If you’ve ever stared down at a math problem, unsure of how to begin to solve it, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, college admissions tests like the ACT and SAT are timed, so you have precious little time to panic over a difficult problem. If you don’t know what to do, should you guess on the ACT? If needed, yes!
Knowing ACT math test tips, strategies, and formulas to help you solve questions the “right” way is essential to doing well on the ACT, but having a backup plan is arguably just as important. Use the ACT guessing tips in this guide to get past the questions that leave you stumped so you don’t have to leave the answer sheet blank.
Should you guess on the ACT math test?
While you’ll ideally be able to solve questions on the ACT test as intended, guessing on the ACT math test is absolutely the right choice if you can’t figure out the answer. You won’t lose points for wrong answers on the ACT, so guessing is better than not answering at all!
Your ACT test score is calculated by averaging the scores you get on each of the four required sections: English, math, reading, and science. That means that a higher score on one section can compensate for a lower score to give you a better composite (total) score. Only a select few students who take the test get a perfect 36 composite score, but leaving questions blank guarantees you will not be among them.
7 strategies to help you guess on the ACT
Guessing doesn’t have to mean picking a completely random answer. Sometimes, guessing is ignoring (or not knowing) the “correct” way to solve a problem and using the multiple-choice answers to your advantage. Try these seven ACT guessing strategies on the next problem that stumps you to give yourself your best chance at selecting the correct answer.
