<p>Can you guys list what your main approaches are to tackling each of the 4 sections and how successful you are. Also, if there are any drawbacks that you get from doing this strategy. There are some sections I might not be approaching the best way so it may be helpful to change it up</p>
<p>My approach and success level:</p>
<p>English: Not really any strategy to this one as I just take the questions as they come. I need to improve on my English usage and mechanics (I don't know how I get these wrong) but I also tend to miss questions on improving the order of paragraphs or sentences. Score: 26-28 ; Goal: 30-32</p>
<p>Math: Strongest topic for me and I usually just go through all of the questions that I can immediately answer leaving maybe 5 at the most to come back to. Score: 33-34 ; Goal: 35-36</p>
<p>Reading: I usually read most of the whole passage and really absorb what the passage is about. Then just answer the questions based on the flow of the passage and just reference back to passage for questions about certain words or lines. Score: 30-32 ; Goal: 32-34</p>
<p>Science: If it's a Data/Table type question then I just look at the questions and answer off what is presented. If it's a passage comparing 2 different hypoteses points then I skim to find the main difference and usually thats enough. Score: 30-32 ; Goal: 32-34</p>
<p>Like I said earlier, these are the strategies that have worked (or havent worked depending on the person) for me but I am willing to experiment with some new strategies. Usually I spend the maximum time on English and Reading but not the other 2 sections. Please post whats the best strategy for you.</p>
<p>I usually do the same, except during the reading section. I usually read the question first and skim the passage to find the answer, giving me about 50sec for each question.</p>
<p>I do a lot better in science if I read everything, and try to understand it all, but with my time limit. I have taken a ton of science so it comes really easy to me. especially when I have done a lot of the experiments. I usually can assume a lot of stuff, but reading the whole thing takes a lot of doubt away.</p>
<p>English: I used the English one of the Princeton Review. I read the entire thing pretty much. I should have everything down. Anyone else can suggest anything better than PR. Score: 31 Aiming: 33-34</p>
<p>Math: Strongest one ever. I do like practice tests from anywhere. I dont care if theyre easy or hard.. because all I want is not to miss those questions on the ACT. I dont really check what my score is. I just review what I get wrong. Score: 35. Aiming: 35-36</p>
<p>Reading: I dunno!. I think it all comes down to practice. I dont know any good strategy book but DO NOT get the Princeton Review. Its actually really bad. I suggest Barrons even though its hard.. it'll prepare you. Score: 26 Aiming: 30-32</p>
<p>Science: I think I read the questions and then answer. I usually skim the passage and underline key words( no more than 15-20 seconds) and then I go straight to the questions. Anyone else know a good strategy book? Score: 30 Aiming: 33-34</p>
<p>Anyone else can suggest me any prep books that would be helpful.</p>
<p>English: Practice, practice, practice! Read "The Elements of Style," and most of all, just practice. Score: 30-31 Aiming: 33+</p>
<p>Math: Just do it. Use calculator if necessary. Score: 33, 35 Aiming: 36</p>
<p>Reading: Read the passages you like first. I read Natural Science, Social Science, Fiction, and Humanities in that order. I don't read the passage for the former two, and answer questions while referring to the passage. For the latter two, I quickly skim the passages for a feel, then answer the questions. I read the line-specific ones first, then move outward.
Score: 27-28 Aim: 30+</p>
<p>Science: Read the questions, referring to the diagrams and charts. Skim passage and answer the questions. Score: 28, 33 Aim: 33+</p>
<p>Essay: Don't make an outline: make one as you go. Make up examples if needed, and write big. Always address the other side, and say why it's wrong. Score: 10 Aim: 11-12</p>
<p>Generalities for all 4 sections:</p>
<p>Work the easiest questions first. No question is worth more than any other. That may mean that you attempt specific sections in order.</p>
<p>Don't spend an inordinate amount of time on any one question. Know beforehand the amount of time that you can spend (on average) per question. Once you hit that limit, bubble in an answer, circle the question in the booklet, and move on to the next question. Return to the circled questions if you have time - if you run out of time at least you have a chance of getting the correct answer.</p>
<p>There is no reason whatsoever to leave blanks on your answer sheet!!! If you don't fill in an answer, you have no chance of getting a point. If you make a wild guess, you've got at least a 20% chance of selecting the correct answer. And most CC posters should be able to eliminate at least one of the choices, making the odds greater. If your watch/clock shows that you have a couple of minutes left, make sure that you are at least able to fill in a guess for every question.</p>
<p>I did really poorly on English, do you think reading the Elements of Style will really help improve my score?</p>
<p>I just took a reading practice today. The prose fiction passage is always killer for me, and it's hard to understand. If I miss anything, its usually in that section. </p>
<p>On the one I took today, I read it, and had absolutely no idea what it was about. I really panicked, and went through all the questions, and went back to the text a lot. Fortunately, all the other sections were really easy so I made up for all the time I lost and finished. </p>
<p>When I checked over my answers, I was surprised to see that the only question I missed was the one in prose fiction that said "what is this passage about?" (I had no clue).</p>
<p>That earned me a 36!</p>
<p>I am so proud of myself.</p>