Navigating the ACT English Section with Confidence

Overview of the ACT English Test

Introduction to the ACT English Section

The ACT English Test is one of the four core sections of the ACT, which is a standardized exam commonly used for college admissions in the United States. This portion of the exam is designed to measure your ability to understand, revise, and edit a variety of written texts. Rather than focusing on obscure grammar rules or memorized vocabulary, the test assesses your practical understanding of English as it is used in real-life contexts—academic, professional, and everyday writing.

The English test gives you 45 minutes to answer 75 multiple-choice questions. These questions are based on five passages, each of which represents a piece of writing in need of revision. Each passage has 15 associated questions that ask you to correct grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, or rhetorical elements like tone and organization.

Structure of the Test

The ACT English section is composed of five separate passages. Each passage represents a different type of writing, ranging from narrative and informational essays to workplace communication and argumentative texts. The passages may vary in topic, but all are structured to simulate realistic pieces of written communication that require editing and revision.

Each passage is followed by a series of questions that appear in order, corresponding to specific underlined portions of the passage. These underlined parts often contain errors or areas for improvement. You’ll be presented with four answer choices, one of which may be “NO CHANGE.” If you believe the original underlined portion is correct as it stands, then choosing “NO CHANGE” is appropriate.

The 75 questions are distributed evenly across the five passages (15 per passage), but the types of questions vary significantly. Some focus on grammar and punctuation, while others ask you to improve the clarity or structure of the writing.

Skills Tested in the ACT English Section

The ACT English Test evaluates a broad set of language skills that fall into three primary categories:

1. Production of Writing – This category includes questions that assess your understanding of how to develop a topic, organize ideas effectively, and maintain unity and cohesion within a passage. 
2. Knowledge of Language – These questions focus on word choice, tone, style, and clarity. You’re tested on how well you can make a passage more concise, precise, and consistent in tone. 
3. Conventions of Standard English – This category includes the majority of the questions and evaluates your understanding of grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, and usage rules. 

You will not be tested on vocabulary definitions, spelling, or isolated grammar memorization. Instead, you will need to apply grammar principles in the context of actual writing. The emphasis is on real-world editing and revising rather than rule recitation.

Common Types of Questions

The ACT English questions typically fall into these categories:

• Grammar and Usage – These questions test your ability to use proper verb forms, pronouns, modifiers, and other grammatical elements. 
• Punctuation – You may be asked to correct errors in comma usage, apostrophes, colons, semicolons, and quotation marks. 
• Sentence Structure – Questions in this group assess whether you can identify and fix run-ons, fragments, and awkward constructions. 
• Style and Tone – Some questions test your ability to make the writing more effective by improving transitions, word choice, and tone consistency. 
• Organization – These questions involve rearranging sentences or paragraphs, selecting the most logical order of ideas, and improving clarity and flow. 
• Rhetorical Skills – You’ll need to determine the best way to open or conclude a passage or decide whether a detail is relevant or unnecessary. 

Timing and Strategy

Since you have 45 minutes to answer 75 questions, you will need to work quickly and efficiently. That gives you approximately 36 seconds per question, which means time management is crucial. It’s important to pace yourself and not spend too long on any single question.

One effective strategy is to skim the entire passage before answering questions. This allows you to get a sense of the context and tone, which can help you choose better answers, especially for questions about style or overall structure. Once you understand the passage, you can go back and tackle the questions one by one, paying attention to both the underlined text and the surrounding context.

Always read all four answer choices carefully. Many incorrect answers are designed to look right at a glance but contain subtle errors. Use the process of elimination to rule out wrong answers, and if necessary, plug in each remaining choice to see which one sounds best in the context of the sentence or passage.

Don’t forget to consider “NO CHANGE” seriously. The original sentence is sometimes correct, and over-editing can introduce new problems. If you don’t see a clear improvement among the other options, the best answer might be to leave the sentence as it is.

Example Question Breakdown

Let’s consider a sample sentence from a passage:

“The athletes had trained every day for the big competition.”

Here’s a sample question that might follow:

1. NO CHANGE
   B. Every day
   C. every-day
   D. each day

In this case, the correct answer is B. Every day. “Everyday” is an adjective meaning “common” or “ordinary,” but in this context, we need the adverbial phrase “every day,” which means “each day.” Understanding the difference between similar-looking words is part of what makes the ACT English test challenging.

Context is Key

A crucial point to remember on the ACT English Test is that most questions depend on the context in which a sentence or word appears. You cannot reliably answer many questions without reading the full sentence and sometimes even the paragraph. This is especially true for questions that ask about the logic or flow of ideas, where skipping ahead or looking only at the underlined portion can lead you astray.

Some questions are placed at the end of a passage and ask you to evaluate the structure of an entire paragraph or even the passage as a whole. For example, you might be asked whether a paragraph should be deleted, moved, or reworded to better match the main idea. To answer these, you need to understand the “big picture” of what the passage is trying to accomplish.

Importance of Familiarity and Practice

The more comfortable you are with reading and editing different types of texts, the better prepared you’ll be for the ACT English Test. Many students make the mistake of treating it like a pure grammar exam, but it is much more than that. It’s about understanding how language works in context and being able to evaluate the clarity, effectiveness, and appropriateness of writing.

Familiarity with common grammar and style issues is essential. But equally important is the ability to evaluate writing holistically, to decide what makes a sentence clearer or what phrase better maintains the tone of the passage.

Practicing with real or simulated ACT passages will help you recognize patterns in the types of questions asked. Over time, you’ll develop a sense of what the test is looking for and how to identify the best revision choices quickly.

Content Categories Explained

The ACT English Test is divided into three core content areas: Production of Writing, Knowledge of Language, and Conventions of Standard English. Each category focuses on a different skill set that contributes to your overall ability to revise and edit written text effectively. Understanding these categories is essential for preparing intelligently and recognizing the kinds of questions that will appear.

Production of Writing (29%–32% of the test)

This category measures your ability to understand and improve the development, organization, and cohesion of ideas within a passage. Rather than focusing on grammar or mechanics, these questions evaluate whether the writing communicates its ideas effectively and logically. These are higher-level rhetorical questions that test your editing judgment.

Topic Development

Questions in this sub-area ask you to improve how ideas are introduced, expanded, and concluded. You may be asked to select the best sentence to begin a paragraph, add a supporting example, or evaluate whether a sentence is relevant to the passage’s focus.

Typical tasks include:

• Choosing a sentence that introduces a paragraph’s main idea 
• Deciding whether a specific sentence should be added or deleted 
• Evaluating how well a sentence supports the main point of a paragraph 

Example scenario: You may be presented with a sentence that includes a personal anecdote in a formal argumentative passage. The question might ask whether this anecdote supports the purpose of the paragraph. If it distracts from the argument or feels out of place, the best option might be to delete it.

You’ll need to pay attention to the overall focus of the passage and decide if each sentence fits with the purpose and tone. Some answers will add irrelevant or repetitive information. Others may shift the focus away from the main idea. These should be eliminated.

Organization

Organization questions ask you to evaluate how information is ordered within a paragraph or across the passage. You might need to rearrange sentences so that they follow a logical progression or choose a better transitional sentence to link paragraphs.

Common question types include:

• Selecting the correct sequence of sentences 
• Choosing a transition that enhances logical flow 
• Identifying misplaced sentences and suggesting a better position 

Example: Suppose a paragraph explains a process in chronological order, and a sentence is placed out of order. The question might ask where the sentence should be moved to better reflect the timeline of events. You’ll have to identify which position keeps the paragraph logically ordered.

Transitions are another key focus. Transition words like “however,” “therefore,” and “for example” guide the reader through the passage. The test will often ask you to evaluate whether a transition is appropriate for the relationship between ideas.

Unity and Cohesion

Unity means the content of a paragraph stays focused on one main idea. Cohesion means that the ideas in the passage flow smoothly from one to another. These questions test your ability to maintain that focus and flow.

You may be asked whether a sentence should be deleted or revised to better support the paragraph’s central idea. Sometimes you’ll be asked to identify the best concluding sentence to wrap up a paragraph.

When choosing the right answer, think about the purpose of the paragraph. Does the sentence in question support or distract from that purpose? Is it repeating something already stated? Does it logically connect to the sentence before it?

Unity and cohesion are essential for clarity. When a sentence introduces a new, unrelated topic or repeats a point already made, it breaks the paragraph’s flow and weakens the argument or explanation. Your task is to recognize these weak spots and suggest improvements.

Knowledge of Language (13%–19% of the test)

This category assesses your ability to improve the effectiveness of writing by choosing more precise words, making writing more concise, and maintaining consistency in tone and style. These questions are often subtle but can significantly affect the quality of the writing.

Word Choice

These questions ask you to choose the most appropriate word or phrase in the context of a sentence. You might need to select between commonly confused words (like “affect” vs “effect”) or between a formal and informal tone.

Word choice questions test how well you understand nuance, context, and connotation. You’ll be expected to recognize which word better matches the tone of the passage or which term more clearly expresses an idea.

Example: If a sentence in a formal report uses the phrase “a bunch of,” a better choice might be “several” or “several,” which are more appropriate in tone. The word “bunch” would be too casual for that context.

Pay attention to:

• Tone: Is the writing formal, informal, objective, or persuasive? 
• Specificity: Is the word too vague or too broad? 
• Precision: Does the word express exactly what the author means? 

Conciseness

Conciseness questions ask you to revise wordy or redundant phrases to make the writing clearer and more direct. The ACT often rewards the shortest, most direct answer, so long as it maintains the original meaning.

You’ll often see options that include wordy constructions like “because,” which can be more clearly expressed as “because.” Redundant phrases like “history” or “plans” can be edited down to a single word.

Example: The sentence “He concluded at the end of the experiment” is redundant. A concise revision would be “He concluded the experiment.”

Conciseness is a hallmark of strong writing, and the ACT favors answers that eliminate clutter while preserving meaning. Watch out for repetition, unnecessary modifiers, and filler words.

Style and Tone Consistency

Some questions ask you to revise sentences so they match the style and tone of the surrounding text. If a passage is written in a formal tone, inserting slang or overly casual language would be inappropriate. Likewise, if a passage is written conversationally, a sudden shift to complex or academic vocabulary might feel out of place.

You may also encounter questions that ask you to maintain a consistent point of view, such as third-person narration throughout an informational essay.

Example: In a historical passage, a sentence like “This dude was a game-changer” is inconsistent with a formal tone. A more suitable revision might be “This individual had a significant impact on the outcome.”

When answering these questions, read several surrounding sentences to get a sense of the passage’s voice. Avoid changes that create a mismatch in tone or make the writing sound disjointed.

Key Takeaways for These Content Areas

Understanding how each content category operates is essential for targeting your preparation. While Conventions of Standard English (covered in the next section) make up the bulk of the test, questions from Production of Writing and Knowledge of Language require you to think critically about how language works in larger contexts.

These two categories test your ability to:

• Develop and organize ideas 
• Evaluate whether details support the purpose of a paragraph. 
• Choose the clearest, most effective phrasing. 
• Ensure the passage flows smoothly and maintains a consistent tone. 

Here are some practical strategies:

• Always read the full sentence before answering the question 
• Eliminate options that are wordy, vague, or off-topic. 
• Make sure transitions reflect the actual relationship between ideas. 
• Read beyond the underlined portion to understand the larger context. 
• Avoid choosing answers that sound impressive but don’t fit the tone or purpose of the passage. 

Working through practice questions that focus on these two categories will sharpen your editing skills. As you review passages, ask yourself why one version of a sentence is more effective than another. Try rewriting sentences for clarity, and analyze how different word choices can change the impact of a sentence.

Conventions of Standard English

The largest portion of the ACT English Test—over half of the total questions—comes from the Conventions of Standard English content area. This section focuses on your ability to recognize and correct errors in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and usage. Mastery of these foundational writing skills is crucial, as they form the technical framework behind clear and effective writing.

You will need to understand how to identify errors and make appropriate revisions that improve the clarity, accuracy, and readability of a text. Most of these questions involve correcting or improving underlined portions of the passage based on grammar rules and writing conventions.

Sentence Structure and Formation

A key part of Standard English is understanding how sentences are constructed. You’ll need to recognize whether a sentence is complete, whether it contains fragments or run-ons, and how clauses should be joined properly.

Sentence Fragments

A sentence fragment is an incomplete thought. It may be missing a subject, a verb, or both, or it may be a dependent clause standing alone.

Example:
“Because she forgot her keys.”
This is a dependent clause and doesn’t form a complete sentence. A correct revision would be:
“Because she forgot her keys, she couldn’t enter the house.”

You will often be asked to identify whether an underlined portion is a fragment or to choose the option that completes the sentence logically and grammatically.

Run-On Sentences and Comma Splices

A run-on occurs when two or more independent clauses are incorrectly joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions. A comma splice is a specific kind of run-on where two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction.

Run-on Example:
“She loves to paint, she takes classes every weekend.”

Comma splice:
“She loves to paint, she takes classes every weekend.”

Both versions are incorrect. Correct options might include:

• “She loves to paint. She takes classes every weekend.” 
• “She loves to paint, and she takes classes every weekend.” 
• “Because she loves to paint, she takes classes every weekend.” 

You’ll be expected to identify and fix these issues by choosing the best punctuation or restructuring the sentence entirely.

Coordination and Subordination

This concept deals with how ideas are logically related and how they are expressed in sentences. Coordination joins two equally important ideas, often with a conjunction like “and,” “but,” or “or.” Subordination shows that one idea depends on the other, using conjunctions like “because,” “although,” or “since.”

Example of subordination:
“Although he was tired, he kept studying.”

Example of coordination:
“He was tired, but he kept studying.”

Questions may test your understanding of how sentence elements should be connected for clarity and emphasis.

Punctuation

Correct punctuation improves clarity and ensures that writing follows formal standards. You’ll be tested on a variety of punctuation marks and their appropriate usage.

Comma Usage

Commas are often tested, and their use can be tricky. On the ACT, you may need to:

• Use commas to separate items in a series:
  “She bought apples, oranges, and bananas.” 
• Use commas after introductory elements:
  “After the movie, we went for ice cream.” 
• Use commas to set off nonessential clauses:
  “My brother, who lives in Chicago, is visiting next week.” 
• Avoid unnecessary commas that break sentence flow. 

Incorrect comma use is one of the most common errors on the ACT. You must determine whether the comma helps or hurts the sentence’s clarity.

Apostrophes

Apostrophes are used to show possession or to form contractions. Commonly tested situations include:

• Singular possessive:
  “The student’s book” (one student) 
• Plural possessive:
  “The students’ books” (more than one student) 
• Contractions:
  “It’s” = “It is”
  “Its” = possessive form of “it” 

Errors often involve confusing contractions and possessive forms or placing the apostrophe incorrectly in plural words.

Semicolons and Colons

Semicolons are used to join two related independent clauses without a conjunction.

Example:
“I planned to go hiking; the weather changed my plans.”

Colons are used to introduce lists, explanations, or elaborations.

Example:
“She brought everything she needed: a flashlight, water, and a map.”

Both punctuation marks require the clause before them to be complete. This is a common source of error.

Dashes and Parentheses

Dashes and parentheses can be used to insert additional information into a sentence. While both can interrupt the flow of a sentence to add an aside, they must be used consistently and clearly.

Example with dashes:
“Her answer—the one that surprised everyone—was correct.”

These punctuation marks are used less frequently on the test but still appear occasionally in passages with complex sentence structures.

Usage

Usage questions test your understanding of the relationship between words in a sentence, including how subjects and verbs interact, how pronouns refer to antecedents, and how verb tenses function within context.

Subject-Verb Agreement

A verb must agree in number with its subject. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.

Example:
“The list of items is on the table.”
Even though “items” is plural, the subject is “list,” which is singular.

Watch out for:

• Phrases that come between the subject and the verb 
• Subjects joined by “or” or “nor” 
• Collective nouns (team, group, class) 

Verb Tense and Consistency

Verb tense must reflect the time of the action and be consistent throughout the sentence or paragraph unless a change in time is indicated.

Example:
“She was walking to school and saw a stray dog.”
Switching tenses without a logical reason, such as “She walks to school and sees a stray dog,” is incorrect.

You’ll also encounter questions that test irregular verbs or shifts between active and passive voice. The correct answer will often be the one that keeps the tense consistent with the rest of the passage.

Pronoun Usage and Agreement

Pronouns must refer to a specific noun (called an antecedent) and agree in number and gender.

Examples:

• Ambiguous reference:
  “When Sam met Jack, he was angry.”
  It’s unclear who “he” refers to. 
• Agreement error:
  “Each student must bring their book.”
  “Each” is singular, so it should be “his or her book.” 

Other common issues involve using the correct case of a pronoun:

• Subjective case: “She and I went to the store.” 
• Objective case: “He gave the book to her and me.” 

Questions may also test reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself, themselves), which are often misused.

Modifier Placement

Modifiers describe or limit other words. When misplaced or dangling, they confuse.

Misplaced modifier:
“She almost drove her kids to school every day.”
This implies she didn’t drive them, only almost did. A clearer version:
“She drove her kids to school almost every day.”

Dangling modifier:
“Running down the street, the bus was missed.”
This incorrectly suggests the bus was running. A clearer version:
“Running down the street, she missed the bus.”

These errors can often be corrected by rearranging the sentence so the modifier clearly and logically refers to the correct noun.

Examples of Common Errors and Corrections

Let’s look at a few examples that represent the types of errors tested:

Incorrect: The committee has reached its decision.
Correct: The committee has reached its decision.
(Collective noun takes a singular verb and a pronoun)

Incorrect: The student enjoyed playing the violin.
Correct: The student enjoyed playing the violin.
(Certain verbs are followed by gerunds, not infinitives)

Incorrect: Neither the teacher nor the students were prepared.
Correct: Neither the teacher nor the students were prepared.
(The verb agrees with the closer subject)

Strategies for Mastering This Section

Here are a few techniques to help you succeed with Conventions of Standard English questions:

• Read the full sentence before and after the underlined section 
• Identify the subject and verb, and check for agreement. 
• Replace pronouns with the nouns they refer to, to check for clarity. 
• Eliminate overly complicated or redundant answer choices. 
• Choose the most grammatically correct and concise answer. 
• When in doubt, reread the sentence out loud to hear what sounds right 

The ACT rewards precision, clarity, and control of standard English. As you practice, focus on not just identifying errors but understanding why the correct answer is best. Pay close attention to punctuation patterns and sentence structure in your reading and writing. The more exposure you get, the more familiar these patterns will become.

Scoring, Importance, and Preparation Tips

The final part of understanding the ACT English Test is knowing how it is scored, why it matters for your academic and career path, and how to effectively prepare for it. This section breaks down how your performance is measured, how it can impact your future opportunities, and what strategies you can use to improve your score.

How the ACT English Test Is Scored

Each correct answer on the ACT English section earns you one raw point. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so you should always answer every question, even if you are unsure of the correct response. Once all 75 questions are scored, your raw score is converted into a scaled score on a range from 1 to 36. This scaled score is what appears on your official ACT report.

Your English score is one of the four main multiple-choice test scores, alongside Math, Reading, and Science. The average of these four scores becomes your composite ACT score, also on a 1–36 scale.

If you also take the optional Writing section, your English score contributes to a separate combined score called the ELA score (English Language Arts), which averages your English, Reading, and Writing scores. However, the Writing test is optional and scored separately on a 2–12 scale.

Score Reporting and Subscores

In addition to your overall English scaled score, your ACT score report includes subscores for the three major content areas in the English section:

1. Production of Writing 
2. Knowledge of Language 
3. Conventions of Standard English 

Each subscore is shown as a percentage of questions answered correctly within that category. You’ll also see how your scores compare to national averages and benchmarks for college readiness. These benchmarks are indicators set by ACT that estimate the likelihood of earning a C or higher in a first-year college composition course.

If you’re below the benchmark, that’s a sign you might need additional preparation either before retaking the ACT or before starting college-level English courses.

Why the ACT English Score Matters

Your ACT English score is more than just a number. It plays a critical role in determining:

• College admission eligibility: Many colleges look at your ACT composite score and individual section scores during the admissions process. A strong English score can strengthen your application, especially if you plan to study majors involving communication, writing, journalism, education, or humanities. 
• Placement in college courses: Colleges often use ACT English scores to determine which English class a student should begin with. A low score might place you into a remedial or non-credit course, delaying progress toward your degree. A strong score could qualify you to skip introductory classes or even earn credit. 
• Scholarship opportunities: Some scholarships have ACT score cutoffs, and a higher English score could qualify you for more financial aid, particularly if the award is merit-based. 
• Academic advising and planning: Advisors use ACT scores to help guide students into appropriate programs. If your English score indicates a weakness in grammar, structure, or writing mechanics, your advisor might recommend tutoring or additional coursework. 

Even if you’re not planning to pursue a writing-intensive major, English skills are important across disciplines. Clear communication, logical reasoning, and effective organization are valuable in nearly every career field.

How to Prepare for the ACT English Test

Preparation for the ACT English section should be both strategic and consistent. The goal is to understand what types of questions are asked, develop an instinct for correct sentence construction, and build the skills to evaluate clarity and correctness under time pressure.

Step 1: Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Start by taking a full-length practice test. After scoring it, analyze the questions you missed. Categorize them by content area—grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, style, or organization. This will help you identify which types of questions give you the most trouble and where you should spend the most time reviewing.

Step 2: Study Grammar and Punctuation Rules

Many of the questions in the English section are based on well-defined grammar and punctuation rules. These include:

• Subject-verb agreement 
• Pronoun-antecedent agreement 
• Verb tense consistency 
• Correct use of commas, semicolons, colons, and dashes 
• Sentence fragments and run-ons 
• Modifier placement 

Review each of these topics using a grammar guide or a trusted educational website. Learn not just the rule, but how to apply it in real sentences.

Practice correcting sentences and identifying errors in paragraphs. Focus on understanding why a choice is correct, not just memorizing the answer.

Step 3: Practice with Official-Like Questions

Use high-quality practice materials that reflect the structure and style of the real ACT. Practice passages should include all types of questions—grammar, structure, tone, and organization—so you can simulate the actual test experience.

When practicing, read the full sentence and paragraph, not just the underlined portion. Many mistakes stem from ignoring the context.

For each question, cover the answer choices and try to predict the correct revision. Then reveal the options and see if your choice matches one of them. This method reinforces your understanding and strengthens your instincts.

Step 4: Work on Reading and Editing Skills

Although the ACT English section is not a reading comprehension test, you still need to understand the overall message and flow of each passage to answer rhetorical and organizational questions.

Practice reading essays and opinion articles. As you read, ask yourself:

• Is the writing clear and effective? 
• Are the ideas presented in a logical order? 
• Are transitions smooth? 
• Does every sentence support the main point? 

You can also practice editing your writing. Take a short essay or paragraph you’ve written, and try to improve it by applying the principles tested on the ACT: concise language, proper punctuation, and logical organization.

Step 5: Focus on Time Management

Pacing is a major challenge for many test-takers. You have just 45 minutes to answer 75 questions, so speed and accuracy both matter.

Here are some timing tips:

• Spend no more than 9 minutes per passage 
• Don’t spend more than 30–40 seconds on any single question. 
• If stuck, eliminate wrong answers and make your best guess—never leave a question blank. 

To practice pacing, do timed drills. Set a timer for 9 minutes and work through one full passage. Then review and correct your answers. This builds both speed and endurance.

Step 6: Take Full-Length Practice Tests

Once you’ve reviewed the rules and practiced with individual passages, take full-length tests under real test conditions. This helps you build stamina and get used to the test’s structure.

Simulate the actual test environment:

• Use an official ACT bubble sheet or online form 
• Follow strict time limits. 
• Minimize distractions 
• Review your answers carefully after each section. 

This step helps you identify patterns in your errors and shows whether your timing is on track.

Additional Tips and Mindset

• Always read the full sentence and the surrounding context—don’t just focus on the underlined portion. 
• When all answer choices seem wrong, check for sentence fragments, comma splices, or agreement errors. 
• Don’t automatically assume the most formal-sounding option is best—clear and simple is often better. 
• Use “NO CHANGE” only when you’re confident that the original sentence is already correct. 
• Don’t second-guess yourself too much—go with your first instinct if you’re well-prepared 

Confidence comes from preparation. The ACT English section is highly coachable, meaning that consistent practice and targeted review can lead to significant score gains.

Final Thoughts

The ACT English Test plays a key role in college admissions and readiness. It evaluates not only your technical grasp of grammar and structure but also your ability to think critically about writing and how it functions.

By understanding the test structure, mastering the rules, practicing under time constraints, and refining your approach, you can raise your score and improve your overall communication skills.

These skills will benefit you well beyond the test day—in your college courses, future job applications, and any situation where clear writing and editing are essential.