Parents: Tips for Helping Your Child Prepare for the ACT

It's time for your child to take a major step toward college by taking the ACT examination. This test causes much anxiety because it will determine if he or she gets into their school of choice. As a parent, you want to do whatever is necessary to help your son or daughter score their very best on this test, but you may not know exactly what steps to take that will make things easier on them. Here are a few tips for parents to help their children prepare for the ACT.

Time their practice tests. You can set up a timer and keep track of it for your child while he is completing the practice booklet received in the ACT package. This will help your child learn how to manage their test time and discover which questions take longer for them to answer. If she breezes through English but gets caught up on Trigonometry, she'll know where to focus her attention to better prepare.

Help them find paper practice sources: Though the online tests may be an easier to find and may provide extra practice, remember the ACT will not be done on a computer. Keep this in mind. Studying on a digital format solely may cause a drop in score when transferred to the pencil and paper design of the actual test. Though online tests are great practice and offer varied questions, try to encourage your child to focus on their practice booklet or take them to your local library to borrow some ACT practice books. Online sources should be used only additionally.

Talk about the ACT with them: Just ask your child how they are feeling about the upcoming test. Ask which subjects are giving them the most difficulty. Ask their plans to overcome that difficultly. Allow them to brag about the subjects with which they'll have no trouble. Applaud their confidence, but warn about being over confident, reminding them to read carefully and avoid rushing. Offer any advice you may have or just lend an ear if you have none. Talking helps more than most of us know.

Remove unnecessary stress: If you know your teenager is juggling studying for the ACT, their regular school work, and anything else life is throwing at them, try to take some of the weight off their shoulders. Though they should keep their room and study space neat to facilitate learning, try to pick up on their chores the best you can. Do the dishes when it's your daughter's turn. Sacrifice date night for a bit so your son doesn't have to worry about babysitting the little brother. As a parent, you must be willing to do these things to help your child succeed.

Insist they eat breakfast and develop a healthy eating routine: Many teens like to skip this important first meal, but you must insist that your child eats breakfast. Breakfast is important because it provides the fuel for the day. They will better retain information from the school day if their mind is running on a healthy morning meal. Also, routine meals will help your teen's body know when to expect food, so they won't be hungry and uncomfortable during study times.

Have them study in the evening before bed, but not too late: Studies have shown that sleep helps cement the lessons we learn during the day in our memory. Morning cramming or studying while tired will only stay in a person's mind for a very brief period. Studying before a good night's sleep will help your child keep the lesson for a long time.

As test time approaches, prepare healthy meals that you know your child will eat. Healthy is important, but if your teenager finds it disgusting, they won't eat it. Still, you don't want to prepare an unhealthy meal that your child loves just to get them to eat it. Find a vitamin-rich but tasty meal, and have that the night before the test or plan many special meals for the week of the test.

Help your child take it easy the day before the test. Chances are they've been studying for weeks. There isn't much they are going to pick up now if they hadn't gotten it already. Yes, have them review any notes or memorization techniques they've come up with, but don't stress them out by having them study incessantly all day. Go for a walk together, watch a movie, play a game or anything else to alleviate any anxiety. Make sure they get to bed at a good time, though.

Taking a test as important as this can be scary for a teenager. Just be a loving parent and do all you can to help them succeed on their journey into adult life. They'll look back and remember your kind encouragement toward a great future.