ACT Tips, Tricks, Secrets, and Experiences from a First-Time 36er

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
41

@Youshan 1. Pretty much just basic trig and basic conics. 2. No, you don’t need to review that. 3. Not at all, vocab is only asked in the context of a sentence.

42

@hscruiser The most important question is: What college are you going to attend? :slight_smile:

43

what is the requirement to get into NYU if i am able to play for college tennis D3?

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I’m currently getting ready for the September test with a composite score of 30 (E. 27, M. 34, R. 32,S 25 ). Do you have any tips on how I can get a 35/36 within 50 days? Is there a chance if I devote 6 hours a day on ACT prep? Also do can you recommend a ACT prep book other than the Red Book?

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Yes, of course, you can move your score up with dedicated effort.

The best way to study for the ACT is to practice with REAL ACT tests. The 3rd edition of the Real ACT Book (Red Book) has 5 tests to get you started. They are old, but you will get a feel for most of the concepts. Then move on to released tests from 2013/2014/2015.

TIME each practice session to simulate the real test.

English 75 questions in 45 min.
Math 60 questions in 60 min.
Reading 40 questions in 35 min.
Science 40 questions in 35 min

Score your test, and then review only what you got WRONG after each practice session.

I suggest the following schedule:

Take 1 section each week night/with review for 4 nights/week.

Twice per month on a Saturday or Sunday take a full ACT test/with review.

Track your progress!

Here is a detailed sample schedule to get started, modify it to meet your needs:

Mon: English section with review

Tues: Math section with review

Wed:. Reading Section with review

Thu. Off

Fri: Science Section with review

Sat: FULL ACT with review

Sun: Off

46

^^^This is roughly what I did, and I improved two points in two months. Practice makes perfect!

47

I got a 36 on my first try this year as well. I have to say I disagree on Science, though; I always skim the paragraphs describing the experiment, Student observations, etc. Doing so helped me to make sure I saw the picture clearly and I caught details I would have otherwise overlooked. But to each his own :slight_smile: