Hi all, I am in need of help on how to prepare and study. I took my first ACT in October and am a current junior in high school. My scores are as follows:
E - 30 (17 UM, 15 R)
M - 25 (15 EA, 11 AG, 12 GT)
R - 26 (14 SS, 12 AL)
S - 25
W - 24
C - 27 (26.5)
Overall, I was pleased with this. I did no studying or preparation. I found my writing to be low (like a lot on this forum have) but am not as worried as I was originally because that is an 88% score. Now that I have taken it, I have set a goal of a composite score of 33 by June. I would also like to score 35+ on the English section, which will result in me receiving credit for English 1 & 2 at my desired college and not having to take an AP class next year or worry about the test this year. I have taken two practice tests since.
Practice Test 1:
E - 28 (17 UM, 13 R)
M - 27 (14 EA, 12 AG, 13 GT)
R - 29 (14 SS, 17 AL)
S - 28
C - 28 (28.0)
Practice Test 2:
E - 31 (17 UM, 14 R)
M - 27 (16 EA, 13 AG, 14 GT)
R - 33 (17 SS, 17 AL)
S - 27
C - 29 (29.25)
I have shown tremendous growth and improvement in reading, which I attribute to finally finding a proper strategy and knowing how to manage time. I’m not sure what happened on English on the first practice test, but I was happy to see it bounce back the second time. I just hope I can bring it up 4 more points. On the second practice test, math and science both decreased from the first practice test but are still better than my official scores from October. I attribute my lower math scores to two factors: 1) Not taking both Geometry and Algebra II my sophomore year; I was required to take Algebra I in 9th grade after taking it in 8th grade as well due to not meeting new Common Core standards from my 8th grade year. As a result, I am just now in Algebra II. And 2) I had an awful geometry teacher last year. This is rather self explanatory. She was fired from my school after her first and only year (last year). I’m not really sure about science; I guess I’m just not too great at it. I always feel good about how I did after taking it though. I struggle to study for it because there are no “set” skills to study or follow since the charts/graphs/information/studies are different every single time.
So basically I am asking how I can improve these math and science scores! Any and all feedback is welcome. English and Reading are on the right track, and I have a fantastic English teacher this year who I can ask to tutor me if necessary, so I am not sweating over those yet.