In 2023, just 21% of high school seniors met all four ACT benchmarks, while 43% failed to meet even one. The truth is, many students put in hours of study but still fall back as their preparation is subpar.
ACT preparation with mind maps makes studying easier. They show ideas visually, so connections are clear, gaps are spotted, and time is better organized. With tools like EdrawMind, messy notes can turn into simple study guides that save time and help you remember more.
The guide explores 10 ACT mind maps that make your preparation worthwhile, and simple ways to put them into practice for stronger results.
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10 Ways to Focus and Get Best Score on ACT
The following are 10 mind maps you can follow to optimize your ACT preparation strategy, to secure a good score:
ACT Preparation Plan
The ACT preparation guide mind map gives a clear, structured pathway to excel in the ACT exam. Best for students who feel lost, short on time, or unsure how to organise their ACT prep. It organises strategies into sections such as daily learning, preparation tools, short-term plans, and exam-day tips.
Breaking down each subject and test-taking approach makes preparation more efficient and less overwhelming.
Key Features
- Explains what the ACT is and what it tests for
- Short and long-term preparation strategies
- Use daily homework as practice
- Tips for each subject (English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing)
- Explains the ACT registration process in detail
- Preparation tools like flashcards, practice tests, and online resources
It can be followed by a student expecting a higher ACT score: a short-term plan is started with daily homework, which is also integrated as practice, preparation tools like mock tests are used, and then exam-day strategies are applied to stay calm and focused.
English Grammar Tenses
Students who struggle with organising grammar concepts and remembering tense rules, as it explains tenses in a clear visual way, connecting rules, sentence patterns, and examples for easy understanding. It is also simple to go through for a last-minute review.
Key Features
- Covers all major tenses
- Includes sentence structures for affirmative, negative, and questions
- Highlights time markers and common adverbs for every tense.
- Shows verb form changes (e.g., endings, irregular rules).
For example, the differences between the present perfect and the past perfect can be quickly checked by a student revising for the ACT English section, common signal words can be recalled, and this knowledge can be applied to practice questions on verb consistency.
English Vocabulary
A major part of the ACT English and reading sections is made up of English vocabulary, and losing marks is caused by confusion with word categories. Visually organizing these concepts helps students learn faster, recall rules more easily, and apply them correctly during the test.
Key Features
- Covers all parts of speech with subcategories like verbs, pronouns, and prepositions
- Shows both usage and types for articles, adjectives, and adverbs
- Includes examples of noun forms, numbers, and interjections
- Highlights tricky areas such as auxiliary verbs, comparative adjectives, and pronoun types
Someone who finds pronouns difficult can use this to review types like reflexive, demonstrative, or relative before practice. It helps spot mistakes in sentences and get more answers correct.
Reading Notes
This mind map is best for students who struggle to organise what they read into useful notes that actually help with understanding and memory.
Students waste time rereading or highlighting without turning that information into something they can remember. It shows how to take efficient reading notes that optimize memory and connect ideas in a way that makes reading more effective.
Key Features
- Explains why taking notes helps both current understanding and long-term memory
- Shows what makes a good reading note (clear, systematic, insightful).
- Provides a universal template with core concepts, golden quotes, and story cases
- Encourages linking notes to emotions, insights, and actions to aid retention
A student preparing for the ACT reading section can use this mind map to write down the author’s main idea, the proof they use, and the big theme in simple words. They can also pick out one strong quote that shows the writer’s tone or style and connect it to the kind of questions that appear on the test.
Trigonometric Concept Map
The trigonometry concept map is for students who want a clear understanding of trig ratios, definitions, and the Pythagorean theorem. It compiles ideas into simple categories, linking formulas with mathematical concepts and real applications. Making it useful for quick review before exams or when tackling geometry-related ACT math questions.
Key Features
- Covers SOH-CAH-TOA ratios with easy mnemonics
- Explains Pythagoras’ theorem and its converse with proofs
- Links concepts to constancy, patterns, relationships, and models for real-world use
Using the sine ratio to calculate the height of a tree when the angle of elevation and distance from the base are known.
Matrices
Best for those who want a clear concept of matrices for a quick revision. It explains the fundamentals of matrices from their basic definition to different types and common operations. Tricky concepts like multiplication, transposition, and scalar operations are simplified into easy-to-follow notes. Time is saved and studies are kept organised for learners.
Key Features
- Explains the abstract concept of a matrix clearly.
- Shows different types of matrices, including rectangular, square, real, and complex.
- Covers basic operations such as addition, multiplication, scalar multiplication, and transposition.
- Mentions equality rules and how rows and columns interact.
A student getting ready for the ACT or SAT can use this mind map as a quick refresher before practice instead of going through long chapters.
Quadratic Equations and Inequalities
For students who want to ace quadratic equations, this map breaks quadratic functions, equations, and inequalities into clear, structured categories. It includes complex concepts like graph properties, solution methods, and inequalities, and shows relationships between formulas, properties, and problem-solving techniques that help.
Key Features
- Covers quadratic functions, equations, and inequalities in one view
- Explains graph properties, roots, and vertex details
- Includes multiple solution methods (factorization, formula, square root)
- Shows inequality solving techniques with the discriminant use
- Visual comparisons of root distributions and cases
For example, when solving quadratic equations, one can trace solution methods such as the quadratic formula or factoring in a clear sequence.
Essay Writing
Students looking for a clear structure to organise their thoughts often lose points because their ideas are scattered, and writing an essay under exam conditions is found stressful.
Smaller, manageable sections like purpose, introduction, main body, and conclusion are provided by this mind map to help students sort their essays. Time can be saved, focus can be maintained, and the question can be answered clearly and effectively by following the layout.
Key Features
- Covers purpose, theme, category, and keywords
- Guides the introduction with questions, arguments, and a summary
- Divides the main body into multiple paragraphs with perspectives, theories, and examples
- Provides a conclusion with key arguments
- References section included for citations and content
A student writing an ACT essay on whether technology improves learning can use this mind map to keep their ideas clear. First, they note the topic and keywords, then list the main points in the introduction. In the body, they explain different views with simple examples. At the end, they give a short conclusion and mention references.
Time Management
Students preparing for the ACT exam who struggle with optimising their time management, balancing subjects, or dealing with distractions will find this mind map most useful. More topics are covered, stress is managed, and strategic preparation is enabled.
Key Features
- Guides on setting goals and priorities
- Shows how to create daily/weekly schedules with flexibility
- Provides strategies like time blocking, batching, and the Pomodoro technique
- Covers managing interruptions and using apps/tools for productivity
- Emphasises prioritisation, delegation, and avoiding procrastination
The Pomodoro Technique from the mind map can be used by a student aiming to improve ACT math by studying algebra in 25-minute focused sessions with short breaks. Time can then be blocked out in a weekly schedule for practice tests, apps like Google Calendar can be used for reminders, and similar tasks, such as reviewing formulas and solving equations, can be batched together.
Exam Revision
Revision is considered an important part of ACT prep, and students are shown by this mind map how to use their study time well. It divides revision into clear parts like what, why, who, when, where, and how, so planning feels easier and less stressful.
Key Features
- Shows how to revise with practical methods (notes, mind maps, practice questions)
- Gives tips on the best study environment (quiet, light, fresh air)
- Suggests when to start revising for maximum benefit
- Focuses on students aiming to perform well in exams
A student can use this mind map by breaking their revision into simple steps like reading notes, making short summaries, and practising questions.
How to Brainstorm Using EdrawMind?
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a mind map and brainstorm ideas using tools on the EdrawMind canvas:
Step 1: Download and Launch EdrawMind
Download and install the desktop version of EdrawMind.
Log in with your account.
Select the Create option from the sidebar
Choose Blank Mind Map.
Step 2: Start Customizing your ACT Mind Map
Under the Map tab on the left sidebar, choose your desired layout and theme of the map.
Step 3: Modify the Blocks According to Your Style
Click on the block you want to modify, and use the menu that hovers over it or the Style menu in the sidebar, to change properties like fill color, shadow, border color, and weight.
Select the text inside, and start typing whatever you like.
Step 4: Add new Topics and Sub-Topics
Select the parent topic, under the Start menu at the top, choose Subtopic or Topic according to your requirement.
Or you could also press the Tab button to create sub topics easily.
Then repeat step 3 to customize that topic.
Step 5: Add Images and Tables
Navigate to the Insert tab from the top.
To add an image, select the block, then select the Picture option.
To add a table, select the block, then under the More options, choose Table.
Finally, choose the number of rows and columns.
Bonus Step: AI File Analysis
Instead of creating mindmaps on your own, you can also use the AI file analysis feature, which allows you to generate PDFs using Word, PowerPoint, Excel, PDF, and text files.
Select the Generate Mind Map from File option under the Productivity Tools section in the sidebar, from the Wondershare EdrawMind tab.
Upload the file you want a mind map of.
Choose Generate Mind Map.
You can also translate the mind map into a presentation format.
Click the Slides option in the top section, and then under the Convert current file to Slides section, click Convert to Slides.
Or if you want to translate another PDF into a presentation, use the Upload File option under the Import File and Generate Slides.
Step 6: Export Your Diagram
Click File at the top left corner.
Choose Save to save the diagram in EdrawMind’s default format
Or click Export to export your diagram in formats like JPG, PNG, PDF, PPT, and many more.
Tips for Making Organized Mind Maps for ACT Preparation
The following are some tips that can help you make organized mind maps, which can add to your ACT preparation:
- Start with the main topic: Put the subject (e.g., ACT Math, ACT Reading) in the centre. Branch out into main categories like Formulas, Strategies, or Question Types.
- Try to keep branches short: Use keywords or short phrases, not long sentences. For example, write SOHCAHTOA instead of a full trigonometry explanation.
- Add colours: Give each branch its own colour (e.g., red for Math, blue for English).
- Leave space for notes: Leave space to add examples or practice problems as you study. A mind map should grow with your prep.
- Connect sections: Draw arrows between linked ideas. For example, connect Data Interpretation in Science with Graph Reading in Maths.
- Switch to outline view: Switch between the picture view and the list view. The list works like a study checklist, and the picture helps you review quickly.
Conclusion
Long study hours matter for the ACT, but without smart planning, they won’t lead to the results you want. A helpful tip is to use a timer while practising so the real test pace is experienced. Reviewing a little every day helps the learning stick better. To keep everything clear and organised, ACT mind maps can be useful. Try EdrawMind's smart mind mapping for quick and efficient mind maps.
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