Hi guys I’m new to this, but I wanted to get some fellow students help and advice on how to improve my ACT Reading and English. I really would appreciate some help.
Here is some background on me. I just took the ACT in March and I got a 28. My math was a 34 and science was a 33. However, my reading was a 20 and my English was a 24. I was disappointed in the test in general and know I will be retaking not. I traditionally get 35s on math and science. So point there is I am strong at those two. I am in no way saying a 34 and 33 are bad, but I know I can do better.
However, the reading and English just maul my composite score. Any strategies you guys have, specifically reading. 3 of my friends consistently get 36s on English and have told me they will help me, so practicing with them should help me. However Reading I truly need help. I always zone out during the sections and run out of time. I need to get a 30 on reading at least. Any pointers from any high scoring readers out there.
For English, getting help from friends with 36s will really help. Do that and review grammar rules. Remember “short, simple, straight to the point” for a lot of the rhetorical questions asking you to reword sentences.
With a 20 on reading, you may benefit from only fully doing 3 of 4 passages. Side note: PLEASE TRY THIS BEFORE THE TEST DAY! Find the 3 passages you’re best at (for me, in order from best to worst: natural science, social studies, humanities, narrative/prose fiction) and spend 11 minutes on those 3. This will give you more time to relax and answer questions more accurately. Pick one letter, and bubble every question on the fourth passage that letter. Please be sure to give yourself at least 1 minute to bubble in for the fourth passage; I recommend 11 minutes on the first 3 just to give yourself a little “wiggle” room. Assuming you do better on the first 3 passages and get at least 2-3 right on the fourth passage, you could be looking at a score of 25ish. In order to get to a 30, you’ll need to get really comfortable with the passages in 11 minutes then slowly transition to doing the fourth passage as well.
READ, READ, READ! Pick up a book and start reading! Not only will reading help you read faster and improve comprehension, it will also help you with grammar. Message me for book recommendations.
Start by giving yourself about 10 minutes per reading passage when you practice until you are missing only 2 or 3 questions (ideally only 1-2 questions). Then decrease the time you give yourself for each passage until you can do each in 8 minutes 45 seconds.