So I took 5 ACT practice tests in the last month or so, and this is my first time actually taking the ACT.
My question is this: when you actually go to take the real deal, is it easier to focus on the sections, or is it flat out more stressful and harder to focus? I’m hoping that I can lock in on test day and improve from my practice scores by a couple of points per each section. Is this a dumb thought to have?
Also, how long does it typically take to get results back?
Any help is appreciated! Thank you all!!
i found during the sat that it was a bit more challenging to focus because it is a different environment than where i would practice. and it is possible to improve by a couple of points on test day but don’t get your hopes up too too much. it happened to be in reading but i actually went down in math. so it depends really. and for act results i hear it’s about a week and a half.
Look dates up on the ACT web site.
For me it was so much easier to focus on the actual ACT, so much so thatI got too relaxed and on the Math section I had to guess on a few because I was running out of time. I got the same overall score on my ACT then my practice tests but my science was higher and my english was lower so it evened out. I got my scores in two weeks, then the writing score in 5 weeks.
The actual tests were easier for me than practice tests. I found a lot of practice tests to be much harder than the actual tests and it was easier for me not to have my phone and outside distractions. I was also so worried about increasing my scores during practice that it made me do worse. When I took the real thing, I released all of that anxiety by realizing how I did was out of my control and whatever happened would happen. Good luck and remember you can always take it again in the fall!
I would probably guess that it is different for everyone. For some, the pressure might get to them. For others, the anxiety fuels their focus, focus that they may not have during a practice test.
For me, it was the latter.
Though there was nervousness (more on the first take ) I generally felt that I was more focused.
It is very hard to know for sure how you will react.
A tip, level of anxiety is very closely related to how prepared you are. If you know you are prepared to score near or at your target, you will be less nervous. If you know you have to overpreform to reach your target, you will most likely be very nervous.
General rule for the ACT: as practice approaches infinity, score approaches 36.
Some people perform better under stress and some don’t. We have no way of know which kind you are.
Thank you all. Much appreciated. Ended up scoring a 31, which I am aye-okay with. 