<p>I took the ACT in April and I got a 25. That's horrible. I didn't expect a 34/36 or anything but atleast a 30. I remember flipping through the pages because I didn't think I had enough time but still, how can I get a 25? </p>
<p>Can anyone tell me how I can increase it to atleast 30 by the September ACT? I'm also going to retake the SAT so I'll be studying for both tests. </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Did you ever take any full practice tests? If not, there was no way to predict your score. Really though, you shouldn’t go into depression mode just yet. You’re still in time to increase your ACT by several points.</p>
<p>Well, you may not be thrilled, but scoring above the 75th percentile nationally is not “horrible”. </p>
<p>It’s better to concentrate on one test since you’ve taken both already. You did a lot better with SAT. Stick with that.</p>
<p>But won’t I have to send in my ACT scores to the colleges I apply to? They’re going to see how bad my score was. </p>
<p>No, only a select few colleges require your entire testing history. You can find info like that on the websites of the colleges you are interested in. </p>
<p>Most colleges do not require you to send all scores so I agree with mominwis to focus on the test you did better in</p>
<p>How did you prepare? may be I can share some pointers</p>
<p>OP has been lamenting his standardized test scores for awhile. His retakes haven’t shown a lot of improvement.</p>
<p>Perhaps, OP, you need to get off of CC and crack the books. You don’t need reassurance. You need to bust your butt. If busting your butt doesn’t work, at least you can be satisfied with your effort. No amount of reassurance from us has improved your scores so far.</p>
<p>Don’t be disappointed, take full practice tests like everyone else has said and focus on your mistakes and learn from them. Develop different strategies, whatever works best for you. And lastly, never lose hope and keep on believing.</p>
<p>Here’s my story for some inspiration: <a href=“Improving ACT score - #13 by elitepwnage - ACT Preparation - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/16769770/</a> :)</p>
<p>I went from a 26 to a 27 to a 30 and all I did was do a few like 2 or 3 practice tests so it’s not like my potential wasn’t there I just wasn’t focused the first two times so just keep doing practice tests and find your ways to do better like how certain people do things like read the whole reading passage and annotate then answer or read the first and last paragraph and then skim the test blah blah </p>