When Should My Child Start ACT Test Prep?
5 Things to Consider RIGHT NOW
One thing I’ve tried to never do is make wish lists. I try to have a very ‘stepping stone’ mentality about this whole thing, where as soon as you make one step, you visualize the next step, not five steps ahead.~Taylor Swift
I laughed when I read this Taylor Swift quote. Who knew that she and I shared a common goal? We both like conquering BIG things…one little step at a time.
For many of us, the ACT feels like a really big thing. Parents I talk to dread thinking about it. “When should my child first start ACT test prep, anyway?” they ask.
Let me share 5 little steps that will help you make this decision.
It’s never too early to think about the ACT and how a great score can get your student scholarships for college.
As you read this, you already know the answer: Start thinking about it right now.
That doesn’t mean your fifth grader needs the weight of standardized tests on their shoulders. But you can see their future in ways that they can’t. So thinking about it early? If that helps you develop a plan and implement practices and habits that will better prepare your student for ACT test prep, then go for it.
A great ACT score opens many doors for students to get scholarships, gain admission to honors colleges, secure sports scholarships, and start college off on the right track. Start talking with your kids NOW about what you can afford to pay for college and how scholarships may play a role in their education. Don’t wait until their junior or senior year!
2. Make a plan and assess the potential gaps in your child’s knowledge.
Sophomore year (or before, if your child is excited about tests) is the ideal time to start familiarizing your student with actual test materials and assessing their strengths and weaknesses. Are there any gaps in their math education? How are they as readers? Once you have an idea of where your student is academically, together you can make a plan for success, allowing for plenty of time to get the scores you are aiming for.
3. Should you prepare before the first ACT, or “take it cold turkey”?
Honestly, it doesn’t matter. I’ve seen teens excel either way. Talk to your child and find out what they would be most comfortable with. Some like to go into their first test prepared. Others prefer to take the first test cold turkey to get an authentic feel for what the testing environment is like. I definitely feel that you should talk to your child about the pros and cons of each, and let them be a part of the decision-making process. Then register for the ACT.
Register SOON if your child wants to go cold turkey. Give yourself 1-2 months if they want to prepare in advance.
The most important part of this big, scary book are the six full past ACT tests. There’s a new version published each year.
4. The ACT is full of easy-to-learn content; It’s just presented in intimidating ways.
Have you seen the official ACT Prep Guide? Students bring this book into class and are already intimidated and defeated by the test. IT’S A BIG, SCARY BOOK!
Personally, I tore my book apart and kept only the precious parts of it–the 6 full past ACT tests. I will show your child exactly how to use them.
5. Give yourself some margin to tackle this big goal. Anything big, once broken into small chunks, is doable. The benefits are great!
Your ideal test score won't be achieved overnight. You’ll inevitably have ups and downs throughout this journey. Do I dare say preparing for this test helps build resiliency for the even more difficult challenges that students may face in college? It does!
Every test is an opportunity for your student to reassess their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to ACT test prep. With your support and the right tools in their toolbelt, any student can overcome these weaknesses and strive towards their ideal score.
Starting your ACT test prep journey is a big step for your family. Success on this test could mean your student gaining admission to college with scholarships. I want that for you. I’ve lived that dream, and it’s become my mission to see other parents and students live that dream as well.
Are you ready to start this journey with me?
You can buy my online ACT test prep course, where I walk your student through real ACT tests. With 13 hours of self-paced practice and instruction, your student can choose when and where they begin their practice and rewatch the teaching videos repeatedly.
Affordability is very important to me, and the price of both the online course and the in-person workshops reflect that. I want everyone to have access to the things that I have learned. With the right tools and the right attitude, college scholarships are within reach for you and your child. Let’s get started!
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Kati Johnson founded Test Prep Mom during the summer of 2015. What had been a private undertaking became public when Kati started sharing the story of her family’s 5-year preparation for the ACT, which began in 2010 as her older son prepared for ACT success. Over the next 5 years, Kati started teaching small groups of classes — as well as her other two children still at home — including one whom she homeschooled. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she was challenged to transform her in-person teachings to an online format to continue helping students achieve scholarships to schools all over the country. As of today, she has equipped 6,000+ students in-person for the ACT, and over 2,000+ through her online class. Her goal has always remained the same: to offer real help, at an affordable price.