a 21 to a 28

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
1

I was wondering how much of a possibility that would be? Any tips or tricks to getting a score high enough to gain 7+ points?

2

Subscores?

3

Definitely possible! I started with a 22 and average a 27 on practices now (got a 26 on my first official one in december). It is definitely possible. Subscore wise I have brought up multiple sections by 7 points. Getting from that 27 to 28 is SO HARD for me right now I don’t know why lol.

4

Yeah, I only took the ACT once and it was the one offered my Junior year (last February). I didn’t take it seriously because I thought that I would just take it again so I put zero effort in, but then life got in the way and I never had the chance to take it again.

My subscores are:
ENGLISH - 20
MATH - 18
READING - 27
SCIENCE - 19
ESSAY - 11
ELA - 25
STEM - 19

I’m planning on taking the next two ACT tests, the one this month and the one in April. Maybe the one in June, just to see if I can maybe slide in some extra last minute scholarships for college in the fall.

5

OK -

  1. Every test you take except the last one, buy the question and answer service if available and review your mistakes
  2. Have you gotten the ACT Red Book? Download the extra math problems that come with it. Work math problems for 30 minutes every single night, then immediately review the solutions. Make notecards for formulas or procedures you need to memorize and review them whenever you can (waiting at the bus stop, etc) This is 40-60 minutes of math practice per day.
  3. Get For the Love of ACT Science book and work through the exercises with a goal of getting your science score within 3 points of your reading. (If you're pressed for time: The book is organized in chapters that alternate lessons and practice tests. Try to do all the lessons even if you have to skip some practice tests. The released problems from the Red Book are the most accurate practice anyway.
  4. There's a good English section review in the regular Barron's ACT book if the Red Book isn't enough.
  5. Check with colleges to see when the deadline to improve your scores is. June may be too late for this fall.
6

How much of a possibility would it be? I think it can be done, but not with just tips or tricks. If you put in the effort, the hours, and really want it, you can do it.
Use only actual ACT questions. Buy a copy of the Red Book, and see if you can get a copy of an older Red Book. That would give you 8 exams. Answer all the questions, and for those you get wrong learn “why” you got them wrong. Take notes for math with the formulas you need to answer the questions. Same with English- learn the specific grammatical rules (when to use a colon vs a semi-colon) and write them down.
The Science book mentioned above is a good one.
Best of luck.