“Whatever you conceive in your mind becomes your reality”. This is particularly true in many circumstances, including for your upcoming ACT. Part of passing and acing the ACT is to overcome test anxiety, and a predominant way of resolving it is to think positively. How do you think positive while preparing for the ACT? Here are some valuable tips.

1. Focus your thoughts on the positive. It isn’t a good idea to be too self-critical while preparing for the ACT. Being positive is easier said than done, but if done well, it can make a difference. Believe in yourself and in your capability to study well and pass your exam.

2. Don’t think too much about your coming exam. Don’t think obsessively about the coming ACT. Concentrate on your test prep and casually go over your notes. Don’t allow yourself to be pressured as you study. Take it one day at a time. If negative thoughts and anxiety bother you, do visualization. Imagine yourself going into your testing room confident and well-prepared and finding that the test is definitely easy.

3. Don’t expect too much from yourself while studying. Sort out your study materials and divide them into smaller parts. Study each of these sections for 10 to 20 minutes. You will find that your brain can easily remember the topics this way. When taking a break, reward yourself with a nice drink and some tasty dessert. Let the facts sink in your wits before proceeding on to study the next section.

4. Learn to deal with your mistakes. Consider that you won’t be able to perfect every practice test that you do while studying for the ACT. Accept your mistakes and learn from them. After all, it is through mistakes that you learn more effectively. Thoroughly go through the questions that you missed and then take a break for the time being.

5. Figure out a study method that works well for you. You can’t actually just stare blindly at your notes and expect the topics to sink in your wits. Find out an effective method to study for your exam. Are you a visual, audio or kinesthetic learner? Take the quiz pertaining to this. If you are an audio learner, you can have your notes recorded on CDs or tapes or have them stored in an MP3 player. Try searching online for downloadable podcasts and soundbites that contain studying references, too. If you are a visual learner, consider studying using colorful diagrams and infographics found on the Internet. Refer to teaching websites at the same time. Kinesthetic learners can work to make their studying fun and creative. You can make use of your favorite TV or book character or even draw a comic strip to incorporate with your study resources. You can even study with a friend where you take turns in a dialog of stating facts about the ACT to each other. Find ways to keep making your brain active.

6. Play your favorite music and listen to it before or after studying for the day. Doing so will boost your mood and perk you up for your tasks.

7. Don’t think about failing the exam as your exam day approaches. Remember to think positive as much as possible. Imagine yourself going into your testing room and finding that your exam is easy. Believe that you will do well in the ACT, and chances are, it will come true.

Success starts in the mind, with the thought that you can hurdle whatever obstacles and reap the favorable outcomes of your effort. Apply the rule of positive thinking when taking the ACT, and it can do wonders in boosting your abilities and motivation.

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