Preparation is the key to success on the ACT. When the ACT is lurking sometime far in the future, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to study. Establishing an organized study routine can help keep you on track as you approach the test date.

Rather than simply telling yourself to study each week, you might want to write down an actual schedule, just as you have a schedule of classes at school. Keep this schedule where you’ll see it every day, and consider showing it to a parent who will nag you incessantly when you don’t follow it. (You might as well use your parents’ nagging capabilities to your own advantage for once.) You should reward yourself for keeping to your schedule.

You should allot at least a few hours a week to studying, depending on how much time you have before the test date. If you start preparing five weeks in advance, you might consider studying one subject per week, with the last week left over for light review. Our chapters on the individual tests will give you a solid review of the material you need to know.

To complement your studying, take at least part of a practice test each week. We’ve given you two practice tests at the back of this book. You don’t necessarily have to take a full practice test each week, but, if you’re preparing for English one week, take a practice English Test to help focus your studying. We explain how practice tests can function as powerful study tools in the chapter called “Practice Tests Are Your Best Friends.”

You must bring the following items to the test center on the day of the test:

Unless a test proctor recognizes you, you will not be allowed in the test room without appropriate identification. We also suggest that you bring the following: