ACT Tips and Strategies

Things to know about the ACT!!

ACT hates…

being and whom

when in doubt…

leave it out

when reading a LONG question

underline what the question is specifically asking

make sure sentences are…

clear, concise, consistent

if three choices are nearly the same…

strongly consider the odd man out

two independent clauses are joined by…

a comma and FANBOY

FARTHER

distance

FURTHER

to a greater extent

COMPLEMENT

to complete

COMPLIMENT

flatter

EMIGRATE

to EXIT

IMMIGRATE

to come IN

MOREOVER

in addition to

NEVERTHELESS

in contrast to

If the dependent clause comes first…

a comma IS needed

If the dependent clause comes second…

NO comma is needed

If both a period and semi-colon are options…

eliminate both

never put commas around…

names because they are ESSENTIAL

dashes indicate…

a sudden break in thought

everything on the left side of a colon must be…

a COMPLETE sentence

colons are used to show a..

list or explanation

ALLUSION

refers to something else

ILLUSION

a false understanding

PAST

noun

PASSED

verb

LIE

to recline

LAY

to place

between lay or lie, always pick…

lie

when answering a transition question, always…

read the sentence before and after

between who or whom, always pick…

WHO

before answering an inference question…

come up with your own answer before checking the question answers

when stuck on two questions, seek to…

ELIMINATE, not defend an option

irrational numbers

roots, pi, e

i ²

-1

√-1

i

x⁰

1

quadratic formula

x

distance formula

d = √(x₂ - x₁)² + (y₂ - y₁)²

midpoint formula

M=

when asked about a fair coin, the correct answer should include…

A LOT OF MULTIPLICATION

irrational numbers include…

square roots, cubed roots, pi

area of a circle

πR²

TANGENT

SIN / COS

circumference

πd

area of a trapezoid

[ (b₁+b₂) / 2 ] x h

common Pythagorean triples

3 4 5

5 12 13

volume of a cylinder

πr²h

for probability questions, “BOTH” and “AND” mean…

multiply the fractions (probability)

for probability questions, “OR” means…

add the fractions (probability)

standard equation of a circle

(x - h)² + (y - ,k)² = r²

when referring to triangles, congruent means…

same measures EXACLTY

when referring to triangles, similar means…

same ratio (measures)

3(log₂8)

2³ = 8