I take practice tests at home with the same official time limit, sometimes 5 minutes less in order to compensate for filling out the bubbles. I get about composite 32-34 range with the practice tests. I have only taken the previously administered tests. I’ve also all the tests from the red ACT book, and even in the Red book I get a composite score range of 32-34. However, on the real test, my scores are drastically different. It’s very low compared to the range. I got 27. This has happens to me not once, but three times. I’ve only taken the test 3 times. And before each tests, I practiced my heart out. I gave all my studying to ACT sometimes skipping homework. And yet, on 3 of the tests I get fricking 27 when I’ve been practicing and getting 32-34. From this you should understand how frustrating and discouraging this is. Please Help me.
I don’t know what kind of reply you are looking for. Maybe the added stress of the real test taking environment is causing this. There is really nothing anyone can do to help you. If you don’t want to take the test again, try to accept and move on.
Maybe it would help if you practices using books that are more difficult that the actual ACT. That way, if you’re consistently scoring 32-34 on a harder version of the test, the real ACT will seem easier for you.
@Aeirmich Sorry to hear about your experience. Was the TIR (test booklet) service available for any of your test dates? You’ll want to take a very close look at the types of problems that were tripping you up. Were you down across the board or was it only in some of the subjects? You’ll want to be very methodical about understanding the performance gap. Good luck.
There’s no pressure at home.
Many an athlete who did it perfectly during practice, choke when they do it at the Olympics.
@PrimeMeridian There is more pressure when I’m taking the test with 5 minute less time. And those athletes choke because they took practice lightly and didn’t practice under official conditions.
Yeah…you don’t know that. At all.
Anyway. I don’t know what you want anyone to tell you, since PrimeMeridian’s suggestions were met with defensiveness. Only you know why you’re not performing to your own standards, and if you don’t know, we certainly don’t.
@TestRekt It wasn’t just one subject that I did bad on, it was on all, but at home I was scoring 32-34, sometimes 36, on those sections. And the questions that I get wrong during practice tests are mostly b/c of carelessness, only 1-2 are content gaps. I don’t know maybe its because I have bad case of Test Anxiety, I don’t know how much it would affect my test scores.
That is one of the silliest statements I have read in a while. Not only do you have no idea what you are talking about regarding someone else, more importantly it shows that you have a tendency to deflect realistic possibilities as to your own problem, i.e. that “choking” is a real thing that affects many people in different ways. Test anxiety saps energy and, more to the point, the focus which is critical to making fine differentiations between possible answers.
You say there is more anxiety by taking 5 minutes off your practice. I would contend that is ridiculous. There is no substitution for the anxiety that takes place when your brain knows this is what really counts. That is why some athletes choke, usually. Lots of people can shoot par in golf in casual conditions. Doing that when TV cameras are on, the gallery is watching, and a $1,000,000 prize is on the line is completely different. Even the very best golfers still get nervous. They have just learned how to, and are very good at, taking themselves to a different state of mind when they have to. Talking to a sports psychologist, if one is available, might help. The same things they tell athletes could help you.
First of all, everyone should give this kid a break. Obviously, he/she is very frustrated because he/she feels like they’ve sacrificed a lot and haven’t seen real results. They probably had spent a lot more time than many of his/her peers and their peers have probably gotten better results. So I think the OP is just venting frustration.
The points the posters have pointed out are incredibly valid however. Sometimes anxiety doesn’t manifest itself as being nervous, it can do little things like question yourself or make you focus on a small thing vs. the big picture. Who knows? I’m just saying, you’re obviously a hard working and putting in the effort but it needs to be redirected in a way that will give you the result you need on test day.
The best advice I can give you is to simulate the actual test environment best you can. That means getting of your house to a location that is proctoring actual past tests in a group setting. The bigger the group, the better because that’s what your actual test is going to be like. Take it at the same time of day you would usually take the test (usually am), take it on the same day you would usually take the test. The night before tell yourself that you are taking the actual test and eat and sleep accordingly. Do this a few times before the real test. You’ll be surprised how much better you do come actual test day because it will be just like your practice test.
Good luck!
@universitydude Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it. Thank you for your help!