April ACT Score...Hopeless to Yale?

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
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<p>Hello CC'ers,</p>

<p>I'm an international student who took the ACT for the first time in April. To my dismay, I studied two full weeks (during spring break), only to find out that my efforts were in vain.</p>

<p>My scores by section are:</p>

<p>English: 30 (I honestly didn't think I'd do this bad)
Math: 36
Reading: 28 (My worst section, but didn't think I'd do this bad)
Science: 35
Composite: 32</p>

<p>As you probably can discern, I'm more of a science/math person. However, that isn't to say I'm bad at English (I have the highest English grade in my class), but I honestly didn't think I'd to THIS bad. I averaged a 33-35 on my practice tests, with 34/35's on English and 32/33's on Reading. You could imagine the horror I was struck upon when I just checked my scores. (I also have a 750 on SAT Writing...-.-) As the title suggests, I'm aiming for Yale, and I need at least a 35. I'm calling desperately for people who have at least a 34+ for tips/strategies for English and Reading.</p>

<p>The books I currently have at my disposal are:</p>

<p>The Real ACT (aka Red Book)
Princeton 1296
Cracking the ACT
Barron's ACT 36
Barron's ACT English, Reading and Writing Workbook.</p>

<p>I've used the first 3 quite extensively, but the latter 2 to a lesser extent. I'm planning on taking the ACT again in June, and hopefully I'll achieve a 35/36 by then. (I'm a Junior - adding on to my desperation) Any tips and strategies from high scorers would be GREATLY appreciated. Please help out a kid who would have to give up on his dream because of a measly test score!!! Merci beacoup :)</p>

<p>Congratulations on those who did well. For those who didn't, let's study!!</p>

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<p>I also don’t want to make stupid excuses, but I didn’t bring a watch when I took the actual ACT, so I couldn’t pace myself as I did when I practiced. Do you think that might have more or less influenced the score? (It may seem improbable, but I don’t have any wristwatches in my house, so I usually used the timer on my iPod). </p>

<p>I also got 4 hours of sleep (insomnia ftw) the day before. Thanks :)</p>

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<p>Yale was my dream man… Not looking good at all. I did so much better on my practices I don’t understand.</p>

<p>R: 29
E: 29
M: 29
S: 29</p>

<p>C: (You guessed it. How does that even happen?..)</p>

<p>Good luck though man. I wish I could help. Definitely bring a watch though. My proctor kept calling out “about 10 minutes class” which infuriated me. Does that mean 11 minutes? 9 minutes?</p>