The weeks before the February ACT are a crucial window. At this stage, the goal isn’t to learn everything from scratch, but to sharpen your approach, eliminate repeat mistakes, and build consistency under timed conditions. A focused, strategic plan can make a significant difference to your final score. Below are our 3 tips for your last-minute ACT preparation.
Start with a full practice test
Begin by sitting a full ACT practice test under realistic conditions. Take it at the same time of day as your real exam, following official timing as closely as possible. This gives you an accurate snapshot of where you currently stand.
Then, mark your test and evaluate where you're at:
- What is your score and where do you want it to be?
- Where are you losing marks?
- What are the causes of your errors?
Next to each cause, write a tangible step you can take to prevent it (e.g. reviewing & practising comma rules, reading question twice, deliberately guessing on the hardest 2 questions to save time elsewhere).
Work little and often
Consistency matters more than marathon revision sessions. Dedicate time to the ACT every day, even if it’s relatively short - a consistent 30 minute daily routine would be so much more efficient than 3 hour cramming sessions the nights before the test. Daily exposure keeps skills sharp and reduces exam anxiety.
A strong daily routine might include:
-
Reading high-quality classic fiction to build reading speed and comprehension
-
Practising 5–10 ACT questions
-
Spending focused time on the section where you score the lowest on
Use practice tests strategically
Practice tests are useful only if you learn from them. Aim to sit one full practice test per week initially if you're more than a month away from test date. In the final month before the test, you can increase this to two per week if time allows.
After each test, spend just as long reviewing as you did sitting it. Always carefully analyse every mistake, identify patterns, and then practise those specific question types again. This targeted review is where the biggest score gains happen.
How A-List can help
The weeks leading up to the February ACT are all about smart preparation. By diagnosing your weaknesses, building a consistent daily routine, and using practice tests effectively, you give yourself the best chance of walking into the exam calm, confident, and ready to perform.
Small, deliberate steps taken now can add up to a strong performance on test day.
Our ACT tuition is perfect for students looking for personalised guidance and a score above 32 for applications to top US universities. See what other students say about tutoring with A-List
