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Avoid 3 Mistakes to Excel on ACT English Section

By U.S. News & World Report

The ACT English section consists entirely of multiple-choice questions that are based on several reading passages. This portion tests students in two main areas: rhetorical skills, such as style and organization, and mechanics, including syntax, punctuation and grammar.

The ACT English section can be daunting because it requires you to answer a wealth of questions in a short period of time and requires a different type of reading than you may be used to. To ensure your best performance on the ACT English section, veer away from these common traps.

[Find out how to avoid common SAT and ACT preparation mistakes.]

1. Overlooking “NO CHANGE” as a valid answer choice: To succeed on the ACT English section, you must read with a highly critical eye, much like that of an editor.

During this portion, you will be presented with short passages that contain underlined, numbered phrases. First read the passage closely.

Then read the question or statement that relates to each underlined, numbered phrase. For each, select the correct substitute for the section or select “NO CHANGE” when the original text is the best option.

While you may be tempted to suggest a correction for each underlined, numbered phrase, remember that a change is not always necessary. Each multiple-choice question is accompanied by four possible responses, the first of which is always “NO CHANGE.”

This implies that “NO CHANGE” is a plausible selection at least part of the time. A correction will be accurate in quite a few cases but not in all — don’t be afraid to choose “NO CHANGE” if it is the best answer choice.

[Learn college students’ best SAT, ACT test strategies.]

2. Working at an inconsistent or ill-timed pace: This section of the ACT can seem demanding when you consider you must answer 75 questions in 45 minutes. That gives you an average of 36 seconds per question. To account for unforeseen mishaps, round down and aim to answer two ACT English questions every minute.

Your timing is critical. For instance, if you spend almost a full minute on one particularly tricky item, you may fail to reach another question — one that may be far simpler. For this reason, it is essential that you monitor your timing.

This doesn’t mean you must glance at the clock every 30 seconds. In fact, such a habit could negatively affect your test performance.

Instead, practice taking a sample ACT English section with a timer. If you use a timer on every sample exam that you sit for, you will grow accustomed to the pace that is necessary on test day.

[Manage time wisely on the ACT writing test.]

3. Devoting attention to the wrong English elements: Again, to excel on the ACT English section, you must be able to read both efficiently and accurately.

Many high students unfortunately hold the mistaken belief that their reading level and style are unchangeable. As a result, they tend to devote their study efforts to other areas of literacy, such as spelling and vocabulary. While these aspects are certainly important in academia and the professional world, they are less central to this section of the ACT, which assesses items like organization and grammar.

Be aware that there are different ways of reading. In high school, you likely read to expand your knowledge — in other words, to absorb as many details about a topic as possible and to make sense of new information. On the ACT English section, your job is to find errors and question the author’s choices — you should not be concerned with taking in unfamiliar data.

When you prepare for the ACT, using sound study techniques is just as helpful as avoiding frequent mistakes. Now that you know common mistakes on the ACT English section, adjust your study routine accordingly.

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Avoid 3 Mistakes to Excel on ACT English Section originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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