I took the ACT for the first time last June and got 30 Composite (30 E, 31 W, 32, R, 27 Sci). I really want to get somewhere between 32-34 which is a big jump. I have been practicing diligently, but haven’t seen the steady improvement I was hoping for. This test really Irks me because I have done very well in AP tests and AP classes, but it is the ACT’s that I struggle with (relatively). Are there any test strategies or last minute tips I should know? I take the ACT September 9th (1 Week from now!), and I am hoping it is the last time I take it (although october is open). Is there anything I should be doing besides doing 1 section per day and reviewing the answers?
For science, GO TO THE QUESTIONS FIRST. This ensures that you will only look through the data tables/graphs for the information that is relevant, which saves you a ton of time. This method (and practice!) raised my science score by almost 5 points. Also, leave the opinion section for last! (The one where three individuals explain a phenomenon) This section takes a very long time and you would be better off answering the more straightforward questions first.
Also, I found white noise audio really useful in helping me concentrate during practice :). You can find one on YouTube.
Only less than a week left, the best you can is not to do once section per day, but time yourself as a real test for all four sections to make sure you have a pace and timing, so you can finish all sections, and no questions left not answered or by guessing (especially the science and math section). Since you said you were doing well with APs, so it should not be your general knowledge on the material, but lack of skills in the test itself.
My daughter was in your shoes exactly one year ago with her 1st try ACT composite, at the lower side of her dream school. The whole summer she avoided practice even there were two books I bought for her. Only couple days left, and I seriously asked her to time herself so she could correct her running out time and guessing toward the end of her ACT test (I think the test result shows you this by seeing you have blank answers or lots of wrong answers toward the last few questions. Fight with teeth and nails against my demand, she finally did couple timed tests on math and science sections (her English and Reading were good).
Well, she got 33 composite and ended up accepted by her dream school. If you did try my suggestion and got improved in your second try, would you please let me know?
I’ll give it a try and let you know how I do! The two situations sound pretty similar, so hopefully I can score as well as a 33 (congratulations to her)! @amNotarobot
I had just tried your tip on going to the questions first, and went from a 27 to a 33, so it definitely works! Any other tips on the math section? I feel like I get the first 40 pretty well, then I really get hurt on the last 20! Thanks for the awesome tip @bimbunky !
bimbunky that’s my favorite science trick! You don’t really need most of the reading stuff anyway. My science scores has really increased.
WVOR357$ I have a similar math problem. What has really helped me is dividing my time among the problems by using a digital timer. I allot 25 minutes for the first 30 problems, 25 minutes for the next 20, and 10 for the last ten problems. I find the earlier problems are easier and can be done faster. The middle 20 questions take up the most time for me. If I run out of my “allotted” time, I simply guess on the remaining questions and move on. If you find that it’s the last 20 problems that get you, try dividing the time up differently. The time allotment technique has really helped me for the reading and science sections as well.
@amNotarobot Hi! I just checked my scores now and I am now at a 32! (35 E 33M 31 R and 29 Science) Although my score report wouldn’t show my science section idk why. Thanks for the help!