Looking for ways to improve my ACT Reading score

Hi! I'm a junior and I've been taking ACT practice tests lately. My reading score isn't quite where I want it to be. Does anyone have any tried-and-true tips to enhance my ACT reading score? Thanks a bunch!

Hi there! It's understandable that you'd like to boost your ACT Reading score. Here are a few tips to help you enhance your performance in this section:

1. Develop a pacing strategy: The ACT Reading section has 40 questions in 35 minutes, meaning you have just under a minute per question. To stay on track, spend about 3-4 minutes reading the passage and the remaining time answering questions. Try not to spend more than a minute on each question.

2. Read strategically: Since time is limited, you may need to adjust your reading style. Skim through the passage focusing on main ideas, such as topic sentences, transitions, names, dates, and direct statements. As you read, actively ask yourself questions about the main themes and motivations behind the text to better engage with the material.

3. Annotate the passage: Underlining key statements or jotting down short notes can help you better recall details when answering questions. Choose a system that works best for you (e.g., circling names, underlining topic sentences) and maintain consistency while practicing.

4. Answer the questions in an optimal order: Start by answering questions about main ideas, then move on to questions that require referring back to specific details in the passage. This will ensure that your memory is fresh when recalling specific concepts while answering detail-oriented questions.

5. Process of elimination: Consider eliminating incorrect answer choices first, as it can increase the likelihood of selecting the correct answer. Look for choices that contain extreme language, contradicts the passage, or contains unrelated information.

6. Practice, practice, practice: There's no substitute for practice when it comes to improving your ACT Reading performance. Take advantage of free online resources and official ACT practice tests to familiarize yourself with the types of passages and questions you'll encounter in the actual test.

7. Reflect and adjust your strategies: After each practice test, review the answers you got wrong and try to identify patterns or problem areas (e.g., inference questions, main idea questions, time management). Once you've identified the issues, make appropriate adjustments to your strategy and practice again.

Implementing these strategies consistently during your practice sessions will help you build the necessary skills and confidence to tackle the ACT Reading section. Good luck!