ACT Math Tips: How to Memorize Formulas
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June 10, 2021
The ACT Mathematics test mostly comprises your high school math formulas and concepts. Shouldn’t be very hard to prepare for, right? But there is more to it than meets the eye. It can be quite challenging in terms of time constraints and absence of any cheat sheet. Considering that the test contains 60 questions in all that you must answer in 60 minutes without any formulas available, you must access some ACT math tips to memorize those formulas.
In fact, you should try and boil down the formulas to a priority-based list so that you can easily commit them to memory before you attempt the test. The ACT math test will majorly cover the areas of
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Probability
- Statistics
- Logarithms
It is up to you to see which formulas you find easy to remember and which ones need a little more effort and prepare a list accordingly.
Apart from that, we have a few ACT math tips and strategies on how you should go about preparing for the test to get an amazing score.
ACT Math Tip #1
Create a Method to Attempt Any Question
First, read the question carefully and observe the answer options available. Begin by backsolving the question and picking numbers to avoid algebra (However, keep from picking numbers 0 and 1 that have special properties).
Leverage traditional mathematics and apply a technique to guess the answer. Verify that you answered the correct question and move on to the next question.
ACT Math Tip #2
See Words As Math Concepts
It will save you a lot of time. Translate one word at a time into math such as think “of” as “multiply”.
ACT Math Tip #3
Keep Properties in Mind
Keeping number properties such as odds and evens, and prime numbers in mind will help you solve questions quickly. Picking numbers can help you memorize the rules better.
ACT Math Tip #4
Clarify Your Concepts of Triangles
Commit to memory the rules of 30-60-90 and 45-45-90. Since you won’t get any cheat sheet with the test, you must learn by heart the Pythagorean triplets including 3:4:5 and 5:12:13 as well as their multiples.
ACT Math Tip #5
Keep Common Shapes on Tips
When you are attempting the ACT math test, recognize simple shapes so that you can break those complex figures into plain polygons such as triangles, pentagons, or hexagons.
ACT Math Tip #6
Strengthen Your Relationships
It is important to understand clearly what ratios, percentages, and values are and how they are different from each other. For example, a ratio can define a relationship between two numbers. When solving an ACT math problem, it can be extremely helpful if you can instantly convert percentages into fractions or even decimals.
Following the aforementioned tips, you can be confident that you are ready to take the ACT math test with good grace.
In addition, another thing that you should take into consideration is that the test instructions will be too long for you to take a look at when sitting for the test. So, you should know them ahead of time.
Here’s a gist of the ACT math test instructions:
- Pick the correct answer choice to each given question and black out the corresponding bubble on the answer sheet provided to you.
- If you get stuck on a question, don’t spend too much time on it and move on to the next question so that you can solve maximum problems within the allotted time.
- You are allowed to use a calculator for the test for any question of your choice. However, you should try and solve some questions without a calculator.
- Now that you have a list of ACT math section tips with you along with the set of instructions, you can say goodbye to your anxiety.
- If you’re still fretting over whether you would be able to take the ACT math test with a calm mind and a relaxed body, we’ve a few more tricks that will help you feel sure of yourself and memorize the formulae faster and for a long time.
- Develop Concentration
Remembering Math formulas requires a concentrated mind that absorbs each and every concept and retains it for a long period of time. Thus, work to improve your level of focus and concentration. - Leverage Different Channels to Memorize
The human mind works in magical ways, especially when it comes to memorizing things. You can learn those formulae either by writing them down, saying them out loud, listening to podcasts, or watching related videos.
You can even stick the list of formulae on your wall to see them every time you pass by that wall. - Keep Practicing
Sounds like a cliché? But it’s not when you understand how by simply practicing using the formulas, you will have them stuck in your head such that you will solve each question with ease. - Exercise Regularly
Need we say how exercise makes every aspect of your life easier to handle? Well, exercise will help you breathe more oxygen and keep you healthy enough to have complex formulas on your fingertips and focus better. - Avoid distractions
In today’s world, we don’t think twice before picking our smartphones and answering a call or text. And we absolutely go about scrolling through the social media feed stupidly. When preparing for the ACT math test, understand that multitasking is definitely hampering your ability to memorize or practice. Make sure when learning the formulas, you only focus on that one thing. - Use Memory Tricks
Telling yourself a story is the best way to learn or memorize anything in the world. Only this story should involve the formulas that you are trying to memorize. Storytelling will help you remember each formula in a particular order and this is why it is one of our all-time favorite ACT math tips for you.
Stick to these amazing ACT math tips and strategies this time you start preparing for your test and be ready to pass it in flying colors!