Perfecting the February ACT: Acing the test before the 2025 format change
The February ACT is just around the corner, and it marks the last test before the much-anticipated format change in April 2025.
If you're gearing up for this crucial exam, now is the time to refine your strategy, hone your skills, and aim for your best score. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of this opportunity and ace the ACT.
Why is a good ACT score important?
Your ACT score can significantly influence your college applications. The most competitive US universities typically require scores in the 95th–99th percentile, which translates to a composite score of 30–36. Many other excellent institutions accept students with scores ranging from 29–32. Wherever you’re applying, achieving your target score starts with understanding the test and how to prepare for it effectively.
How to prepare for the February ACT
Step 1: Master the content
Achieving a high ACT score requires a thorough understanding of the test material, especially in grammar, algebra, and geometry. To solidify your knowledge:
- Try out A-List’s ACT Book of Knowledge, which outlines all the rules and content you need to know.
- Use methods that suit your learning style, such as practice drills, flashcards, or audio notes. Creating your own review materials will help you retain the information more effectively.
- Regularly read high-quality publications like The Economist or The New Yorker for Reading section preparation, and explore open-access Tier 1 science journals to boost your comprehension skills for the Science section.
Step 2: Know the best ACT tips and techniques
Success on the ACT isn’t just about knowing the content—getting above a 30 requires high attention to detail and utilising every minute of this fast-paced test and using strategies tailored to the test’s unique format. Ultimately, you want to ensure you are answering the questions in the most time-efficient method possible. Often, this will not be the route you are taught in school!
Maths
Particularly for maths, the traditional algebraic methods are likely not the most beneficial for these standardised tests. In A-List’s ACT lessons, you cover our range our A-List Maths Techniques, which explore different approaches to algebra, graphing, and geometry. Combined, these areas make up more than 75% of the maths section – and with our techniques you can complete them without having to do maths!
Our ACT Book of Knowledge shows how you can approach the questions in a variety of ways. Want a sneak peak? Read about our plug-in technique (applicable on SAT and ACT math) here.
> How to Prepare for the ACT Maths Section
Reading and Science
Practice locating evidence directly from passages and graphs to answer questions accurately under tight time constraints.
> How to Prepare for the ACT Reading Section
> How to Prepare for the ACT Science Section
English
Perfect your grammar and punctuation skills to ensure precision in your answers.
> How to Prepare for the ACT English Section
Step 3: Analyse your practice
When seeking score improvement, it can be tempting to complete test after test: more exposure must mean you’ll get better, right?
Wrong! In order to improve your score, it is necessary to pause and reflect on how you are completing these tests. Careful corrections are key to improvement on ACT online prep.
Once you move onto timed practice sections, spend the most time analysing your mistakes.
The two weeks before the test is not the time to cover lots of content. Instead, examine your recent ACT practice and find 2-4 concentrated weaker areas to work on (exponent rules, comma rules, Science conflicting viewpoint questions).
In fact, make a notebook of errors: write down the cause of the error and the question type. Then, find questions of the same type: target these and build your stamina with them through repetition. Once you see the correct way to approach the question type causing you error, consciously repeat that process every time you see a similar question arise.
The ACT questions have a strong similarity between tests, so you will start to see patterns.
Step 4: Perfect your timing
The ACT’s fast-paced nature demands efficient test-taking techniques. Practise under timed conditions and refine your strategies to optimise your performance:
- Complete timed individual ACT sections to practise combining technique application with content. As a long, standardised test, the ACT requires commitment over many weeks for best improvement. In the final weeks before the test however, students should focus on perfecting their question answering methods and studying the question styles.
- Progress to full, proctored practice tests to build endurance for the ACT’s long format.
A-List has developed an online testing platform to simulate your ACT test experience with the latest practice tests. We offer proctored tests most weekends, which come with complimentary in-depth performance reviews. Contact our Client Service Team via privateclient@alisteducation.co.uk today to schedule your practice test!
Final week prep: Last-minute tips
As test day approaches, focus on these three areas:
- Refine your strategy: Write a clear list of steps to follow during the test to prevent recurring errors.
- Target weak spots: Review 2–4 specific areas where you struggle and complete targeted drills to build confidence.
- Practise precision: Use your Book of Knowledge and past practice tests to perfect your techniques for answering questions accurately under time pressure.
Your ACT journey starts here
With the February ACT being the final test before the format change, now is your chance to secure a standout score. Whether you’re aiming for a 29 to open doors at competitive colleges or striving for a perfect 36 for Tier 1 universities, preparation is key.
Need additional support? A-List offers a comprehensive suite of resources, including:
- The ACT Book of Knowledge
- Intensive ACT Preparation Courses
- One-on-one tutoring to learn exclusive techniques
- Proctored tests that simulate real exam environments with tailored feedback
Contact our Client Services Team today by calling +44 (0)20 3004 8101 or emailing privateclient@alisteducation.co.uk to purchase our materials, book in our courses and supercharge your ACT preparation and achieve your goals.
