Students taking the ACT in Dublin view math in a different way — while most have a revulsion towards it, many consider themselves average and a few are quite proficient. Whatever their opinions towards math, preparation is still the only feasible way to get high scores on the ACT for Dublin students or those across the nation.
One of the most important things that you should consider is to try to memorize the instructions before the “big day.” Since most of the instructions are quite long, you could waste vital time reading them. After solving each problem, choose the right answer out of the five possible choices given. You must solve as many problems as you can in the time allowed. Try to avoid spending too much time focusing on one difficult question. If necessary, skip the questions that you find difficult to answer. You can go back and attempt to answer the more difficult questions if there’s still time. Since the ACT doesn’t penalize wrong answers, it’s all right to make a guess.
Math on the ACT consists of 60 questions: 33 Algebra, 23 Geometry, and 4 Trigonometry. You’ll attain the following 3 subscores, depending on how good you are at taking the exam:
- Subscore 1 – Elementary algebra (exponents, factors, square roots, etc.)
- Subscore 2 – Intermediate algebra (complex numbers, polynomials, etc.)
- Subscore 3 – Plane geometry and trigonometry
It is important that you should look at what’s in your math exam when taking the ACT in Dublin. This may sound funny, but many students have gotten lower scores simply because they didn’t even bother to look — even for just a few seconds – at what’s on the test.
You have a limited time frame — 60 questions in 60 minutes — which means that, ideally, you have a minute to answer each question. It sounds easy, but in reality can be more difficult than it seems especially when you’re knee-deep in solving the problems. If you begin spending more than a minute on a difficult question, you’re going to regret it when you approach the end of the exam. Then you’ll realize that you only have seconds left to answer each one of the questions (and regret it more when the end of the test is full of easier questions!).
Remember that it’s really important to keep yourself within the minute per question time frame. As implied earlier, answer the easier questions and if there’s still time left, attempt to answer the more difficult ones. While you still have months to go, it’s wise to take timed practice tests so that you will be able to shorten your answering time by 10-15 seconds or so per question.
Always remember the basic math rules! The creators behind the ACT math questions are very well aware that you will probably forget the basics such as the least common multiple is distinct from the greatest common factor. The test makers know that you may fail to remember that rule so they will include one answer choice that looks appealing compared to the actual correct answer. Practicing basic math rules will help you pick the correct answer choice, not the one that looks appealing.
Memorize math formulas so that you have a reliable means of solving the problems correctly — and quickly. You don’t have to get stuck in guessing which formula is correct for a certain problem because you already know them by heart.
You don’t have to be a math genius when taking a math exam for the ACT in Dublin. Consider the suggestions mentioned above, keep practicing as much as possible, and relax and remember to breathe.