The 7 Common ACT Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Thousands of students every year make easy but costly mistakes that drop their scores — not because they don’t know what to do, but because they don’t pay attention to vital test-taking strategies. But mistakes have long been great teachers. With enough practice, these errors can be identified beforehand and avoided.

In this blog, we will highlight the most common mistakes to avoid in the digital ACT and also the expert-recommended techniques to overcome them. By the end, you’ll have a well-defined roadmap for how to score as high as possible—and face the exam with confidence.

7 Costly Mistakes to Avoid in the Digital ACT

Even the best-prepared students can fall into common traps that hurt their ACT scores. Recognize these mistakes in advance, and develop smart strategies to avoid them and maximize your score on test day.

1. Rushing Through the Test Without Using On-Screen Tools

The Digital ACT comes with built-in tools designed to help students, including a highlighter, answer eliminator, and flagging feature. However, many students rush through the test and completely overlook these tools, treating it just like the paper version. As a result, they miss opportunities to mark key information, rule out incorrect answers, and return to difficult questions later.

How It Happens and How Lethal It Is

The ACT is a timed exam, so it’s natural to feel the urge to answer questions quickly. However, in the rush, you might misinterpret a question, overlook an important detail, or fail to review flagged questions later. This can significantly impact your accuracy and score.

What Should You Do to Avoid It?

Take advantage of the on-screen tools! Use the highlighter to mark key details, the answer eliminator to rule out incorrect choices, and flag questions you’re unsure about for review. Practicing with digital ACT practice tests will help you develop these habits before test day.

2. Ignoring Scratch Paper for Complex Problems

Since the students are taking a digital test, many assume they don’t need any scratch paper. They attempt to solve issues mentally or depend on the display for everything they do. But the ACT has a bunch of complicated math problems and reading questions where you need to write out your calculations or organize your thoughts, and relying solely on your writing pad can make the test that much more difficult.

How It Happens and How Lethal It Is

Without writing things down, it’s easy to miscalculate math problems or lose track of logical reasoning steps in reading and science sections. Even a small mistake can lead to selecting the wrong answer.

What Should You Do to Avoid It?

Use the scratch paper to organize your thoughts, set up equations, or map out reading passages. Practice solving problems on paper while taking digital practice tests so it feels natural during the real exam.

3. Mismanaging Time and Running Out Before the Test Ends

ACT time management is one of the biggest challenges. Some spend too much time on the first few questions, while others rush through too quickly and end up finishing with extra time they could have used for review.

Balancing speed and accuracy is key, but many students struggle with pacing. Spending too long on tough questions wastes time, while rushing leads to mistakes. Practicing timed sections helps build a natural rhythm to complete all questions efficiently.

How It Happens and How Lethal It Is

You might spend too long on one difficult question, only to realize too late that you have multiple unanswered ones left. Since there’s no penalty for guessing, leaving blanks is a major missed opportunity.

What Should You Do to Avoid It?

Use a strategic time-management approach. Set benchmarks for each section—know how much time you should spend on each passage or math problem. If you’re stuck, don’t waste precious minutes; mark it, move on, and return later if time allows.

4. Overlooking Instructions and Test Navigation Features

Some students assume they already know how the ACT works and don’t bother reading the instructions or learning the digital navigation system. This can lead to confusion during the test, missed opportunities to use helpful features, or even submitting a section before they’re ready.

Skipping the instructions or neglecting to familiarize themselves with the digital navigation system can leave students scrambling during the test. Without understanding features like flagging questions or reviewing answers, they risk unnecessary mistakes or accidentally submitting a section too soon.

How It Happens and How Lethal It Is 

In a high-pressure situation, students often assume they already know the instructions and skip reading them. This can lead to misusing the tools, missing important details, or even submitting a section too early.

What Should You Do to Avoid It?

Before test day, familiarize yourself with the ACT’s digital interface. Take official online practice tests and review navigation features like flagging, highlighting, and submitting answers. Always read instructions carefully, even if you think you know them!

5. Second-Guessing Too Many Answers

It’s natural to doubt yourself on a high-stakes test like the ACT. Many students fall into the trap of overanalyzing their answers, convincing themselves that their initial choice was wrong, even when it was correct. This habit of second-guessing often stems from test anxiety, lack of confidence, or the fear of making careless mistakes. 

However, studies have shown that in many cases, a student's first instinct is often the right one. By frequently changing answers without solid reasoning, students risk replacing correct responses with incorrect ones, ultimately lowering their scores. Instead of second-guessing every choice, it's crucial to trust your preparation, go with your gut when appropriate, and only change an answer if you have a clear and logical reason to do so.

How It Happens and How Lethal It Is

You answer a question, then start over analyzing it and decide to change your response—only to later realize your first instinct was correct. Research shows that students often switch from right to wrong answers rather than the other way around.

What Should You Do to Avoid It?

Trust your instincts! If you have a solid reason to change an answer, go for it. But don’t overthink every response—your first choice is often your best one.

6. Not Practicing Enough in the Digital Format

Studying ACT content is important, but preparing in the wrong format can put you at a disadvantage. Many students prepare using paper-based study materials and don’t practice with the actual digital version, making test day feel unfamiliar and stressful.

Focusing solely on paper-based prep can lead to discomfort with the digital interface, slowing students down when navigating between questions or using on-screen tools. Without hands-on practice, they may struggle with features like highlighting or flagging questions, which are crucial for efficient test-taking. To avoid this, students should incorporate official digital ACT practice tests into their study routine to build confidence and familiarity before exam day.

How It Happens and How Lethal It Is

If you’re not used to reading passages on a screen, using digital tools, or navigating through the test, you might waste time adjusting during the real exam. This can create unnecessary stress and slow you down.

What Should You Do to Avoid It?

Make digital practice a priority! Take full-length online ACT practice tests to get comfortable with the format. This will help you build familiarity and reduce anxiety on test day.

7. Forgetting to Review and Submit Answers Properly

Some students don’t use their final minutes wisely, which can cost them valuable points. As the clock winds down, test anxiety or overconfidence might lead them to either rush through the remaining questions or submit their answers early without taking the time to review. 

In some cases, they assume they've done well and don’t bother double-checking, while others feel pressured by time and randomly select answers without carefully reading them. This rushed approach increases the likelihood of careless mistakes—such as misreading a question, overlooking a simple calculation error, or leaving an answer blank. Without a final review, they miss the chance to correct minor errors that could make a difference in their overall score.

How It Happens and How Lethal It Is

Once a section is submitted, you can’t go back to fix mistakes. If you don’t review flagged questions or rush to finish, you might leave unnecessary points on the table.

What Should You Do to Avoid It?

Use the last few minutes of each section wisely. Check your flagged questions, review answers, and make sure everything is submitted correctly before moving forward. Staying focused until the very end can make a big difference in your score.

By avoiding these common mistakes in the Digital ACT, you can improve your accuracy, manage time better, and boost your overall performance. The key is to practice with the digital format, use the available tools wisely, and stay confident throughout the test. Now that you know what to watch out for, you’re already one step closer to ACT success!

Master the ACT Like a Pro: Avoid These Costly Mistakes

Success on the ACT isn’t just about what you know—it’s also about how you take the test. Avoiding common mistakes can help you maximize your score and perform with confidence. By understanding these pitfalls and making small adjustments, you can ensure that you’re fully prepared for both the digital ACT and the paper ACT format.

Here’s how you can steer clear of these common errors and optimize your test-taking strategy:

• Use the final minutes wisely – Always review flagged questions and double-check your work instead of rushing to finish early.
• Trust your first instinct – Avoid second-guessing unless you have a strong reason to change your answer.
• Read instructions and know the digital format – Familiarize yourself with the test navigation, flagging system, and on-screen tools before test day.
• Master time management – Practice pacing strategies to ensure you complete every section without running out of time.
• Train in the right format – Take official digital ACT practice tests to simulate the real testing experience and avoid surprises.

By following these strategies, you’ll be better equipped to handle the ACT format with confidence. Practicing in the correct format and making smart test-day decisions will help you perform at your best and avoid costly mistakes that could impact your final score.

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Preparing for the ACT shouldn’t be stressful—it should be strategic, engaging, and effective. That’s where EdisonOS comes in! Whether you’re a tutor looking to streamline test prep or a student aiming for a top score, our cutting-edge platform equips you with the right tools to master both the digital ACT and paper ACT formats. With interactive learning experiences, AI-driven insights, and expert guidance, we make ACT prep smarter, not harder.

And here’s the best part—our exclusive test prep podcast brings expert strategies straight to your ears! Tune in to hear tips from top educators, learn proven test-taking strategies, and stay motivated on your ACT journey.

How EdisonOS Transforms ACT Prep:

For Tutors:

• Create customized ACT prep courses with interactive content and real-time progress tracking.
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For Students:

• Access AI-powered practice tests that adapt to your strengths and weaknesses.
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• Stay on track with structured study plans and engaging learning resources.

With EdisonOS, test prep is no longer a guessing game—it’s a well-structured roadmap to success. Whether you're a tutor empowering students or a test-taker striving for excellence, our platform ensures you're fully prepared. Start your journey today and take the first step toward ACT success!

‍Frequently Asked Questions 

What are the most common mistakes students make on the ACT?
Some common mistakes include poor time management, second-guessing answers, neglecting to review, and not practicing in the correct format. Avoiding these can significantly boost your score.

How can I manage my time better during the ACT?
Practice timed sections regularly and use a pacing strategy. Prioritize easier questions first and flag difficult ones to revisit if time allows.

Is it bad to change my answers on the ACT?
Not always, but excessive second-guessing can hurt your score. Stick with your first instinct unless you find clear evidence that your initial choice was wrong.

Why is it important to review flagged questions at the end?
Reviewing flagged questions helps catch careless mistakes and ensure you didn’t misread any prompts. Even a quick check can make a big difference.

How does practicing with the digital ACT format help?
Familiarity with the test interface reduces test-day anxiety and prevents technical issues. Practicing with digital tools ensures you're comfortable with navigation and features.

Should I read the instructions on test day?
Yes! Even if you think you know the format, reviewing instructions ensures you don’t miss important details or make avoidable mistakes.

How can I improve my ACT score effectively?
Use a structured study plan, take full-length practice tests in the correct format, and focus on weak areas. Platforms like EdisonOS can help with personalized test prep! 

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