<p>Hi my name is Cassy and I was wondering if anyone has some really helpful tips for boosting ACT scores significantly. I've done a lot of ACT practice and even after doing this, still got the same ACT score of a 27 in October(made a 27 in June). I'm taking the ACTs one last time in December and I really need to raise my score to at least a 29. What practice books could really help me? Is McGaw-Hill's 10 ACT Practice Tests book advisable to use? The areas I really need to raise my scores on are the science and math. Any tips for doing this as well?</p>
<p>Does someone have any tips at all for me?</p>
<p>Hey Cassy, what you're setting out to do is definitely not out of reach. I would say to continue what you've been doing - practicing. Personally, I use The Real ACT Prep Guide, which has helpful tips and strategies, and practice tests of couse. Keep in mind when you do study to focus on your weakest areas. For example, if you consistently score high in reading, don't worry about it too much and devote more of your energy on a weaker area. If you can score a few points higher on your weakest areas it should make a large difference. For a long time I also struggled in math and just between June and October I raised my math score from a 29 to a 33, just by reviewing some key concepts and learning to pace myself. I don't know what advice to give you about the science, as I also have a difficult time with that area. Hope all goes well for you!</p>
<p>I highly recommend The Princeton Review ACT Prep book. It contains many helpful hints that are omitted in other texts. At least in my experience, the ACT tests in TPR are harder than the actual ACT. What is/are your weakest score(s)? Mine were math and the essay.
Here's what I did; it really helped.
On the Friday afternoon before the second time that I took the ACT, I:
1. Went to Starbucks
2. Purchased a grande coffee
3. Read sample essays, with their varying scores and descriptions
4. Reviewed the math formulas and transcribed some of them onto a note card
5. Took a full-length, timed practice math test (and scored it)
6. At home that night, found my old geometry and pre-calculus books and reviewed some of the basics not addressed at length in TPR
7. Got some sleep, was nearly late to the test the next day, and raised my composite score by 5 points! (math went up 8 points, and the essay bettered by 2). This was all the prep that I did between the June and October tests.</p>
<p>Also, I ALWAYS perform better on tests when I consume large amounts of caffeine before/during the test. I highly recommend a Diet Coke or Coke Zero (my favorite :) ) for breaks. I had more caffeine during the past test. (I have noticed that caffeine helps me on all tests, including non-standardized tests; this past ACT experience was not just a fluke regarding the caffeine thing).
Try the caffeine thing during a practice test first - some people do not respond well to high doses of caffeine. If you are such a person, caffeine consumption could seriously compromise your scores. (make you too shaky and hyper).</p>
<p>Hope that helps! Blessings!</p>