Act- English: books, sites, tips, strategy, etc?

<p>I've taken the ACT twice now, soon to be three times. The last time I took it (in June) I got a 29.</p>

<p>Composite 29
English 25
Math 29
Reading 32
Science 29
Combined E/W: 23 (7 on essay)</p>

<p>My English sucks, terribly. I'm taking the test again in September and I'd like to get a least a 30 on English and hopefully a 30 composite (secretly hoping for a magical 33+ <_<).</p>

<p>It's not that I didn't study for the test, I studied! The first time I took it, I didn't study and I got a 27 (composite) with 24 in English.</p>

<p>I've used Kaplan's premiere Act prep book, and Princeton Review's Cracking. It's not that I skimmed or didn't seriously study or anything like that. I'd read the rules of English, understand what they're talking about and the examples, everything will make sense until I'm on my own. When that happens, I can't seem to spot what's wrong with a sentence. For example, it could be subject-verb agreement that is wrong and I wouldn't be able to tell which word is the subject, or the verb or even if the verb is plural or not (is there some tell tale sign to figure out if a verb is plural?). </p>

<p>I've already browsed about every page on this forum and no one seems to have the same problem as me. And it's like that when I'm taking the test too. I'm usually last to finish and I'm always barely making the time limit. On top of that, during the English section, I'm usually just guessing all the time, "Uh.. this kinda looks wrong, and this sounds better!"</p>

<p>I partially blame my teachers in middle school for trying to teach English through the "Shurley Method." It was pretty much the rules of grammar in a "fun, sing-song way." Some English teachers hated it and some loved it. Results? I went through a teacher that would use it, a teacher that wouldn't, and a teacher that just didn't teach.</p>

<p>Summary for the lazies: Help, I really, really, really suck at English. I've used Kaplan, and PR. Tips, advice, etc?</p>

<p>I’d say (since you are looking for ACT English advice) try looking through Cracking again and feeling that you can really nail it.</p>

<p>Also, you should try Sparksnotes.</p>

<p>It’s generally not a good sign when it’s hard to learn something like English…</p>