<p>I am taking the ACT this Saturday. I have taken 5 practice test, but I have only practiced 3 essays, and average around 33-35 on them. Any advice to do good on test day. Some times I am afraid the reading might be hard to say under the time limit. Also, sometimes English its easy to make little mistakes. This is my first time taking it as a Junior. Should I also take it as a Senior? My goal is 32-36.</p>
<p>As far as general advice, I would say to know your time limits. I really believe that knowing how many passages I needed to complete and roughly how much time I had to complete each passage was one of most beneficial things to know about the ACT. Most review books (I think Barron’s, for sure) have the time allocations written in them, but you can probably just Google it. It’s really reassuring to open up your test and know exactly how many passages you have waiting for you and how much time you should spend on each one.</p>
<p>My advice for reading is to underline/jot down one or two words about each paragraph as you read a passage. It may seem like it’s time consuming, but trust me, once you read a question it’s ten times easier to look back and know exactly which paragraph to look at. For example, if there is a paragraph solely dedicated to describing one of the characters, I would jot down the character’s name next to the paragraph. Or if a fight breaks out in another paragraph, I label it as “conflict”. Don’t be too wordy - just jot down something quick as a reference point.</p>
<p>If you’re averaging 33-35 on practice tests, I’m sure you’ll be fine. If not, you have plenty of other times to take the test. I would wait to see your score before you decide to take the test again - if you’re happy with it, then I’m sure it will be fine. If not, you have plenty of time to re-take it. The first time I took the ACT I didn’t bother to study at all and got a 29, but after some prepping, practice tests, and reviewing, I bumped my score up to a 32 the second time I took it. And since you’ve already been doing those, you’re probably set.</p>
<p>Good luck! </p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Can someone please give me advice on the test overall? like in the english ( I am international student) is it like the SAT where the simplest answer is usually the most correct?</p>
<p>@naomi123 YES. The ACT English section WILL be looking for the most simplistic and concise answer available! I’d say 75% of the time there will be more than one grammatically correct answer, but you must go with the most CONCISE answer!! This is definitely a life saver; I’m so glad I knew about this before taking the exam. What I suggest to you, for English only, use Grockit - specifically this Youtube video <a href=“ACT Prep English Tips and Strategies - YouTube”>ACT Prep English Tips and Strategies - YouTube; - they’re great.</p>
<p>@machiavelli777 thank you so much</p>
<p>Anyone know if the essay is at the beginning or the end of the exam?</p>
<p>@foolishprophet It’s at the end of the exam. </p>
<p>For the English one, sound it out… It it doesn’t sound right, then it’s probably not.
For science, manage your time well and read at least the intro paragraph.</p>
<p>how was it for everyone?</p>
<p>I got</p>
<p>English 32
Math 32
Reading 32
Science 34
Essay N/A
Composite 33</p>
<p>How much is the essay worth and how can it affect me?</p>
<p>How generous was the curve? Anyone?</p>