How to Improve Your ACT Reading Score | 10+ Strategies

10+ on How to Improve Your ACT Reading Score

There are some effective tips and strategies for the reading section of the ACT to consider while studying for the reading component of the ACT and taking the test. Here is a list of the most common and helpful test-taking suggestions. tips for the reading section of the act

1. Start With the Easiest Passage to You 

Our first tip for improving ACT your reading score is a tried and true solution for test takers. As stated earlier, the Reading Test is 35 minutes long. The themes of all the passages are always in the same order: 

Prose, Social Studies, Humanities, and Natural Sciences. You can answer the passage that you feel most confident about first, before continuing with the rest.

2. The ACT is an Open-Book Test; Use It to Your Advantage

Since the ACT is open-book, there is no required reading preparation for any of the passages. The easiest thing about the ACT Reading Test is that all the information is given to you. You just need to use your comprehension skills to answer them correctly.

3. Use the ‘Short Note’ Method for ACT Reading Comprehension

When you read each passage, it helps to write short notes or underline words or phrases that you think would help you answer the questions. Focus on the topic and purpose of the passage and keep track of any differing opinions stated. 

This way, you can locate helpful hints. Try predicting an answer before looking at the choices so you already have a proper framework of what you will write down.

4. Read the Passage Thoroughly

It’s time-consuming and frustrating to look for an answer for ten different questions, while constantly going back to the passage you’re on to figure out the themes and ideas of it. Don’t skim. Use your time wisely and read the passage in full to grasp the overall idea before answering the questions.

5. Use the Line References 

You don’t have to use your memory while completing the ACT Reading Test. You can refer to the line references for each passage. Line references are little numbers you write on the right side of the passage to cite an important line in the text. 

These line references are to help accentuate the main ideas and supporting evidence. It helps with context, and you can also read the lines before it to help answer. For example, if a question talks about line 18, you refer to lines 12-17.

6. Eliminate Incorrect Answer Choices

Use order of elimination when looking for the correct answer. First, cross off any answers that you know are incorrect using your knowledge. Then, try to eliminate any answers using logic and common sense, based on the choice of words used in the answers. 

Remember, the ACT Reading Test isn’t meant to trick you, but to assess different areas of your reading comprehension.

7. Find the Author’s Point of View 

Try not to get lost in the details of the passage, or read too quickly and miss the important information. In this test, you have to look for the author’s perspective and the function of each paragraph, and remember the location of the details in case you need to refer to them later.

8. For Vocabulary in Context Questions, Refer Back to Passage

A word that is commonly used in modern-day language may take on a different definition within the ACT Reading passages. Do not assume that the common meaning of a word in the passage is correct; one word can have several meanings you do not know. 

For example, when you hear ‘murder’ you think of an attempt to take someone’s life, however a murder can also mean a pack of crows. Refer back to the passage to see what context the word is being used in. 

9. Predict Your Answers

Check the passage, read all the questions, and then predict your answer before looking at the answer choices. Once you’ve made your prediction, match it to the most appropriate or closest answer choice. Not only is this time-saving, but it could also prevent you from weighing each answer individually and you can move on. 

10. Simplify Complicated Questions

If there is a question that seems confusing or unclear, try to rephrase it to make it simpler. Here’s a suggestion: how would you explain the question to a small child? What is the question asking?

11. Underline Important Points

When critically reading, actively identify words and phrases revealing the author's viewpoint or main ideas in each paragraph. Write freely on the test booklet—underline, circle, and create concise three to five word summaries. This approach enhances understanding and serves as a helpful reference. Strike a balance between thorough notes and efficient time management.

12. Carefully Bubble Your Answer

When skipping around on the test, be careful in bubbling your answers into the correct spaces on the answer grid. Accuracy is crucial to avoid point deductions, so ensure your responses match with the corresponding numbers. Paying attention to this detail is as important as answering the questions themselves.

ACT Reading Score Scale

The Reading score scale measures your score by the structure and depth of your answer. The percentages below tell us the weight of each category of the Reading Test.

Key Ideas and Details (55–60%): This category requires you to read the passages closely to determine the central themes and summarize the information accurately. This category also assesses your understanding of the relationships between evidence and ideas. It will require you to draw logical conclusions, including understanding sequential, comparative, and cause-effect relationships.

Craft and Structure (25-30%): The questions in this category ask you to determine word and phrase meanings. You must analyze the text structure of the author’s word choice and understand their purpose and perspective. You should also interpret the conclusions and differentiate between various perspectives and sources of information.

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (13-18%): You are required to understand the author’s claims, separate fact from opinion, and use evidence to make connections between the texts related to the topic. Some questions will have you analyze how the author constructs their arguments and evaluate the reasoning along with evidence from various sources.

Your ACT score is graded by counting the number of questions on each section that you answer correctly. There is no penalty for guessing or getting it wrong. Then, your raw score is converted into ‘scale scores.’ Score scales refer to a raw score that has been converted into the consistent and standardized ACT scoring scale. 

All scores are converted the same, regardless of the year or school. You will have a composite score that consists of your scores from all sections of the ACT. The lowest score is 1, the highest is 36. 

All your scores are averaged and rounded to the nearest whole number. Your ACT score will be reported and aligned with the ACT College and Career Readiness Standards as well as other standards that target college and career preparation.

If you want help determining if you’re ready to take the ACT, check out this free quiz. It’s always helpful finding out if you’re ready to take a test before actually taking it. This test will help you out with that!