Hey everyone! I have taken the act twice now. Once as a sophomore in June 2015 and once as a junior in March 2016. The only preparation I’ve had was I took a few practice tests before the March test. Here’s my scores,
Composite - 30
English - 32
Math - 32
Reading - 25
…Humanities - 12
…Social Science - 14
Science - 31
Writing (new essay) - 27
So, as you can see I’m kind of at a standstill. I am extremely interested in applying to Duke and will do so ED. I’m pretty qualified with ranking/APs, ECs, and recommendations, considering friends in grades above me that have been accepted. So I think I have a good chance except my test score is just too low for comfort.
Should I consider taking the new sat? I do not know much about it. But at least a reading score won’t bring my average down. My 2015 PSAT score was a 1370/1520 (math 740/760 and reading 630/760)
So here are my questions. Should I try the new sat (June 4) even though I will have to take the subject tests (math 2 and probably us history)? Or should I stick with the act (September 10, 2016) since time is running short and I don’t want to be pressed in the fall when I’m doing essays?
Primarily, I would really only like to improve my act (32 would be just what I want anything higher would be even better) and not mess with the sat since I’m pretty unknowledgeable about it. So, if anyone has ANY tips for improving a point or two in math, science, and english. Please COMMENT!!
But what I really need is reading tips! If you know any great practice tips please help. I’m a pretty slow reader, but I’m dedicated. So if anyone as a summer Act practice regimen or anything else that works please comment. Thank you !
Skip reading the passages and go right to the questions. Don’t start with the first question because it usually is a comprehension question about the passage as a whole, which you don’t know about since you haven’t read it yet. Save it for last. Do the questions that start with “In lines 35-36” first, and as you go through the other ones, you’ll get familiar with the passage. Hope this helps.
The SAT gives you ALOT MORE TIME. So, if your reading issue is time, you will do better with SAT.
Go online to the college board site and take a real practice SAT. Then you can see how you do. Start with the reading section, time yourself strictly, and dont interrupt yourself.
This is the best way to determine how well you will do on SAT.
For the ACT, don’t read the passages in the science section - they’re a waste of time. Read the questions then look for the answer. Reason I suggest is because most of the introductory passages to the experiments in the science section are just unnecessary info.
The ACT’s time limits are horrendous. I second the advice to work from the questions rather than reading the whole passage. Skim the beginning to orient yourself and then do the questions with line references first, marking your answers in the test booklet. After you have answered those questions, you will have a better sense of the passage and can approach the main idea and whole passage questions. Mark the bubble sheet one passage at a time to not make mistakes when skipping questions.
Be meticulous with understanding the Writing section’s errors and use Process of Elimination effectively.
The Science section reading passages will mostly just slow you down as the majority of the questions are in reference to the charts and graphs.
I scored a 31 on the ACT because I left a few math questions blank (I was filling in a couple at the end but missed a few in the middle I ended up with a 26 on math and it lowered my score so badly). However, I can definitely help with english, reading and science strategies.
For English, you just have to master grammatical rules, which can be quite easy with a bit of studying. A lot of the questions also include adding more commas, and when in doubt it’s usually safe to assume the version with less commas is correct.
DO NOT waste your time reading the passages in the science section- go straight to the questions then look back. I can’t stress this enough.
For reading, skim the passage quickly first and then read the questions. The basic questions that ask for theme, ideas, etc. should be easy to answer since you have an idea of what it’s about, but then go back and analyze the areas of the passage that are asking the “in lines…” questions. I got a 32 reading my first time taking the test (without studying) just by using this strategy.
Good luck!
I ended up with a 26 on math and it lowered my score so badly). However, I can definitely help with english, reading and science strategies.