Junior Jacob Breinholt was able to pull off what most people could not: a 36 on the ACT. After taking several classes with a tutor in preparation for the test, he learned several simple tricks to achieve a higher score. On his first attempt, he got that perfect score most people have to retake the test several times for. An accomplishment like that does not come easy, and that’s why Breinholt has provided us with a few tips and ideas he used to prepare for the ACT.

1. Consider hiring a tutor. “My cousin is a tutor. He got a 35 on his and he tutors through Skype. So I took four classes with him.”
2. If you come upon a question you do not know how to answer, skip it quickly and move to the next one. Come back to it later if you have time. “Time comes down to the wire on some sections.”
3. Make sure you fill in all the questions you did not answer with a guess. One guess is better than no guesses!
4. The test has patterns. Look for them, and when you recognize those patterns, work with them. “The ACT is mostly patterns and if you can memorize certain patterns and the types of questions that show up then it’s really easy.”
5. Take a practice test. It will help you to be familiar with the test and how it works. It will also help you better manage your time when you take the real test.
6. Do not stress. It’s the best way to get a worse score than you should. Take it easy and let your mind focus on the task at hand. “Don’t stress about it, you’ll be fine.”