To raise ACT English from 20 to 25, lock down commas, subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure, then build a pace that finishes all 50 questions in 35 minutes without rushing the last passage. A score near 20 usually means real content gaps plus clock pressure, not a lack of reading talent. Both improve when you attack repeating misses for a few weeks instead of skimming every rule at once.
What a score near 20 usually means
At this band, you are likely missing foundational rules that show up on every test: commas, subject-verb agreement, and complete sentences. You may also guess late when time runs out. Enhanced ACT English has 50 questions in 35 minutes on a 1 to 36 scale with no wrong-answer penalty, so blank guesses still cost you. Take one timed section and sort misses into "didn't know the rule" versus "knew it but rushed." That split tells you whether content or pacing should lead. Most students near 20 need both, but one usually dominates. If your log is mostly content, slow untimed drills come first. If it is mostly rush errors, keep the rules brief and add timed mini-sets sooner.
Lock in commas and sentence structure
Do not try to learn every rule in one weekend. Start with commas and whether a sentence is complete. Work through ACT comma rules until you can say why a comma belongs, why it is optional, or why it is wrong. Pair that with fragments and run-ons so you stop joining two full sentences with only a comma, or cutting a clause short by accident. When you can name the rule before you pick, you stop second-guessing under time. Short untimed drills by rule beat long untimed passages at this stage because you need recognition first, not endurance yet.
Make subject-verb agreement automatic
Agreement questions often hide the real subject behind a prepositional phrase or extra clause. Find the subject, ignore the noise in between, then check singular versus plural before you look at the choices. Drill subject-verb agreement on the ACT until that scan feels boring. Use the grammar rules tested on the ACT as your checklist so you know what to add next once agreement stops leaking points. When agreement and complete sentences click, many items that felt random suddenly look familiar.
Finish without burning the last passage
The clock is tight if you reread every paragraph from the top. Practice answering from the underlined portion plus the surrounding sentence, and save full-passage rereads for rhetorical items that need context. Timed mini-sets of 10 to 15 questions help you build speed without burning out. Your goal is to reach the final passage with enough calm to apply the same rules you used early, not to sprint and invent answers. If the last ten questions are always a blur, you are over-spending early, not "bad at endings." Mark sticky items, keep moving, and return only if you have a minute left.
Shape a few weeks of practice
Alternate short rule drills with one timed English section each week. After every set, write the miss in plain language: wrong comma, wrong verb, fragment, or rush. Review that log before the next session so you stop repeating the same miss. A move from 20 to 25 is realistic with steady work over about 4 to 8 weeks when you close those repeating gaps. Do not promise yourself a fixed point gain from a set number of hours; honest review beats a single marathon weekend. Keep grammar and pacing in the same week so neither slips while you chase the other.
Common traps in this band
Watch for comma splices that look like "flow," verbs that match the nearest noun instead of the real subject, and answers that sound fancy but break a simple rule. Another trap is studying rare punctuation before commas and agreement are solid. Foundations first. Also avoid untimed perfectionism that never teaches you the 35-minute rhythm. You need both correctness and a finish habit before the mid band work starts to stick.
Self-check and the next band
You are ready to push higher when timed sections finish on time, comma and agreement misses are rare, and your miss log shows fewer "didn't know" tags. Keep the big picture in how to improve your ACT English score, then move into how to improve ACT English from 25 to 30 once the basics feel steady. Stay patient, stay timed, and keep reviewing every miss until the common rules feel boring. That boredom is a good sign the foundation is holding.
Start practicing
Start with a free diagnostic, then drill your weak spots with 15-question quizzes and track how you're doing across Reading, English, and Math. Compare plans whenever you're ready to go further.
This article offers general ACT prep guidance. The ACT can change from year to year, including its format, scoring, policies, test dates, and fees, so always confirm the latest details on the official ACT website at act.org before you make decisions. ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. thirty-six is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by ACT.