I’m studying for my ACT, which means ideally taking a full practice a test in one setting every few days. I’m not sure if I can do it though… sitting for 3+ hours is painful to me. Any tips to make it more bearable?
@cleeshay practice more, take the same breaks that would occur on the real ACT, and don’t think too much about time.
I’m fine with one hour sessions, but beyond that, I have trouble concentration and generally getting through the whole thing. @MITer94
@cleeshay unless you have some sort of diagnosed attention disability (e.g. ADHD), you should be able to do it with practice.
Just like marathon runners do not start their training by running a full 26-mile run. They often start relatively easy over a lesser distance, and gradually build up their endurance.
When you take breaks (during a practice or real ACT), make sure you stand up, stretch, perhaps go outside (if you’re allowed), maybe bring a snack, etc. Remember the SAT and ACT do give you occasional breaks.
That’s nothing compared to going through labor and childbirth. Just suck it up and do it.
You could do a section at a time, that will still help prepare you, but how will you get through the real exam?
Best practice is doing it in one shot like the real ACT. My D took them on Sunday mornings…
I personally practice two sections in one sitting. It’s just like taking that ten minute break during the administration, but that ten minute break is longer than usual.
Honestly, that’s what I thought before I took any practice tests for the ACT. But once I took like 5+ practice tests I got used to it and I actually looked forward to taking the test as it was in my schedule. In the end, you have to really want it and discipline yourself.
Endurance and attention to detail are a big part of the exam and must be practiced–you wouldn’t run a marathon after preparing by only running sprints, would you? The exam is a marathon. Prep for it similarly.
Take your practice tests with the same timing, including breaks, as the real test. Add a snack in there to give your brain some fuel as well.
This is the schedule as it should happen (some test centers are more lax than others)
Reading 65 minutes
10 minute break
Writing 35 Minutes
No Calculator Math 25 Minutes
5 minute break
Math 55 Minutes
2 minute stretch (and to let the students leaving get out of the room)
Essay 50 minutes
Good advice, but I’d recommend shortening your time limits in practice. There’s something about the real test conditions that make time go a little faster for most students. I prep students to finish a reading passage (11 questions) in 10 minutes, for instance, and on proctored mock tests, most of them need the full 13 min/passage.
@marvin100 Very good point. Thank you for this suggestion.
@Venomyth It’s already been better; thank you! I’m starting to look forward to them as well. I guess starting is always half the battle.
@PrimeMeridian You ok?