On the math section of the ACT, students are given 60 minutes to complete 60 problems. Knowing this, they feel compelled to “complete the test.” While this is a great goal to have, students also need to consider other things. Answering all 60 questions is important, and we definitely do not want to leave any answers blank — but herein lies the issue. Students that rush to complete the test because they are convinced that they have to finish often cause problems for themselves.
Let me explain. Each problem on the ACT is weighted evenly. You don’t earn extra points if you get more difficult problems correct. As a result, students should spend their time maximizing the problems that they know how to do and getting those problems right. Rushing through problems they are familiar with only to get to problems which they will struggle with, only opens the door for making silly mistakes on the ‘easier problems’. Take a look below. Wouldn’t you rather try to solve #1 instead of #60?
THESE PROBLEMS ARE WORTH THE SAME ON THE ACT
TIP: Don’t rush to get to problem 60. Be more methodical to ensure that you are working problems that you know how to do correctly. Silly mistakes are killers on this test. Study and practice to grow the types of questions that you know how to do. Avoiding silly mistakes and growing your knowledge base is a much more effective approach than rushing through to get to the end of the test.