<p>Hi need some help/advice/input here. My son a junior is an athletic recruit. He attends a rigorous private school and is a solid A/B+ student with a tough courseload. He is not a great test taker, and he is determined to take the ACT over the SAT. He is a strong science student and also does not feel good about the vocab on the SAT and that is hardly something you can cram for. His problem seems to be the time, he was recently diagnosed with ADD but I feel it would be nearly impossible to get him cleared for more time at this late date (input)?
He just took his first practice test and scored low. (about 22 but this was before a tutor) he is taking another practice next week. He is hoping for a 27-28 to gain clearance for the top D3 schools he is being recruited to. </p>
<p>What are the chances of someone improving their score by 4-5 points on the ACT? My oldest daughter only took the SAT, was not an athletic recruit and totally self driven.She did start off scoring in the 1700's and ended up with a 2160. Also a much better test taker. Any input on this would be really really appreciated.</p>
<p>We have a great tutor who he feels he is making great strides with. As the ACT is unfamiliar to me, any input would be really appreciated.....thank you!</p>
<p>I’d say it’s on the ambitious side of possible. I tutor SATs and my students improve an average of about 250-300 points, which is I believe analogous to 4-5 points on the ACT. </p>
<p>The #1 thing that correlates with my students’ improvement is how much work they put into it. Your son’s tutor is just like any other coach - he’ll get lots of useful guidance but he still needs to run his laps.</p>
<p>One word:
PRACTICE. </p>
<p>All of the answers are directly stated in front of him on the SAT. He just needs to work out speed WITH accuracy.
The proper review books, such as Barron’s ACT 36, and tutors will most certainly help him in achieving his target score.
Also, according to the Yerkes-Dodsin Theory, an optimum level of confidence is greatly needed in order to score well on any exam. He needs to treat every practice test he takes as if he it was the real thing, or else on test day…it won’t go well.</p>
<p>I think your goal is possible to reach if he puts the time in to take a lot of practice tests. Set up a schedule and do a section or 2 several times a week; go over what he gets wrong with the tutor each time and make sure he asks questions to understand what he is getting wrong. With a lot of hard work I think it is possible. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Thanks so very much. I agree practice is the only way with the guidance of his excellent tutor. I am confident he can do it but it will mean having to restructure his time, with not as much time for “the fun” that he might want, but its a short window. I am glad to know you think its possible…I am going to show him this post!!</p>