Although the ACT is a challenging test, running an at-home practice exam is a breeze! Simply follow the timelines and instructions below after getting all of your proper supplies. You’ll be ready to start practicing in a snap!
- Basic Supplies
- Before the exam, make sure your student has everything with them that they will need on the day of the exam, which includes: two pencils, a calculator, and any water bottles/snacks they may want to consume over their designated breaks. Additionally, they should have their answer sheet detached and ready to fill out before they begin the exam.
- Regardless of who your timekeeper is during your at-home exam, someone will need the right tool to be able to keep track of time. Thus, make sure you have a stopwatch or a digital equivalent (such as cell phone alarms) so that your timekeeper can monitor the proper time intervals for each section.
- Environment
- After you’ve assembled your supplies, you will want to find a quiet area for the student to take their exam. They will need to have no entertainment available to distract them, and have everything they need throughout the exam easily in reach.
- Procedure
- Finally, before you go ahead and get started, there are a few more details about procedure that shall be addressed. If the student finished a section before the time is up, they mustn’t proceed to the next section. It’s very important to stick to the same schedule administered by the formal exam because practice tests are an important way for students to master their time management skills. For this reason, it is also important for the student to adhere to the short breaks built into the schedule. During these breaks they should stretch in their seat, drink some water, or rest their eyes momentarily.
- Timetable
- If you’ve already collected your materials and your student has settled in then you’re ready to go! Use the the guidelines below set your watch by:
- English: 45 minutes
- Math: 60 minutes
- 10 Minute Break
- Reading: 35 minutes
- Science: 35 minutes
- 5 Minute Break
- Essay: 40 minutes
(Psst! Looking for directions for taking a practice SAT instead? Go ahead to this page! )
Victory Step Education Team
