What Do Singapore's Top ACT Scorers Know That You Don't?

Every year, a small group of Singapore students score 33 or above on the ACT. That's the top 2% globally. These students get accepted into Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, and every university in between.

What separates them from students scoring 28 or 29?

It's not intelligence. Singapore produces brilliant students across every score range. It's not study hours either — many top scorers study fewer total hours than students scoring 5 points lower.

The difference is strategy.

Top scorers don't just know the content. They've mastered a specific set of test-taking strategies that maximise every minute, every question, and every section of the ACT.

We interviewed 25 Singapore students who scored 33–36 on the ACT between 2023–2025. We analysed their preparation methods, their test-day routines, and their section-specific approaches. Then we distilled everything into the ACT test prep strategies that actually produce elite scores.

These aren't generic tips. These are the exact techniques used by real Singapore students who achieved exceptional results.

The Mindset Strategies: How Top Scorers Think Differently

Before any section-specific tactics, top scorers share a fundamentally different mental framework about the ACT.

Strategy 1: They Treat the ACT Like a Game, Not an Exam

This mindset shift sounds simple but changes everything.

Students who view the ACT as a terrifying exam perform worse under pressure. Students who view it as a strategic game — with rules, patterns, and optimal moves — perform better.

"I stopped thinking 'I need to prove I'm smart' and started thinking 'I need to find the right answers as efficiently as possible.' That shift alone reduced my anxiety by half."
— Wen Kai, ACT score 35, Raffles Institution

The game mentality means:

• Wrong answers aren't failures — they're data points for improvement

• Difficult questions aren't threats — they're puzzles with discoverable solutions

• Time pressure isn't stress — it's a constraint to strategise around

• The test isn't measuring your worth — it's measuring your preparation

Strategy 2: They Optimise for Composite, Not Individual Sections

Average students try to maximise every section independently. Top scorers think about composite optimisation — the mathematical reality that all four sections contribute equally.

The composite calculation reveals a powerful insight:

Improving your worst section by 3 points increases your composite by 0.75 points.
Improving your best section by 3 points also increases your composite by 0.75 points.

But improving your worst section by 3 is dramatically easier than improving your best section by 3.

Every top scorer we interviewed allocated their study time using this principle — spending 60–70% of preparation hours on their weakest sections.

Strategy 3: They Set "Floor Scores," Not Just Target Scores

Most students set a target composite (e.g., "I want a 33"). Top scorers set floor scores per section — minimum acceptable scores below which they refuse to fall.

Example — Priya's floor scores:

Why floors matter: They prevent catastrophic section scores from destroying an otherwise strong composite. A student who scores 35, 34, 27, 33 gets a 32 composite. If that 27 had been a floor-protected 30, the composite becomes 33.

One bad section ruins everything. Floor scores prevent that scenario.

The Preparation Strategies: How Top Scorers Train

Strategy 4: Diagnostic-First, Always

Every top scorer began with a complete, honestly-scored diagnostic test before studying a single concept.

Not a shortened diagnostic. Not a "quick quiz." A full-length, timed, four-section practice test under realistic conditions.

Why this matters so much:

• Reveals true starting point (not what you assume your level is)

• Identifies which sections need most attention

• Creates emotional baseline (knowing how the real test feels)

• Provides measurable starting data for tracking improvement

"My diagnostic was 27. It was humbling. But it showed me exactly where my points were hiding — Reading and English. Without it, I would have wasted weeks on Math."
— Ravi, ACT score 34, Anglo-Chinese Junior College

Strategy 5: The Error Log Religion

We've mentioned error logs in previous guides. Here's how top scorers take it further.

Standard error log: Records wrong answers and categorises them.

Top scorer error log: Records wrong answers, categorises them, identifies thinking patterns, and creates specific counter-strategies.

Top scorer error log format:

The "My Thinking" column is revolutionary. It forces you to understand not just WHAT you got wrong, but HOW your brain processed the question incorrectly.

After 4–6 weeks of this detailed logging, top scorers report that they can predict their own mistakes before making them. That's when scores jump dramatically.

Strategy 6: Progressive Overload in Practice Tests

Top scorers don't just take practice tests — they take them with systematically increasing difficulty.

The progressive overload model:

Why this works: By training under harder conditions, the real test feels easier by comparison. Students who've practised Reading with only 31 minutes feel relaxed when they get the actual 35 minutes.

"My tutor made me practise Science with 31 minutes instead of 35. When I sat the real ACT, 35 minutes felt like luxury. I finished with 4 minutes to spare."
— Li Wei, ACT score 33, Hwa Chong Institution

Section-Specific Strategies of Top Scorers

English Strategies (Targeting 32+)

Strategy 7: The Elimination Hierarchy

Top English scorers don't look for the right answer first. They eliminate wrong answers in a specific order:

1. Eliminate wordiness. If an option is unnecessarily long, remove it.

2. Eliminate grammar violations. If an option breaks a known rule, remove it.

3. Eliminate irrelevance. If an option introduces off-topic information, remove it.

4. Choose from remaining options. Usually only 1–2 remain.

Why this order? Wordiness is easiest to spot, grammar violations next, relevance issues require most judgment. Working from easiest to hardest elimination saves time and increases accuracy.

Strategy 8: The "Read Aloud" Technique for Tricky Questions

When two remaining options seem equally correct, read both aloud in your head — hearing the sentence rather than just seeing it. Your ear often catches errors your eyes miss.

"There were maybe 5–6 questions on my test where I couldn't decide between two options. I 'read aloud' in my head and got every single one right. Your ear knows grammar better than your eyes."
— Aisha, ACT score 34

Math Strategies (Targeting 33+)

Strategy 9: The Three-Tier Approach

Top Math scorers divide the 60 questions into three tiers and approach each differently:

The discipline: Top scorers spend only 20 minutes on the first 30 questions — resisting the urge to double-check easy problems — because those saved minutes are critical for Tier 3.

Strategy 10: Strategic Calculator Use

At The Princeton Review Singapore, we observe that top Math scorers use their calculators for approximately 40% of questions — not 100%.

Calculator-worthy questions:

• Trigonometric calculations

• Complex multiplication/division

• Graphing functions to visualise answers

• Verifying algebraic solutions

Mental math questions:

• Basic arithmetic

• Percentage calculations

• Simple equation solving

• Estimation problems

Why this matters: Reaching for the calculator, typing numbers, and reading the display takes 10–15 seconds per question. Over 30 unnecessary calculator uses, that's 5–7 minutes wasted.

Reading Strategies (Targeting 31+)

This is where Singapore's top scorers invest the most strategic thinking — because Reading is typically their most challenging section.

Strategy 11: The Dual-Clock Method

Top Reading scorers run two mental clocks simultaneously:

• Clock 1: Total section time (35 minutes)

• Clock 2: Per-passage budget (8:45 per passage)

If Passage 1 takes 9:30, they immediately know they need to complete another passage in under 8:00 to compensate.

Without dual-clock awareness, students don't realise they're behind until they look up with 3 minutes left and an entire passage unread.

Strategy 12: The "Wrong Answer Autopsy"

Top scorers don't just find the right answer — they understand exactly why each wrong answer is wrong.

For every Reading question during practice, they identify each wrong option's flaw:

After practising this autopsy 200+ times, identifying trap answers becomes automatic. Top scorers report they can spot wrong answers faster than they can confirm right ones.

Science Strategies (Targeting 33+)

Strategy 13: The 20-Second Orientation

Before reading any questions, top Science scorers spend exactly 20 seconds orienting themselves:

• 5 seconds: How many figures/tables does this passage have?

• 5 seconds: What are the axes/column headers? (What's being measured?)

• 5 seconds: Are there multiple experiments or just one?

• 5 seconds: Is this Data Representation, Research Summary, or Conflicting Viewpoints?

This 20-second investment saves 60+ seconds of confusion when answering questions.

Strategy 14: The Conflicting Viewpoints Deep Dive

Top scorers treat Conflicting Viewpoints completely differently from other Science passages.

For Data Representation and Research Summaries:

• Questions first → data second → text only if necessary

• Speed is paramount

• 5–6 minutes per passage maximum

For Conflicting Viewpoints:

• Read BOTH viewpoints thoroughly first

• Note specific points where the scientists agree AND disagree

• Then answer questions

• 8–9 minutes allocated (more than other passages)

"I used to treat all Science passages the same. Once I learned to slow down for Conflicting Viewpoints and speed up for Data Representation, my Science score jumped from 30 to 34."
— Marcus, ACT score 35

Test Day Strategies: What Top Scorers Do Differently

Strategy 15: The Morning Activation Routine

Top scorers don't walk into the test center cold. They activate their brain with a brief warm-up.

The 15-minute morning routine (done at home before leaving):

This isn't studying. It's cognitive activation — the mental equivalent of stretching before a race.

Strategy 16: The Section Transition Reset

Between sections, top scorers perform a deliberate mental reset:

1. Close your eyes for 5 seconds (clear the previous section from your mind)

2. Take 3 deep breaths (reset physiological arousal)

3. Mentally state your strategy for the next section ("Reading: skim first, strongest passage first, proof for every answer")

4. Open the next section ready to execute

This 15-second routine prevents cognitive carryover — where frustration from a tough Math section bleeds into your Reading performance.

Strategy 17: The "Parking Lot" Technique

When encountering a question that's consuming too much time, top scorers don't just skip it — they park it.

How parking works:

1. Mark the question in your test booklet with a star

2. Eliminate any obviously wrong answers (narrow from 5 to 2–3 options)

3. Make your best guess and bubble it

4. Move on immediately

5. Return to parked questions with remaining time

Why parking beats skipping: You've already invested some thought. Your subconscious continues processing while you work on other questions. When you return, the answer often clicks immediately.

"I parked about 8 questions across my entire test. When I came back to them, I changed 5 of my guesses — and 4 of those changes were correct. My subconscious had solved them while I was doing other questions."
— Sarah, ACT score 34, Raffles Girls' School

The Data Behind Top Scorer ACT Test Prep Habits

We compiled quantitative data from our 25 top scorer interviews. The patterns are striking.

Study Hours Distribution

Observation: Top scorers spend the LEAST time on Math — their natural strength — and the MOST time on Reading — their biggest improvement opportunity.

Practice Test Frequency

Preparation Duration

Key insight: Top scorers don't study dramatically more hours than average scorers. They study more strategically. The average total of 118 hours is roughly 90 minutes per day over 12 weeks — entirely manageable alongside JC commitments.

The Mistakes Top Scorers Made (Before They Became Top Scorers)

Even 34+ scorers made costly errors during their preparation journey. Their mistakes — and corrections — are instructive.

Mistake 1: Starting With Strengths

"My first three weeks of prep were all Math because I loved seeing high scores on practice sets. My tutor caught this and redirected me to Reading. That redirection added 4 points to my composite."
— Jun Wei, ACT score 33

Mistake 2: Taking Practice Tests Without Full Review

"I took 5 practice tests in my first month but only glanced at wrong answers. My score barely moved. Once I started spending 2 hours analysing each test, my scores jumped 3 points in two weeks."
— Aisha, ACT score 34

Mistake 3: Ignoring Mental Preparation

"I was so focused on content that I never practised managing anxiety. On my first real ACT, I panicked during Reading and scored 5 points below my practice average. For my second attempt, I trained mental resilience. Scored 4 points higher."
— Ravi, ACT score 34

Mistake 4: Studying Tired

"I used to study from 10 PM to midnight after finishing homework. My retention was terrible. When I switched to studying from 4–6 PM on weekends, the same material stuck much better."
— Mei Ling, ACT score 33

Building Your Personal Top Scorer ACT Test Prep Plan

Based on everything top scorers shared, here's the framework to build your own elite preparation plan.

Phase 1: Diagnostics and Strategy Design (Week 1)

• Take full diagnostic test under real conditions

• Complete detailed gap analysis per section

• Set floor scores and target scores

• Design study time allocation based on weakness priority

• Start error log

Phase 2: Foundation and Skill Building (Weeks 2–5)

• Master section-specific strategies

• Learn English grammar rules systematically

• Build Reading speed through daily article reading

• Develop Science data interpretation reflexes

• Begin weekly practice test cycle from Week 3

Phase 3: Intensive Practice and Refinement (Weeks 6–10)

• Weekly full-length practice tests with progressive overload

• Detailed error log analysis after every test

• Strategy refinement based on error patterns

• Speed drills with reduced timing

• Periodic review of floor scores — adjust strategies if any section falls below floor

Phase 4: Peak and Taper (Weeks 11–12)

• Final practice tests under standard conditions

• Review complete error log for recurring patterns

• Create personal "top 3 reminders" card

• Morning activation routine practice

• Physical and mental rest in final 3 days

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the Single Most Important ACT Test Prep Strategy Used by Top Scorers?

The error log with detailed thinking analysis (Strategy 5) was cited by 22 of 25 top scorers as their most impactful preparation habit. Understanding not just WHAT you got wrong but HOW your brain processed the question incorrectly creates a feedback loop that accelerates improvement dramatically.

How Many Hours of ACT Test Prep Do Top Scorers in Singapore Actually Do?

Our data shows top scorers average approximately 118 total hours over 11–12 weeks — roughly 10 hours per week. This includes live instruction, independent practice, and practice test time. Quality and strategic focus matter significantly more than raw volume.

Do Top Scorers Use ACT Test Prep Courses or Self-Study?

Of our 25 interviewed top scorers, 16 used structured courses or private tutoring, 6 used primarily self-study supplemented by occasional professional guidance, and 3 used purely self-study. The majority credited professional instruction with providing strategic frameworks they wouldn't have discovered independently.

Which ACT Test Prep Strategy Produces the Fastest Score Improvement?

The passage ordering strategy for Reading (tackling strongest passage types first) and the questions-first approach for Science produce measurable improvements within the first week of implementation. English grammar rule mastery shows results within 2–3 weeks of consistent practice.

Can Average Students Use These Top Scorer ACT Test Prep Strategies?

Absolutely. These strategies aren't reserved for naturally gifted students — they're systematic approaches that any committed student can learn and apply. The key difference is implementation consistency. Top scorers applied these strategies in every single practice session, not occasionally.

Do Top Scorers Take the ACT Multiple Times?

Yes. Of our 25 top scorers, only 4 achieved their best score on their first attempt. The average top scorer took the ACT 2.3 times. Their improvement between attempts averaged 3.2 composite points — demonstrating that even top performers benefit from retaking.

What Do Top Scorers Do the Week Before the ACT?

Top scorers consistently described a "taper" week with reduced study intensity — typically 30–45 minutes of light review daily, no full practice tests after Wednesday, complete rest on Friday, and focus on sleep quality, nutrition, and mental preparation rather than content cramming.

How Do Top Scorers Handle ACT Test Prep Alongside JC Workload?

Strategic time management. Most top scorers studied during weekday evenings (60–90 minutes) and dedicated Saturday mornings to full practice tests. During JC exam periods, they reduced ACT study to maintenance mode (20–30 minutes daily) and intensified during holidays. Balance, not sacrifice, was the consistent theme.

You Already Have What Top Scorers Have

Here's the revelation that every top scorer eventually reaches:

The strategies that produce 33+ scores aren't secret. They aren't complicated. They aren't reserved for geniuses.

They're systematic approaches to a predictable test — approaches that anyone can learn, practise, and master.

The students who scored 34 and 35 didn't have bigger brains than you. They had better systems. Systems for identifying weaknesses. Systems for eliminating errors. Systems for managing time. Systems for maintaining composure under pressure.

You now have those same systems. Every strategy in this guide has been verified by real Singapore students who used it to achieve exceptional results.

The only remaining variable is execution.

Will you build the error log? Will you practise with progressive overload? Will you prioritise your weakest sections even when it's uncomfortable? Will you treat the ACT like a game to be mastered rather than an exam to be survived?

The top scorers answered yes. Your turn.