How To Improve English Score On ACT Test

Raising your English score on the ACT can have a major impact on your total test results. If you’re finding grammar, punctuation, or writing organization challenging, don’t worry, there are specific strategies that can help you improve English score on ACT test.

In this post, we’ll explore 8 essential topics and focus areas to strengthen your English skills, giving you the confidence to approach the ACT English section with ease. With targeted preparation, you’ll be ready to achieve your best score!

These comprehensive, expert-backed guides are crafted by top tutors from Chicago Academic, ensuring you receive well-researched and effective strategies for success.

How To Improve English Score On ACT Test

Preparing for the ACT English section may seem overwhelming, but with focused practice on the right concepts, you can greatly improve your score. Here are 8 essential areas to master before test day to help you succeed:

1. Sentence Sense

Run-on sentences and fragments are common pitfalls. Ensure that your sentences are both complete and coherent. This means they should have a subject and a predicate, and clearly convey the intended meaning without ambiguity or confusion. Also, keep an eye on parallel structure, this applies when making comparisons or listing items.

For example: “She enjoys reading, writing, and to paint” is incorrect because the structure isn’t parallel. The correct version? “She enjoys reading, writing, and painting.”

2. Punctuation

Mastering the use of punctuation marks is crucial for your ACT English score. Become proficient in the rules for using commas, semicolons, colons, dashes, and apostrophes to improve the accuracy and clarity of your writing.

For Example: “The student, who worked hard, succeeded” (correct) vs. “The student who worked hard succeeded” (incorrect).

3. Transitions

Transitions are key phrases or words that guide the reader through the flow of ideas, linking sentences or paragraphs for better clarity and coherence. Mastering transitions will guarantee that your writing flows smoothly and is clear for the reader to follow.

Some common transition words are “consequently,” “for instance,” “moreover,” and “on the other hand,” which help connect ideas and enhance the flow of writing.

4. Wordiness

The ACT favors concise and clear language. Avoid redundant words or unnecessarily complex sentences.

For instance, instead of saying “due to the fact that,” simply use “because.”

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5. Verb Tenses

Verb tense consistency is crucial on the ACT. Make sure the verb tense is both grammatically accurate and appropriate for the context of the sentence.

For example: “He is running late because he forgot his keys” (present and past tense used correctly).

6. Word Choice

Choose the correct word for the context. This concept covers subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, and idioms.

For example: “He gave advice” (correct) vs. “He gave advices” (incorrect).

7. Writing Strategy

In the ACT English section, you’ll encounter questions that focus on tone, consistency, and the overall purpose of the passage. You’ll need to decide when it’s appropriate to add or delete information, and what each paragraph or passage is trying to achieve. Practice recognizing the author’s intent and aligning your strategy to match.

8. Organization

Whether it’s arranging sentences within a paragraph or organizing the entire passage, structure plays a crucial role in clarity and coherence. Effective organization enhances clarity and makes the text easier to read and understand. For instance, paragraphs should flow in a logical sequence, with sentences that build on one another to strengthen the overall message.

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Final Thoughts on Improving English Scores in ACT Test

Mastering these 8 concepts will significantly improve your performance on the ACT English section. While studying, remember that practice makes perfect. Consider taking practice tests to apply these concepts in real-world scenarios and measure your progress.

Need additional support? A tutor can offer tailored support, helping you refine these skills even more. With the right approach, you’ll enter the test with confidence and readiness.