7 Test-Taking Strategies for Success on the PreACT 9

The PreACT 9 is a new factor for eighth-grade students applying to CPS Selective Enrollment High Schools. While a strong understanding of the academic content is essential, knowing how to approach the test can be just as important. The PreACT 9 is designed to measure what students have learned over time in classroom settings; that said, learning effective test-taking strategies that are specific to the PreACT 9, which are not always taught in schools, can help students demonstrate their knowledge and go into the exam with more confidence. By preparing not only what to study but also how to take this specific test, students can approach exam day with greater confidence.

1. Pace Yourself Throughout the Test

One of the biggest challenges students face is managing time. Every section of the PreACT 9 is timed, and it is easy to spend too long on a difficult question without even realizing it. Instead of trying to solve every problem perfectly on the first attempt, students should keep a steady pace. If a question seems especially challenging, it is often better to make the best possible choice and move forward (making a note to come back to it if there is time at the end) rather than risk running out of time.

This strategy is especially important for all four sections of the PreACT 9 because all four require students to balance accuracy with speed.

2. Read Every Question Carefully

Many students miss a question because they misread it, answering an invented question rather than the one that is actually being asked. Paying close attention to words such as "except," "not," "best," or "most likely" can prevent simple mistakes. Reading every answer choice before making a selection also helps students avoid choosing an option that seems correct before finding a better answer later in the list. It’s important to note that, particularly on the English and Reading sections, there may be two answers that are technically correct, but students should look for the best answer overall.

This strategy is particularly valuable in the English and Reading sections, where careful attention to wording is essential. That said, is also useful in the Math and Science sections when interpreting multi-step problems or analyzing data.

3. Use the Process of Elimination

When sunsure of the correct answer, eliminating choices that are clearly incorrect can greatly improve the odds of selecting the right one. Instead of viewing a difficult question as all or nothing and making a random guess, narrowing the possibilities allows students to make a more informed, educated guess. This strategy is especially effective because the PreACT 9 does not penalize students for incorrect answers, so every question should receive a response (even if it’s a guess).

The process of elimination can be applied to every section of the exam.

4. Answer Every Question

On that note, since there is no penalty for guessing, leaving questions unanswered only reduces the opportunity to earn points. If time is running short or a question seems especially difficult, students should eliminate any obviously incorrect answers and make their best educated guess. Even when confidence is low, a thoughtful guess always provides a better chance of earning points than no answer at all.

This strategy applies to every section of the PreACT 9.

5. Focus on Evidence Instead of Prior Knowledge

Some students assume they already know the answer based on what they have learned in class, but the PreACT 9 is designed to measure how well students can analyze the information provided in the question. Note that no outside information is required to succeed on the PreACT 9; while it may come in handy, relying on it too much can actually hinder rather than help a student. In the Reading section, answers should be supported by the passage rather than personal opinions or outside knowledge. Similarly, the Science section emphasizes interpreting graphs, charts, tables, and experimental results rather than recalling advanced scientific facts.

This strategy is most important in the Reading and Science sections, where the correct answer is usually found by carefully examining the information presented on the page.

6. Stay Calm When You Encounter Difficult Questions

Many students struggle with test anxiety, but even students who don’t will come across questions that seem unfamiliar or especially challenging. Strong test takers understand and can quickly internalize that one difficult question does not determine their overall score. Instead of becoming frustrated, they maintain their focus, continue working through the exam, and return their attention to questions they can answer confidently. Remaining calm helps students think more clearly and avoid mistakes caused by rushing or anxiety. This strategy takes practice, as nervousness around an important exam is nervous; that said, it is possible to help a student develop calming techniques to keep their head in the game.

This strategy benefits students throughout the entire exam and is especially helpful during the Math and Science sections, where difficult questions can sometimes interrupt a student's momentum.

7. Prepare Yourself Before Test Day

Successful testing begins before students ever enter the testing room. Getting enough sleep, eating a healthy breakfast, and arriving prepared with any required materials (scratch paper, extra pencils, water, snacks, calculator) can improve concentration and reduce unnecessary stress. Students should also complete practice tests under timed conditions before the exam so they can become comfortable with the pacing and format. Familiarity with the testing experience helps reduce anxiety and allows students to focus on demonstrating what they know.

This preparation supports success across every section of the PreACT 9 and helps students perform at their highest level from the first question to the last.

Test Prep Chicago can help your student prepare for the new PreACT 9, helping them develop the knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to succeed. As a licensed participant in the NTPA ACT Affiliate Tutor Program, we had been aware of the change from the CPS HSAT to the PreACT 9, and our team had already begun creating new PreACT 9 Secure curriculum. As such, students enrolled or looking to enroll in any courses or one-day workshops, or students beginning individual tutoring, can be assured that the content and test-taking strategies they are being taught will reflect the content seen on the new exam. All of our scheduled courses (sign up here) and one-day Palooza workshops (sign up here) will continue to run as planned, as will our individual tutoring sessions (sign up here), with the new PreACT 9 Secure content and test-taking strategies instead of the old CPS HSAT curriculum. Sign up now to help your student prepare!

Test-Taking Tips for the ACT & SAT

Standardized tests like the ACT and SAT can feel intimidating, but strong test-taking skills can make a meaningful difference regardless of a student’s starting score. While content knowledge and preparation is important, success on these exams also depends heavily on strategy, pacing, and mindset. Understanding how to approach the test itself allows students to stay focused, avoid common pitfalls, and make the most of the time they have on test day.

Time Management

One of the most important skills for both the ACT and SAT is time management. Neither test is designed for students to leisurely work through every question, so pacing must be intentional and practiced. Students should work within official time limits when taking practice tests and develop an internal sense of how long they can spend on each question. If a question is taking too long, it is usually better to move on and return later if time allows. Both exams reward accuracy, but it is always better to make educated guesses and answer all questions on the test than to leave any unanswered, as there is no penalty for incorrect answers.

Familiarity

Familiarity with question types is another key factor. The ACT and SAT are highly predictable in structure, meaning students will see the same styles of questions repeatedly from test to test. When students know what a question is really asking, recognize common traps, and have common conversions, equations, and rules memorized, they can respond more efficiently and with greater confidence. 

Process of Elimination

Process of elimination is a powerful tool on both exams. Even when a student is unsure of the correct answer, removing clearly incorrect options increases the odds of choosing correctly. Many wrong answer choices are designed to sound reasonable but contain subtle errors, exaggerations, or ideas not supported by the text. Slowing down just enough to compare answer choices carefully can prevent avoidable mistakes, and can also improve the accuracy of educated guesses.

Avoid Rushing & Double Check Work

Students should pay close attention to instructions and question wording. Rushing through directions often leads to simple errors that have nothing to do with content knowledge. Taking a brief moment to understand the task and double-checking work and answers can save time and points overall.

Organization

For math sections, organization matters. Writing down steps, labeling diagrams, and keeping work neat helps to avoid careless errors, especially on multi-step problems. On both the ACT and SAT, where a calculator is available for the entire math section, students should still think critically about whether using the calculator is efficient or if mental math is faster. 

Active Reading

Reading and science-style sections benefit from active reading. Rather than trying to memorize details, students should focus on understanding the main idea, purpose, and structure of each passage. Denoting where important information is located makes it easier to answer questions quickly and accurately. In data-heavy sections, students should rely on charts, graphs, and tables instead of overanalyzing the surrounding text.

Mindset

Finally, mindset plays a major role in performance. Staying calm after a difficult question or section is critical, as one challenging problem does not determine the overall score. Students who maintain focus, trust their preparation, and keep moving forward tend to perform more consistently. With practice, smart strategies, and confidence, students can approach both the ACT and SAT prepared to show what they know and reach their testing goals.

One of the benefits of working with Test Prep Chicago on ACT and SAT Prep is that our material includes practicing and reviewing test-taking strategies for each section seen on both exams. Our practice tests also include mindset reflections for questions that students answered incorrectly, helping them to understand exactly what errors are preventing them from getting question types correctly and providing them with strategies to help them improve.

Though all of our ACT prep courses have already begun, we still have an SAT prep course available for enrollment (click here to sign up). We are also offering one-day ACT workshops (click here) in advance of April ACT testing dates. Note that TPC is a Licensed Provider of Official ACT® Content, and our material includes Officially Licensed ACT® Content. For students looking for a more personalized prep program, TPC also offers individual tutoring for students taking either or both the ACT and SAT. Click here to learn more.

A Breakdown of the ACT

Colleges use ACT and SAT scores alongside grades, extracurriculars, and interviews to evaluate applicants and determine admissions. Scoring well on the ACT can broaden your student’s horizons, allowing them admittance to additional schools and, in some cases, access to additional scholarships.

To maximize the opportunity the ACT presents, students need to have a clear understanding of the structure of the exam and a prior knowledge of what types of questions to expect. Test Prep Chicago is a Licensed Provider of Official ACT® Content, and our material includes Officially Licensed ACT® Questions. Thanks to this, we are in a uniquely strong position to offer insights into this exam.

Here is an overview of the sections you can expect to see on the ACT:

English (50 questions. 35 minutes. 42 seconds per question)

The English test includes six to seven personal and informational essays of varying lengths. Longer passages of ~340 words will be accompanied by 10 questions, and shorter passages of ~185 words will be accompanied by 5 questions. You will be tested on a variety of topics, including grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, style, tone, topic development, organization and cohesion.

Math (45 questions. 50 minutes. ~67 seconds per question)

The math test includes questions that require you to solve practical math problems using logical reasoning. Approximately 80% of the math questions test high school level concepts, with the remaining 20% focusing on complex, multi-step problems and applicable knowledge of those concepts. At least 20% of all problems in the math section utilize mathematical models, such as graphs, diagrams, charts, matrices, etc. Note that an approved calculator is allowed for the math section.

Reading (36 questions. 40 minutes. ~67 seconds per question)

The reading test consists of three long passages and a pair of short passages. Passages will include both literary narratives and informational texts from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Each passage will have approximately 9 corresponding questions involving main ideas, details, point of view, and analysis of the author’s word choice and purpose.

Science* (40 questions. 40 minutes. 60 seconds per question)

The science test consists of six or seven passages that present scientific information from the natural sciences, including biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and astronomy. The information is presented in reading passages and graphic representations. Most questions in the science section will not test outside scientific knowledge but will instead rely more heavily on reading comprehension and interpretation of data. The answer to each question will typically be in the corresponding passage.

Writing* (1 prompt. 40 minutes.)

The writing test is a 40-minute essay designed to measure your writing skills. The prompt will present three different perspectives on a contemporary issue. You will be tasked with writing an essay in which you develop your own perspective on the issue and explore how it relates to at least one of the other perspectives. Essays are graded based on ideas and analysis, development and support, organization, and language use and conventions.

You can view upcoming ACT test dates and register your student for the exam at act.org. Test Prep Chicago offers 8-week ACT courses and one-day workshops throughout the city. We have many courses that begin the weekend of January 31st, that line up perfectly with the April 11th ACT testing date. You can register for one of our ACT courses here, and sign up for one of our one-day ACT Palooza workshops here. Want a more personalized approach that works with your schedule? Click here to see our individual tutoring options.

*The science and writing tests are optional for students testing privately. However, in Illinois public schools, students in grade 11 will take the ACT with writing, which includes tests in English, mathematics, reading, science, and writing.