<p>How is the ACT graded? I know that it's made up of 4 subjects (5 if you include writing), each of which is graded out of 36 points and then you have your 36 composite. But is it graded on a scale, like the SAT IIs where for some you can miss 5 and still get an 800, or is it like 36/# of questions = the number of points you get per question answered correctly? Thanks! Any tips about the ACT in general would be appreciated (I'm taking it as a junior on Sept 24th).</p>
<p>And btw, would anyone know how good the barron's book is for the act? That's the one I have but I'm not sure if it's actually really similar to the test since I've never taken the ACT before.</p>
<p>bump bump bump</p>
<p>No clue about the barrons book but I am using the PR book and the Official guide for the practice tests since I am taking it in October. You are right the essay is out of 12 points and everything else is 36. You almost have to get all of the reading and science questions to get a really high score I mean missing about 4 on reading will bring you down to a 32. Math you can miss quite a few as I recall and get an O.K. score. What are you shooting for anyway?</p>
<p>I'd really like a 35/36, but since this is my first time taking it, I'm not expecting that great of a score. Thanks so much for your help! That curve (or rather non-curve) is crazy though.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure that a 34 will still put you in the 99th percentile. I only got a 27 and I still was put in the 90th percentile. If you study and work at it I bet that you won't have any problems with a 34. I don't care what everyone else says I really think that the ACT is a million times easier than the SAT. Good luck and I hope that you get the score you want. Although I remember reading somewhere that only around 50 people a year will get a perfect 36....</p>
<p>Actually, anything above 32 is considered 99th percentile.</p>
<p>about barrons-personally i don't think it's very accurate.</p>
<p>Wow, really? I had no idea about the 99th percentile thing. That makes me feel a lot better so thanks! =] Is Barron's harder than the actual test or is it easier? Because I know that Barron's for the SATII Math was a lot harder than the actual one and if it's harder, that makes a lot of sense, but if it's easier, well... hehe.</p>
<p>I like Barron's. I used a pretty old library version of their book. It got me a good score on the ACT.</p>
<p>anyone use kaplan? how was it? also, does the real acts prep book have 3 tests or 5?</p>
<p>The Real ACT's Prep guide only has three tests, but you can also get Getting into the ACT (also made by the ACT people) for two more tests. I tried Kaplan for a while, but it was horribly inaccurate. Here is an example, I missed one question on the Kaplan English test, which projected a 34-36 on the test, but I got a 30 on the english part. They only teach three big tips, which help, but don't prepare you near enough. The rest of the sections weren't that great either. I am working through PR and Barrons and would suggest either over Kaplan.</p>
<p>Wait, even the Barrons prepartion/introductory info. in the beginning is useless?</p>
<p>I answered all of the math questions, got one wrong, and scored a 35. I would tend to agree that you can't miss very man. However, there aren't as many questions as the SAT. The questions generally require a bit more thought than SAT questions, but you have a reasonable amount of time for that.</p>
<p>I personally thought ACTs were RADICALLY easier than the SATs. Good luck :)</p>
<p>so, any word on barrons?</p>