@amarylandmom - much of test taking is strategy as well. Rather than taking an expensive ACT package from one of the tutorial centers we hired a private tutor (lucked out with an excellent one at $25/hr) who initially just watched him take the tests. He only made a few recommendations but it did force S to spend the time writing several tests. Sometimes the issue is fatigue so rather than just practicing a section at a time, he should plan to some entire tests. In my S’ case, his score jumped from 27/28 (two prior tries) to 33 (and then it did stick there after two more attempts to raise it to match aforementioned friend’score). I don’t want to harp on the test score but aside from Tulane, a higher test score will also qualify him for merit scholarships.