How to Improve Your ACT Score by 5+ Points

A 5-point improvement on the ACT can be the difference between "safety school" and "dream school." The good news? It's absolutely achievable with the right strategy. Most students leave points on the table not because they lack ability, but because they haven't optimized their approach.

Here's how to find those points.

Start with a Diagnostic

Before you can improve, you need to know where you stand. Take a full-length practice test under real conditions:

• Timed — stick to section time limits
• No distractions — phone away, door closed
• Score honestly — no peeking at answers mid-section

Your diagnostic score tells you two critical things: your starting point and your weakest sections. A 5-point composite improvement means raising your average across sections — and the biggest gains come from improving your weakest areas.

The 80/20 Rule of ACT Prep

Spend 80% of your study time on your weakest 1-2 sections. If you're scoring a 28 in English but a 22 in Math, grinding more English questions won't move the needle. Focus on Math.

This seems obvious, but most students default to practicing what they're already good at because it feels better. Resist that urge.

Section-Specific Strategies

English: Master the Rules

ACT English is the most "learnable" section. There are roughly 15 grammar rules that cover 80% of questions. Learn them, and your score jumps.

Quick wins:

• Learn comma rules (the #1 most tested concept)
• Understand subject-verb agreement with tricky sentence structures
• Know when to use "fewer" vs. "less," "who" vs. "whom"
• Always pick the most concise answer unless clarity requires more words
• Read the full sentence, not just the underlined portion

Math: Fill the Gaps

ACT Math tests a wide range of topics from pre-algebra to trigonometry. Most students have specific content gaps — topics they never learned or have forgotten.

Quick wins:

• Memorize key formulas (area, volume, distance, slope, quadratic)
• Learn to recognize when your calculator helps vs. hurts
• Practice translating word problems into equations
• Don't skip — guess strategically on hard questions and move on
• Back-solve by plugging answer choices into the equation

Reading: Work the Clock

Time management is the #1 Reading challenge. You have roughly 8-9 minutes per passage with questions.

Quick wins:

• Try different reading strategies to find what works for you
• Read the questions first for detail-heavy passages
• The answer is always supported by the text — avoid "sounds right" traps
• For main idea questions, focus on the first and last paragraphs
• Check out our full guide on ACT Reading strategies

Science: Read the Data

Despite its name, ACT Science is really about data interpretation. You don't need to memorize the periodic table.

Quick wins:

• Go straight to the questions, then look at the data
• Practice reading graphs, tables, and experiment descriptions quickly
• For conflicting viewpoints, identify what each scientist/student claims
• Don't get intimidated by jargon — the answer is in the figures

Build a Study Schedule

Consistency beats intensity. Here's a framework based on your timeline:

8-Week Plan (Recommended)

• Weeks 1-2: Diagnostic test, identify weak areas, learn content foundations
• Weeks 3-5: Focused practice on weak sections (30-45 min daily)
• Weeks 6-7: Full practice tests on weekends, targeted review during the week
• Week 8: Light review, rest before test day

4-Week Plan

• Week 1: Diagnostic, identify top 3 content gaps
• Weeks 2-3: Intensive practice on weak areas (45-60 min daily)
• Week 4: Practice test, review mistakes, light prep

2-Week Crunch

• Days 1-3: Diagnostic, identify highest-impact areas
• Days 4-10: Focus exclusively on 2 weakest sections
• Days 11-14: Practice test, review, rest

For any of these schedules, using an adaptive practice tool that targets your specific weaknesses will save you time and accelerate improvement.

Track Your Progress

Don't just practice — track. After every practice session, note:

• Which question types you're missing
• Whether it's a content gap or a strategy issue
• Your pacing (are you running out of time?)

Patterns will emerge. Maybe you're consistently missing comma questions, or you're spending too long on geometry. These patterns tell you exactly where to focus next.

Test Day Tips

All the prep in the world won't help if you crash on test day. Set yourself up:

• Sleep 8+ hours the two nights before (not just the night before)
• Eat a real breakfast — protein and complex carbs, not sugar
• Arrive early — rushing creates anxiety
• Bring extra pencils and a reliable calculator
• Skip and return — don't waste 3 minutes on a question worth the same as a 30-second one

The Bottom Line

A 5-point improvement isn't about studying more — it's about studying smarter. Find your weak spots, target them relentlessly, and practice under real conditions.

Want to find your weak spots right now? Take our free 10-question demo and see exactly where you stand.