Tutors, whether they be professional tutors, parents, or siblings, may know what the ACT in Dublin is and how to take that test. But more than that, they should also know how to prepare students in other aspects, such as giving emotional support and building confidence, to help them do well on the test.

These are the tools the tutors need to guide the test-takers through the whole preparation process:

1. Make the student understand what the ACT is
We know that the idea of taking the ACT can generate stress or anxiety on part of the student. But by letting them know and understand what the ACT is, what it does, as well as how a student can benefit from it, can help you lay the foundation for your student’s study plans. Making the student understand about the ACT can also help allay some of the student’s fears and their feelings of pressure.

2. Set a goal
You cannot proceed to your next move if you don’t have a definite goal for your student. You can start this by using his or her scores in their practice tests as a guide and research the colleges and the universities where the student plans to apply. Find out each of these school’s average ACT scores, which you can do by searching online or by going over college guides which can be found in books and magazines.

Suppose that your child tops the averages ACT scores of his or her preferred colleges, decide on a goal of four or five points higher to help to bring in more opportunities just in case something unexpected happens the following year. But if the student’s ACT scores are below average, you may still set a goal required for the admission, but at the same time, you should also look for schools that accept lower-than-average ACT marks.

3. Establish a schedule for the test practices
You can create a practice test in whatever way that will fit your student’s needs, schedule, learning style, and the amount of tutoring. You can use the practice test questions, or create an ACT classroom course-styled setting which can be more conducive to studying. Ideally, you should establish a specific schedule for the ACT practice every week, but that depends on if the student has a tight schedule.

If you see your student once a week, it’s recommended that you should give them homework which will mostly focus on improving his or her weak subjects. If it need be, you should also allot a specific time for the student to practice on their own.

4. Offer rewards and incentives
A lot of parents and teachers think that their own gratification should motivate these students to study for the ACT, but it has created little impact on these kids. To encourage them to study more, offer them an incentive. It doesn’t always have to be expensive or come in a material form. Rather, go for rewards that are unique, humorous, or significant (for example, giving them an extra credit or a free homework pass, or allowing them to dye their hair in any color they want).

5. Avoid undue pressure
Many students feel the most pressure from their parents and are terrified just by the thought of making a mistake in front of them or letting them down by their low scores. While stressing to your child how important the ACT is, you should also assure him or her that you have trust and confidence in their capabilities. Do not express disappointment or do not rebuke them if your child makes a mistake, or finds difficulty in comprehending some of the test concepts because it will undermine his or her confidence. Instead, reassure them that it’s okay to make mistakes, and help them dissect those mistakes. Remember, they need encouragement, not criticism, to get them through the practice process. Your child may not be the brightest or the most diligent student, but they will do their best to perform on the test day.

The ACT in Dublin may be one of the most grueling moments in a child’s school life. So as a tutor, remember to equip them not just the skills, but also the confidence and emotional preparedness that they need to surmount the challenges of the test.