Knowing Your Schedule for the Week Before the ACT

Today I am going to wrap up our series on 6 considerations that students should make when deciding a date to take the ACT.  The final consideration that I suggest applies to first time test takers as well as veterans.  When looking at the next test date in which a student can register, I recommend that the student, along with parents/guardians, review the activities that are already on the calendar for the week of and especially the night before the test.  

It should be obvious why these time periods can be important for preparing a student to do well on the test, but sometimes when you are several weeks or months away from something, we think we have all the time in the world and forget how things often creep up on us. I have always said that I do not recommend cramming for any test.  For something like the ACT, students know well in advance that they will be taking this test, and as we discussed in a previous post, they should prepare approximately 6-8 weeks for the test. The last week before the test is part of that 6-8 weeks.  It is a great time to get any final reviewing and practice in without being stressed.  If your schedule is already packed with other extracurricular activities that week, and there are future test offerings that meet the student’s application deadlines, it may be advantageous to choose another time to take the test because results may be better then.

You should also consider how busy the night before the test is for the student.  My recommendations for the night before include a light review of formulas and terms, a gathering of everything needed for test day, a good night’s sleep, and low stress.  Our brains just work better when we are well-rested. For the ACT, students need logic and comprehension skills that require a clear, rested mind. The test can already be a stressful time for some students, so they really do not need any extra stressors.

In all the considerations I have pointed out in previous posts, planning ahead is the key to all of them.  If a student is involved in activities during Friday nights in the fall, maybe a fall Saturday morning is not the best test time for them.  The December, February, or spring and summer tests could be a better fit.  The best time to think of all this is probably during a student’s sophomore year.  Think about what the year looks like for your student.  Then, they will have almost 2 years to get the prep and take the tests that will best set them up for their goal-meeting performance. Remind students that this is just a test, and they will survive it and move on to bigger and better things.  But by preparing early, they can make it a stress-free time that produces their best work!