ACT English Tips

When you take the ACT, there are two language arts sections: Reading and English. While the Reading section tests your ability to synthesize new information, make inferences about the text and the author’s intent, and interpret statements, the English section is more about the mechanics of grammar and writing. It requires you to have a good understanding of the rules of written English, and the questions can be challenging and require highly precise answers. So how do you prepare for the English section of the ACT? The answer requires a combination of strong study skills and excellent test taking strategies.

Understand the Format and Content

English covers a lot of different classes, and not everybody has the same curriculum. Fortunately, the ACT provides practice tests that you can take. These make excellent study guides because they’ll give you a great idea of the kind of materials and questions that you can expect to see. 

The ACT English section has 75 questions that you’ll answer in 45 minutes. It’s a fast-paced section that tests your knowledge of grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills. Questions are drawn from five passages, and you’ll be tasked with correcting errors, improving sentences, and analyzing the effectiveness of the text.

It’s important to know what these questions will look like. Familiarize yourself with the types of questions you’ll encounter. There are two main categories: usage and mechanics, and rhetorical skills. Usage and mechanics focus on grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Rhetorical skills test your ability to evaluate the effectiveness of sentences, their placement, and the overall organization of the passage. Knowing this division helps you focus your study efforts more effectively.

Also, you can go over your textbooks and use them to study, but it’s actually better to use materials designed with the ACT in mind or official ACT materials. These materials mimic the real test and will give you a better sense of what to expect, without getting lost in the weeds. 

Build a Strong Foundation in Grammar Rules

Mastering grammar rules is essential for the ACT English section. Review topics such as subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, verb tenses, modifiers, and punctuation. Many students lose points on punctuation questions because they overlook commas, semicolons, and apostrophes– don’t let this happen to you! Make flashcards with key grammar rules or use apps to reinforce these concepts. 

As you review grammar, don’t just memorize the rules. Practice applying them in context. The ACT often tests grammar in nuanced ways, such as identifying misplaced modifiers or recognizing when a sentence is unnecessarily wordy. The more practice you get with real ACT-style questions, the better prepared you’ll be. One easy way to do this? Read for fun! Reading, whether it’s books, newspapers, magazine articles, or any professionally published text exposes you to grammar’s mechanics and wider usage. Reading will also help you be more familiar with idioms and other rhetorical devices used on the test.

Hone Your Rhetorical Skills

The rhetorical skills questions are all about making the passage more effective and concise. They might ask you to reorder sentences, clarify ideas, or choose words that better fit the tone of the passage. For these questions, always consider the big picture. What is the purpose of the paragraph? How does the sentence fit into the overall passage?

Focus on brevity and clarity when answering rhetorical questions. The ACT favors concise and straightforward writing instead of longer, more prosaic text. If a sentence feels overly complicated– for example, if it has lots of clauses and adjectives– chances are you’ll need to simplify it. 

Time Management is Key

One of the biggest challenges of the ACT English section is the time limit. With only 45 minutes for 75 questions, you’ll need to move quickly and efficiently. This doesn’t mean rushing through the section, but it does mean finding a rhythm that works for you.

Start by practicing with untimed passages to build accuracy. Once you’re comfortable, transition to timed practice. Use a stopwatch or timer to simulate the test environment. Aim to spend about 9 minutes per passage. If you find yourself stuck on a question, mark it and move on. You can always return to it later if you have time.

Develop a Strategy for Answering Questions

Test taking is a skill that anyone can learn, and part of that is strategy. A good strategy can make a ton of difference, especially if you struggle with time management.  For grammar and usage questions, read the entire sentence carefully and identify any errors before looking at the answer choices. Sometimes, spotting an error yourself is faster than evaluating every option.

For rhetorical questions, always refer back to the passage. The ACT often provides clues within the surrounding sentences that can guide you to the correct answer. Eliminate choices that are too extreme or unrelated to the context. Remember, there is always one best answer, so avoid overthinking and stick to the evidence in the passage.

Review Your Mistakes

One of the most effective ways to improve is by reviewing your mistakes. After completing practice tests or exercises, go through every question you got wrong. Identify why you made the mistake and what the correct answer is. Was it a grammar rule you didn’t know? Did you misinterpret the question? Understanding your errors will help you avoid repeating them.

Keep track of your mistakes and the grammar rules or strategies related to them. Over time, you’ll notice patterns and areas where you need to focus more attention. This targeted approach is far more effective than broad, unfocused studying.

Improve Your Reading Skills

Strong reading skills are an advantage on the ACT English section. Although the section doesn’t directly test reading comprehension, being able to quickly grasp the meaning and structure of a passage is invaluable. Practice reading a variety of texts, from essays to articles, and pay attention to how sentences and paragraphs are constructed. As you read, practice identifying main ideas, transitions, and the author’s purpose. And even if you’re a fast reader, make sure to take your time and go over the passages very carefully so that you don’t miss anything!

Stay Calm and Confident

Test anxiety can undermine even the best preparation. As you practice, work on building confidence in your abilities. Remind yourself that the ACT is testing skills you can learn and improve with effort. If you encounter a question that seems particularly tricky, don’t panic. Take a deep breath, eliminate obviously wrong answers, and choose the best option based on the evidence in the passage. Remember, every question is worth the same amount of points, so it’s better to move on and return to it later if needed.

Take an ACT Prep Course

An ACT prep course can be a game-changer, especially if you’re unsure about where to start or how to structure your study plan. These courses provide expert guidance, personalized feedback, and a structured approach to mastering the test. When you take an ACT prep course with us here at Prep Expert, you’ll have access to customized prep materials and will be taught by teachers who have scored in the top 1% of all ACT test takers. Our prep courses provide strategies for tackling every section of the ACT, not just English. 

Investing in a prep course is investing in your future. The skills you develop will extend beyond the ACT, helping you excel in college and beyond. If you’re serious about achieving your target score, explore our ACT prep course offerings and see how our courses can help you earn a higher score!