<p>When I was prepping for the ACT with the red book, I consistently got 33s (34+ on math and science, 33 on English and 29 or 39 on reading. When I received my scores this morning, I got a 28 composite (29 M 30 E 30 Sci 23 R). When I did the practice tests, I did not bubble my scantron and I only did 1 section at a time, could this be the reason I did so much more poorly? I'm so angry!</p>
<p>I did the same thing as you in that I did one at a time and didn’t use the scantron when I practiced and my scores wre only slightly lower on the real one. So you probably just a bad test this time.</p>
<p>Did you do each section under timed test conditions? The ACT has a lot to do with knowing how to manage your time correctly and effectively. If you didn’t practice under timed conditions, I would suggest doing that from now on. Personally, I did better on the April 13th than I have on any of the practice test I’ve taken (from a composite standpoint), although my math score was lower than expected.</p>
<p>You should do at least a few timed full tests just as in a real test and see how you performed. Practicing section by section would help your score but it will not give you a good estimate of your real performance.</p>
<p>I did it under the timed conditions, but did not bubble a scantron. Do you have any bubbling strategies? All at once or one by one?</p>
<p>I bubble one by one. And I agree with people above about it probably only being a bad test. My reading section was about 7 points below normal for me on this test as well.</p>
<p>Just retake it; if you were getting in the 33 range, you’ll do much better next time.</p>
<p>Alright, thank y’all for the encouraging words! I appreciate it.</p>
<p>oh lol that’s strange, when i practiced using the red book, i always got 32’s and rarely 33’s, but i got really lucky on the april act, and got a 35!! i couldn’t believe it myself at first haha</p>