***APRIL 2015 ACT DISCUSSION THREAD***

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
1

Hello All!
Thought I’d make this thread as I don’t see one already made. I just finished registering for the April ACT and the registration deadline is next Friday, I believe. So don’t forget to get that done ASAP!

Good luck to us all!

2

Thank you for making this thread :slight_smile:
Do you have any advice on how you’re studying & what books/resources? Do you think 1 month is enough to study for the April ACT?

3

I think it’s all about discipline. I have a friend who took the SAT didn’t do well on it, then switched to ACT, studied intensely for 2 weeks and got a 33.

I know I must do well on this test so I’ll study everyday and very hard for it. I have the Real ACT guide and Barron’s ACT 36 along with several online resources.

4

@‌exceller123 The best way to study for the ACT is to practice with REAL ACT tests. There are 5 tests in the Red ACT Book, 3rd Edition. ACT released several tests in booklet form.

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 school night/with review for 4 nights/week.
Twice per month on a Saturday or Sunday take a full ACT test/with review.

5

@PoisonIvy20 and @HereToHelpYou Thank you for your help! Yeah I was working on the SAT for a while too and now switching over to ACT. I have the Real ACT Guide, so I’ll follow your suggestions for just doing a lot of practice from there. I took a diagnostic and I realized that one of the hardest things for me is finishing in time, especially when it comes to the reading section. Any suggestions for that?

6

@exceller123 check you PMs

7

Same here @exceller123‌ If anyone has any advice. Pls feel free to PM me. I’m trying to achieve a one and done here
haha

8

I’m testing.
Using “ACT Math for Dummies” (used copy; got it for $2 at a garage sale), Barron’s “ACT 36” (bought it online), and the free released tests provided by the ACT (on their website).
I also borrowed my friend’s book; The Princeton Review “Math and Science prep for the SAT & ACT”, which is only useful for the Science section.

9

Is this your first time? I am looking to improve my English and reading this time:
C:27
E: 25
M: 28
R: 29
S: 26

10

Yep, this is my first time.

11

Does anyone know when scores will be given out for the April 2015 ACT?

12

Generally scores take anywhere from 9 days to 8 weeks

13

The scores will be out April 28? At midnight 10 days after the 17

14

Are the April 18th and April 28th tests different? Are there going to be separate threads?

15

I didn’t know there was an April 28 test??

16

courtneykur:

I think people who take it at their schools have it on the 28th.

17

Let my personal experience boost your confidence a little:

I studied for SAT for two years - since my Sophomore year – which included classes, books, self-studying, and other resources. Despite my efforts, I barely broke a 2000. Someone suggested that I take both exams to see which one better suited me.

I took the official ACT for the first time and got a 30. Two/Three months later, I took another one and got a 31. Since I had a summer gap, I studied by myself (no classes, but just the red book & released exams) and took at least a practice test every day for the last two weeks of summer.

I was worried whether I would even get a 33. At that point, I would’ve been ecstatic for a 34.

I got a 35.

You can do it – don’t let your SAT score discourage you.

tl;dr ACT>>>SAT for me, you can do it.

18

I’m also taking it on the 18th! Good luck to us! :smile:

19

Bump

20

I’m taking it as well! :slight_smile: this will be my first time taking it, and I’m a junior in high school. I’m making it a pretty strict goal to achieve at least a 28/29… but we’ll see. I’m using Princeton Review’s Cracking the ACT; there’s probably better prep books out there but I’m pretty partial to Princeton Review just because of how much it helped me w the AP Euro exam sophomore year. :slight_smile:

I also plan to purchase The Real ACT Prep Book… it has like 5? released exams in it and I think there would be a huge benefit to seeing actual ACT exams rather than the made up ones by other companies. However, if you get this book, I would advise you get another book like Princeton Review or Barrons as well just because The Real ACT Prep Book doesn’t have much content review in the beginning like the other ones do. The combination of them both probably would be killer :slight_smile: