So I just recently started studying for the ACT and compared to the SAT, the ACT is a freaking sprint! I don’t understand how many people can actually comprehend what they’re reading and answer everything in an efficient amount of time. I’m talking about the reading and I guess science, too. What kills me is that I KNOW the answers and the material isn’t all too hard. I’m a good student with a lot of APs so I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong.
For those who scored very well on the ACT, what are some tips I can get on answering all the questions with accuracy? What did you use to prepare and for how long? Thanks!
Timing is the difference between ACT and SAT. The problems/questions are generally easier, so the ACT makes you work fast to earn a top score. Note, the so-called Science test is primarily a speed-reading test; little science knowledge required.
What my D did was to break up the tests into sections and take them agains the kitchen timer. 8 questions in say, 10 minutes, and then practice until you can do 10 in 10 minutes. To go faster, practice against the clock.
I think the ACT is easier for me but timing is the only thing I have a problem with. I got a 1240 on the SAT, and I took it once, but I’ll take it again in March.
Well, I’m someone for whom the tests don’t make all too much of a difference - I score about the same on both. I like the ACT better because the questions are far easier. It’s a trade off. ACT = ease, but you need speed, and SAT = hard, but you have as much or more time than you need.
I consider myself to be quite a fast reader, which is why the ACT is easier for me, personally. But if you’re not, the SAT is also a great option and that may help you a bit on the score level.
In terms of the reading, the correct plan is to skim, not to read the passage in depth and understand it. Skim the questions BEFORE the reading, and that should help a little.
Science… you just have to practice. Do questions in order, take at most 5 mins/passage, and train until you can do it.
Just note: the ACT and SAT do not measure intelligence. So don’t feel bad if your score doesn’t match up to the level you think you are. They are testing very specific subsets of intelligence – speed, recall, and baseline comprehension. Nothing else.
I would focus on the SAT. If the ACT questions are that easy for you, and pace is the biggest factor, you can definitely practice SAT questions and do well on that test. Our S19 got a 27 on a practice ACT and didn’t even fill in 8-10 questions per section. Got virtually all of the questions correct that he answered. He really thinks he would never be able to finish the reading or science sections. He scored a 1360 on a practice SAT and had time to spare. I’ve talked to some tutors and they think, with a little strategy practice on his own, he should be able to get over a 1500 easily. (Some of the questions he answered incorrectly on the math section in particular were really easy. He just misread them.) Like you, he is a very good student in all AP and honors classes. As a soph, he is in Pre-Calc H so he has learned all of the math he needs but just needs to back and review since Geometry was taken in eighth grade!
I’m fine with the reading and writing on math, but I just can’t do math (610). I know how to do the math, but I just hate how the test introduces basic concepts in a riddle-like manner. So maybe more practice? I feel like with the SAT I need to brush up on skills versus the ACT where I would need to cut down time with better reading comp.
My ACT-33C
English-32
Review your grammar rules. If you notice you struggle on grammar problems on the ACT, look for a site or any reviewer that goes over all type of ACT grammar questions and these questions will be a breeze. Do practice and maybe look for grammar exercises if you want to prepare even more. For the rhetorical logic questions, you just have to use context and your brain, practice tests will help improve this also.
Math-35
I believe the questions on the ACT are more conventional and overall easier compared to the SAT. Some SAT math questions are really weird to me. If you struggle in math, use khan academy or any sort of reviewer to resfresh your brain with all the math topics. On the actual test, one Stats questions caught me off guard so look out for those. Questions go from easy to hard so speed through those first 30-45 questions as fast as possible. For the most part, those tricky questions were in the last 15 for me.
Reading-32
You’re right this subject is usually a sprint. My strategy is to skim over the passage, sometimes not even reading every sentence, and then go to the questions. While skimming I usually read through the main points of each paragraph so when I need to refer back to the text on a specific questions, I know where to generally look.
Science-33(1 misbubbled question dropped me from a 35 to a 33)
I usually go straight to questiosn here, skim passage when you need to, save conflicting viewpoints for the end, and just look at the graphs for most questions. Don’t think too much about the concepts as for the most part, you(or atleast for me) will barely understand the actual conceptual science behind the passages.
Overall, if you have the time, take a lot of practice tests to work on timing and just get used to the material and the type of questions on the ACT. Review your answers thoroughly and really understand the questions you got wrong.