning difference like ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, speech or language disorders, hearing or visual impairment, among others, s/he may be eligible to receive ACT Testing accommodations. Also, if your child has an IEP, 504 plan, or other accommodations at school, s/he may be eligible for ACT accommodations.
Many of my students were able to take their ACT test over multiple days, which was very beneficial for them.
Several others were able to have 50%-300% extra time to take their ACT test.
Other accommodations can include use of a larger-font booklet, the ability to mark directly into the test booklet instead of on the answer sheet, among others.
You’ll want to apply for accommodations as soon as possible. The process usually involves a school counselor; your child could approach the counselor himself/herself, or you could join the conversation. Either way, helping your child advocate for himself/herself is a plus.
7. Take a Practice Test With Your Child
Taking tests may not be your favorite way to spend your free time, but there are many benefits to taking ACT practice tests with your child.
- First, you can serve as the proctor for that particular exam. That will make the environment more like the one your child will experience on test day, and studies show that when you practice in conditions similar to the actual conditions of the event, you tend to do better on the actual event.
- Second, you’ll know first-hand what your child can expect to see on the test. This information will help you empathize with your child when s/he needs a listening ear. It will also allow you to intelligently talk about the test with your student.
- And lastly, doing anything (even taking a test) with your child promotes bonding and a sense of camaraderie. Super cool!
But, if you can’t swing the four consecutive hours of test taking, you at least want to peruse the practice tests that your child takes.
Be sure to also purchase the actual tests taken, whenever that is an option.
8. Help Your Child Understand His/Her ACT Test Results
Once your child takes an ACT test (practice or real), s/he will have some test results. On practice tests, your child will need to calculate his/her scores and then review the answer explanations.
It is critical that your child understand his/her strengths and weaknesses on the ACT test.
Sometimes the answer explanations are not enough for students to actually understand why question should be answered in a certain way.
Parental guidance can be helpful here.
The same goes for the score report that your child gets with his/her actual ACT test scores. It can be very beneficial for you to go over that score report with your child.
If you don’t understand it, find someone who does who can help you.
I have helped many parents and students through this process, and it is very valuable.
9. Listen
The college application process can be fun and exciting, but it can also be scary and stressful. Sometimes, your child might need a sounding board, and you could be the perfect one.
Let your child share how s/he is feeling throughout the process; listen to his/her worries and fears…and the good stuff, too. Make sure that your child knows that you are there to support in any way you can.
This may not seem like a big way to help your child prepare for ACT success, but it is huge.
It can make your child feel good in general, and also provide reassurance that s/he has your support throughout this process.
10. Arrive at the Test Site Early
Some students want to drive themselves to their ACT test; others would prefer if you did the driving. It’s a good idea to check in with your child about his/her preference and, if at all possible, honor it.
If you’re doing the driving, these tips are for you. If your child is doing the driving, please pass the tips on to him/her.
To keep worry and nervousness down, arrive at the test site a few minutes early.
Make sure you know exactly where it is and where to drop off your student.
You could drive there on a day sometime before test day, just to make sure you know the route. (Siri sometimes lets us down.) You’d also be able to see if there is any construction or any other obstacles that you should avoid.
Check the traffic the morning of the test and leave home with plenty of time to arrive, park, check in, etc.
Having to rush on test day is one easy way to cause unnecessary stress.
I hope these tips clarify how you can help your child prepare for the ACT. Please let me know your favorite one in the comments below!
All the best,
Keili (sounds like Keely 🙂 )
P.S. Curious about how an ACT tutor could help your child prepare for the ACT? Click here to schedule your FREE strategy session.
