Why ACT Prep Online Bootcamp is a Great Test Prep Solution
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Are you wondering when you should begin prepping your high school students for the ACT (and where to even begin)? There’s an ACT prep online solution that could be just what you’re looking for. Read on to learn when, why, and how you can help your kids prepare for this important exam.
If you’re homeschooling a high schooler, chances are you’ve thought about the ACT exam once or twice.
Do you have memories of taking this important standardized test? I definitely remember feeling pressure to do well, however, I didn’t think I need to study or prepare. The test was just going to measure what I knew, right? So I’d go in, give it my best shot, and take whatever score I got.
Looking back, this probably wasn’t the best strategy. I did pretty well in school growing up (which probably led to my nonchalant attitude toward the test), but I don’t think I realized how important it was, or how much I could have benefited from earning a higher score.
Because in reality, there are ways to strategically prepare (and help our kids prepare!) for the ACT. And there are many reasons why we should be thinking about this as our kids get to high school age, especially if they want to go to college.
If you’re in this stage right now, read on for a trusted ACT prep solution. And if you’re not quite here yet…you will be, so make sure to pin this post for later, because you’ll want to come back to it!
What is the ACT?
The ACT (stands for “American College Test”) is a multiple choice, standardized test that colleges use for their admissions process. English, math, reading, and scientific reasoning are tested on the ACT, plus there is an optional writing portion.
The SAT is another standardized test option that is accepted by colleges, but more and more each year students are taking the ACT over the SAT.
If your child is planning on attending a 4-year college or University in the United States, they will most likely want to prepare for taking the ACT exam.
When Should I Start ACT Prep?
You may have heard that it’s best to start actually taking the ACT “early and often”. In fact, a recommended strategy is to begin taking the test in 9th grade, and continue taking it 2-3 times each year through 11th grade (you can take the ACT up to 12 times total).
That may seem like a lot, but the hope is that scores would progressively increase as your child gets more comfortable and familiar with the test, and you would then choose their best score to submit for their college application.
Which means…if they are going to begin taking the test early, they’ll want to begin prepping early, if possible. College admissions and many scholarships depend on certain ACT scores, so it’s important to plan for this as you do with your other curriculum choices.
But…I don’t want you to worry if your kids are well into high school and haven’t yet begun ACT prep. It’s never too late to get started, and there are some great tools that will help when you’re ready.
ACT Prep Online Bootcamp for the Win
You know that you want to help your kids prep for the ACT, but where should you begin?
Homeschool ACT Prep Online Bootcamp is a great place to start, and a course that can help your kids reach their ACT goals if they are willing to put in the effort.
Greg Landry is the creator and instructor of this 4-week ACT Prep Online course. He is a homeschool dad and former college professor who has been helping homeschoolers with ACT prep for over 15 years (in other words…he knows what he’s doing!).
Should My Kids Take This Course?
There are three types of kids this course will benefit:
- those who are college-bound
- those that want to maximize the scholarships they earn, and
- those who struggle with test anxiety (or aren’t familiar with taking standardized tests)
If your kids want to go to college, this class is a no-brainer during their high school years. As mentioned above, standardized test scores play a big part in admissions decisions. Most schools require students either take the ACT or SAT, and then you can submit either one as part of the application process.
If your child wants to earn scholarships and grants, you probably know that higher test scores often equal more money (sometimes tens of thousands of dollars more!). When you look at the cost of attending college these days, a little extra ACT prep can pay off in a big way.
Finally, your homeschooler might not have much experience with standardized testing. Now typically, I’m fine with that! But it can be an obstacle to overcome when faced with a big unfamiliar, important exam. And if your son or daughter struggles with test anxiety on top of that, the ACT Prep Online Bootcamp gives them extra practice so they feel more comfortable and confident come test day.
Specific Benefits of the ACT Prep Online Bootcamp
There was a time when students would study for and take both the ACT and SAT, due to the difference in style of the tests. However, course instructor Greg Landry notes that the majority of students who take both tend to have similar scores, and in his experience, homeschoolers tend to perform better on the ACT (and like it’s style more!) for many reasons.
The ACT Prep Online Bootcamp course will help your kids focus solely on preparing for this exam, so they will have the best chance possible to score well or improve a previous score.
Here are some of the biggest benefits I think this course has to offer:
- Students learn test strategy. For example, they will learn specific strategies for math (such as how to best approach multiple choice math problems), the science reasoning section (which makes up about 25% of the ACT), what to do when they don’t know an answer, and how to pick out “fake” answers that are designed to look like the correct answer.
- Common mistakes to avoid. In this course, Greg teaches students about a big mistake 80% of students make on this exam…and how they can avoid it.
- Familiarity with structure of the test. Students will take actual ACT tests to practice and gain familiarity with the format. They’ll begin to recognize – and conquer – patterns in the ACT.
- Time management. Kids will learn how to effectively manage their time while taking multiple practice tests.
I gotta be honest…so many of these I wish I had known and been prepared for when I took the ACT!
What to Expect
Now, this is a bootcamp, so it’s going to take some work on your child’s part. There are no prerequisites; any and all high school students can take this course!
Once signed up, your kids will:
- take 4 45-60 minute online classes. Although the classes are live, they are also recorded, so your kids can watch anytime.
- take 4 ACT strategy tests.
- take 5 ACT practice tests. These include real ACT questions!
- complete ACT strategy homework over a 4-week period. These assignments will take about 5-7 hours per week, and will be turned in.
This ACT Prep Online Bootcamp covers so much ground that will truly help your kids prepare as well as they can if they put the effort in. You can read more about all of the course contents here.
Your kids will receive a final grade for this course, and you can count it on your high school transcript for 1 semester of test taking and college study skills (bonus!).
Other Considerations
One of my favorite things about College Prep Science and Greg’s classes is His love for the Lord, and desire to help students see God in everything they learn about. All courses through College Prep Science are Christ-Centered, and they begin in prayer.
Register Your High Schooler for ACT Prep Online Bootcamp
If your kids are planning on taking the ACT, this Homeschool ACT Prep Bootcamp will help make them an expert on the test and give them a leg-up going into the exam.
You can learn more details and register here.
And while you’re there, check out all of the other online science and math classes that College Prep Science has to offer (and all of the Science freebies you can grab for your homeschool).
I’d love to hear from you in the comments: are you homeschooling a high schooler this year? Have you begun the process of prepping for the ACT? What has your strategy been?
I hope this post has been helpful to you, and your kids will learn how to rock this test through the Homeschool ACT Prep Bootcamp. Good luck!
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