<p>I took the June ACT and got a 25 for the first time. But i really need to bring it up to a 30 atleast. i have 2 months if i start studying right now so I need advice for the best ACT prep books, and any other preparation that helped someone.
Thank you so much!</p>
<p>I really like princeton review. Barrons is also good, usually they are harder than the actual test. What area do you think you need the most work in?</p>
<p>In English: I’d review grammar, especially punctuation a lot.
Math: If you are fine with algebra I and II that would probably be best, otherwise, you have a lot of studying to do for this section because the algebras have a lot of content in them. Review geometry and TRIG especially if you want in the 30s.</p>
<p>Reading: It is all about pacing yourself and keeping the big picture in mind while still getting some details. I noticed that the first few questions about a passage are detail oriented “What did the girl say when her mom said this” stuff like that, that you can look up in the reading. The second half is usually more big picture and theme based.</p>
<p>Science: The hardest part about this, is that you can’t really study for it beyond doing a crap ton of practice tests. It is always hard for me to keep focus because it is at the end of the test. Pay attention and try to soak up as much of it as you can and don’t freak out during the section (or any part of the test lol) and if you need to, go back and reread the graph or paragraph or whatever. I always seem to be really pinched for time on the science section.</p>
<p>General tips
-learn how to use you calculator as efficiently as possible. Hopefully you have and are familiar with a graphing calculator. If you don’t already know, try to look up various helpful calculator operations. You can do stuff to help you find things more quickly if you know how to use your calculator, there are many things that most teachers don’t tell their classes because it makes the tests really easy. <em>if you have a TI 83 or 84 and would like some tips, PM me</em></p>
<p>-The first time I took the ACT, I got a 25. I took it again and got a 31. My school required all 11th graders to take it through our school, whether or not we already had taken it. I was happy with my 31, I didn’t study a whole lot, I didn’t freak out at all during the test…I got a 34. I was surprised.</p>
<p>-Do as many practice tests as you need to in order to feel more comfortable with the test and the content. Read the explanations to the questions that you got wrong so that you have a better chance of not repeating the mistake.</p>
<p>-If you find that timing is a problem for you, or it stresses you out, take a practice test, but give yourself double the time. Take another one with 15 mins less. and less and less until you get in the real time constraints.</p>
<p>I’m in the same situation as you. I got a 25, and I’m reaching for AT LEAST 30.</p>
<p>Thanks for the detailed advice. I tried studying from the Barron’s book but it was too dense and i couldn’t soak up most of the information for the Grammar review. Looks like the PR is the best one because alot of people have talked about it. Do you think it’s more about studying the content from the book or practicing it?</p>
<p>It’s a mix of the two. You should do plenty of practice to get familiar with it, but at the same time, develop strategies and learn from your mistakes. The test isn’t as much about English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning as it is “how many of our traps and pitfalls can you dodge?”</p>