HEADLINE: ACT is arriving – Tips and Tricks

Elena Casillas, Lifestyle Reporter • January 27, 2025

ACT Logo ACT Inc., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The time is arriving for the ACT. For those who don’t know, the ACT is a state-mandated standardized test only juniors can take. That contains the following test subjects Science, Mathematics, Reading, Writing, and English.

A high ACT score can result in many rewards, such as college recognition, financial aid, and scholarships.

So here are some Tips and Tricks to prepare:

Each section has a strict time limit, so practice pacing yourself.
The ACT English section is 45 minutes for 75 questions, Math is 60 minutes for 60 questions, Reading is 35 minutes for 40 questions, and Science is 35 minutes for 40 questions.
English: Focus on grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills (organization, tone, and style).
Writing: Focus on clear structure: an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Include strong reasoning and examples to support your argument.
Math: Review algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and basic arithmetic. Please pay attention to word problems, which often appear in both the Math and Science sections.
Reading: Practice reading quickly and efficiently. Focus on identifying key themes, the main idea, and specific details in the text.
Science: Develop your ability to interpret data, charts, and graphs. The Science section tests critical thinking and analysis, rather than specific science knowledge.
Don’t linger on difficult questions. If you’re stuck, skip it and come back later if time allows.
For multiple-choice questions, if you don’t know the answer right away, eliminate wrong choices to increase your chances of guessing correctly, don’t leave a question too.

Moving aside, the ACT or any other test doesn’t define who you are. It doesn’t prove anything you don’t already know about yourself. It may seem like it now but life will not be over if you do bad. No matter what, try your best! You got this!

2025

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About the Contributor

Elena Casillas, News reporter

Elena Casillas is a 16-year-old junior news reporter at Agua Fria. Elena enjoys informing people in all different ways such as journalism and ‘broadcasting’. Elena enjoys hanging out with friends, writing, and reading. She loves her two cats, Maurice and Nugget. She despises the Arizona summer heat. This is just a short introduction to Elena Casillas. Not many people know what they’re going to do after High School but Elena has a plan she hopes to succeed in. Elena dreams of going into any variation of filming, or broadcasting. To achieve this dream she hopes to attend ASU Cronkite. She plans to leave her comfort zone and maybe become a news broadcaster for CNN, Fox News, and any similar news channel. Getting to know Elena, I decided to ask how her high school experience has been for her so far. She explains high school for her has been ‘like a wave’ or in other words like a roller coaster. She says she’s been ‘going with the wave’ of things throughout high school. Between Freshman and Junior year, she says how there has been a big change in her mindset; way of thinking, and maturity. She has learned how to procrastinate less and become more social. Talk to people more and become more comfortable talking to them. In becoming more social she decided to join film which she said made her feel like she truly wanted to make some change. Throughout high school, her feelings have changed in seeing how different people can consider their feelings rather than yours. On a more serious note, though 16 years may seem like a short amount of time it can still change your perspectives on many things. I asked Elena, ‘How has your perspective changed in life/ what has changed your perspective?”. Elena said growing up she realized how fast something can change in life. We aren’t promised the same every day. She said her having family issues showed her this, how things can change so fast without you even seeing it. Her perspective also changed in paying more attention to how you view things and how certain things can affect you and your personal or school life. In school, she's seen and got a deeper understanding of how ignorant and selfish people can be when it comes to your feelings, if it doesn’t have much to do with them they may not care as much. Finally, I decided to ask her a fun question. “What is one thing people would be shocked to know about you?”. Elena said she is a big Marvel person. Every time she tells people they’re just a little bit shocked. Her favorite Marvel hero would have to be in between Iron Man and black widow. Elena has such a beautiful personality. If you want to get to know her, it is so worth it.