34 by February?

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
1

<p>I took the ACT twice a couple of years ago, and ended up going to the University of Denver for a quarter. I dropped out because I didn't have the money to pay for it and I didn't want to take on any debt. Now I'm planning on re-taking the ACT and kicking its ass in the hopes of getting a free ride somewhere. I don't particularly care if it's a great school or not, but I don't want to go to a real ****hole. </p>

<p>Anyway, the first time I took the ACT I went in totally cold and scored a 28. Somewhat disappointed in this score, I retook it (without studying or preparing) and got a 29. Don't ask me what I was thinking--obviously I shouldn't have expected to do any better the second time without preparing.</p>

<p>So now I'm intent on getting a 34, and I'm preparing accordingly. I just took the first practice test in The Real ACT Prep Guide ("the red one") and scored a 32, rounded up from a 31.5. </p>

<p>Here are my subscores:</p>

<p>English
Scale Score: 35
Usage/Mechanics: 18
Rehtorical Skills: 17 (missed one question)</p>

<p>Mathematics
Scale score: 26 :(
Pre-Algebra/Elem. Algebra: 15
Inter. Algebra/Coord. Geometry: 15
Plane Geometry/Trigonometry: 11 (!!!)</p>

<p>Reading
Scale Score: 36
Social Studies/Sciences: 18
Arts/Literature: 18</p>

<p>Science
Scale Score: 29</p>

<p>As you can see, my math score, particularly my plane geometry/trigonometry subscore, was disproportionately low. I believe that this is to my advantage: instead of needing to get a little better at everything, I need to get a lot better at a specific thing (mainly geometry; my trig is okay). The Science test itself is really a piece of cake--they just don't give you nearly enough time to take it. Unlike the English and Math tests (and, to a lesser extent, the Reading test), I'm fairly sure that if they gave people 60 minutes instead of 35 people would calm down, realize what an easy test it is, and score a lot higher than they do. (In contrast, I'm not convinced that giving people significantly more time on the math test would increase scores all that much.)</p>

<p>I personally feel that if I hit the geometry books hard and figure out how to speed up when taking the Science test, I can score a 34. I only missed 4 out of 40 questions on the Science test (due only to lack of time), and it nuked my score.</p>

<p>What do you guys think? Is it reasonable for me to believe that I can score a 34 in February?</p>

<p>Rocket Surgery</p>

2

<p>Start studying right now by taking a practice test everyday.
My friend who is a sophmore started taking practice tests everyday from the start of the school year. She recently got a 34 on the ACT.</p>

3

<p>yeah but where do you get enough practice tests to take one every day? it sounds a bit unrealistic</p>

4

<p>u retake them. until u can get perfect scores in HALF the time. with little effort.
like getting 10-15 books from different years and brands.</p>

5

<p>I hate re-taking practice tests because it's way too easy to memorize answers...</p>

6

<p>I don't plan on taking a practice test every day. I bought The Real ACT Prep Book, the Barron's book, and the Kaplan's book, so I hae nine practice tests. I plan to take one every three or four days until the test date.</p>

<p>I don't think that I'll retake any of the tests. That doesn't seem to make sense; I'd remember the answers to the questions that I got wrong. Instead, after each practice test I'll look at the questions that I got wrong and do some review in that area.</p>

<p>Rocket Surgery</p>

7

<p>It sounds like all you need to work on is your knowledge of the concepts you are struggling with. By learning the common rules of geometry, and just practicing science, I believe that if you score the same on the other two sections you could very well get a 34 or higher! I have gotten a 33 on the math twice, and the key is knowing the type of questions they will present you with, knowing how to manage your time, and how to not make stupid mistakes. Science I really have no idea as I studied my butt off and only got a 31 on that section.</p>