<p>So, I am going to be a junior in high school in the fall, and I am taking the ACTs in September; my goal is to do well enough so that I only have to take them once and then can relax and just focus on school the rest of the year. For the program I'm looking to apply to early decision, it suggests you have a 27 composite, so I'm honestly just going for a 28 and up. I just have some questions:
I've read a lot of places that Barron's tests are hard, and really, I'm just looking for reassurance. I took the Barron's diagnostic test, and I got a 26. Then, I took the first practice test and got a 24. So, at this point, I was FREAKING out. I finished the Barron's practice test at around 12:30 AM, but I was so freaked out I could not go to sleep until I figured out how much I actually should've been freaking out. So, I decided to take the first practice test from the red Real Act book that night. So, I started at 1am and finished at 4am (so I was slightly deliriously tired) and I got a 29 on that ACT (and this was with me basically falling asleep halfway through the science section.) My question is, can I relax? Is Barron's really that much harder? If I got a 29 on the real act practice test (at 4 am), is that a relatively accurate prediction of how I'll do?
Thank you so much to anyone who helps me out =)</p>
<p>The real ACT practice tests (from the red book) are definitely more reliable than Barrons, but Barrons will prepare you for the most difficult questions you will see on the ACT. </p>
<p>You must be a night person, so taking the time of day you take the test might have an effect. When I have practiced, I have tried to get up early and take it on the same schedule that I will have to take it on test day. My sister is a night owl and I am a morning person. I really think this has a positive effect on me and a negative effect on my sister. </p>
<p>You definitely should not freak out. Your scores are not terrible at all. Try taking a practice test under conditions as close to the actual test as possible and then evaluate. Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>thank you for the response! =)
Yeah, I am DEFINITELY not a morning person haha. I probably won’t be able to plan everything so I can wake up at 8 and take the test (lots of complicated family house situations) but I have two months until I take the test. I’m trying to save the real ACT tests until closer to the test; is that smart?
I just hope I can exceed a 27 the first time I take it!
Thank you =)</p>