@clichescreenname for reading, many questions the answer is almost always a restatement of something from the passage
english know your grammar rules to get 34+
also you guys should remember that the real act prep guide does not have the updated writing essay section or the updated reading section
writing: new prompt style
reading: there is now one paired passage
For all of those first time ACT test takers or retakers wishing to get a better score, having scored a 35 on September’s test, I hope I can give you some quick tips to help you.
- English: In my opinion, the easiest part of the test. Most of their questions deal with common sense or "does this feel right.." types of questions: a welcomed break from the SAT's tricky style of questions. Most often than not, the shortest answer will be the correct answer for when they have you change an underlined portion of a sentence. I'd say ~ 50% of the time this rings true. Don't forget to study the difference between a semi-colon and colon: they always seem to put a tricky question in there regarding the use of the two (when in doubt, go with the colon, though). A vast knowledge of vocabulary is definitely not needed for this portion. Just go with your gut feeling on most of them, and always reread what you have put. And don't be afraid to put NO CHANGE or OMIT as your answers, there are quite a few of them!
- Math: On this section, you either know it or you don't. Having taken Algebra 2 and Geometry more than two years before I took this test, it required some due studying on my part. Make sure to brush up on your algebra, especially linear and quadratic equations. SparkNotes has a really nice online study guide for all the math you will need to know on the test. Beyond knowing the area of the circle, the slope of a line, and the distance formula, all other equations they'll give to you or you probably won't need to know. 60 questions in 60 minutes is a fair amount of time, but remember you should be through the first 30 or so questions in 20 minutes or less to save time for the last 10-15 that are usually pretty darn tricky. Work slowly but surely to start out, you don't want to miss a really easy question with a silly mistake.
- Reading: This has traditionally been the hardest part of the test for me, but I was pleasantly surprised to receive a 35 on it in September. I'd say the main way to prepare for this section, and really all of the other sections, is to PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! To answer 40 questions in 35 minutes while reading different passages is very difficult, so the more practice you have beforehand will help you out. You will probably barely finish in time, so be prepared to be a stressed but remember to stay focused. My strategy was to read the passage thoroughly one time, paying attention to every word, and then answering the questions on what I thought the best answer was after looking back. I would not recommend "speed reading" because many of their questions deal with specific parts of the passage(s) that you cannot skim. Compared to the SAT, the ACT Reading section deals heavier in picking out what you have read rather than trying to figure out what it means. So, in essence, they ask context questions more than critical reading questions. Almost all answers can be found written within the passage.
- Science: To some people, the easiest part of the test. To others, the hardest. My main tip I can give you is to not read or look at the graphs/paragraphs/tables they give you but to jump straight to the first question for each different passage. Again, same as Reading, the best way to improve on this section/do well is to practice them. Almost all questions will not require any scientific knowledge beyond basic knowledge such as "what is photosynthesis?" or "what kind of molecule is sugar?"
- Writing (optional, but required by most colleges): I have never been a good essay writer, so I never scored above a 9 out of 12. Thankfully with the ACT the essay is not calculated into your composite and does not affect your overall score. My main tip for this one is to try to use as much evidence you can coming from history, current events, or science. Using personal anecdotes can be good, but concrete evidence is usually better. Make sure to jot down a quick outline of what you will be writing about, so you don't forget your ideas as you're writing. And although they say spend 5-10 minutes planning your essay, I nearly always started well before 5 minutes.
Overall, speed is key. Work as quick as you can without losing focus. Make sure to familiarize yourself with how the test is structured. I took 10+ practice tests in preparation for taking it, and I feel that is why I scored well. If anyone has questions on specific sections or whatnot, feel free to message me or reply to this post. I went from a 31, to a 33, to a 35 my third time. Good luck to all of you!
-MrTongueTie
@MrTongueTie wow thank you. In your opinion are the real act practice tests easier than the actual act?
@HelloEveryone27 It depends. Some practice tests might have a slightly harder section than the real test, or it could be the other way around. But overall they are pretty close to the real thing, especially the tests off of powerscore.com and from the Official ACT Study Guide. The hardest part about the real test is sitting and taking it for 3.5/4 hours, because most people study section by section and don’t allot the time to take a full length test for practice.
Between the three tests you’ve taken total, how much did you study in between them? Did you study a lot or did you just get a better score by becoming more familiar with the test itself? @MrTongueTie
Hey guys, please I need help with the writing section. There isn’t a lot of prep material out there and I have no clue how to approach the section at all (freaking out right now). Could someone please lay down a template of how I would go about the essay? Thanks for any help. You could save me.
@clichescreenname I did not study at all the first time I took it and got a 31. Then I took probably four practice tests for the second one, and for the third one I took as many practice tests as I could find online, and all the ones in the practice book. By practicing, you become familiar with the test. And I will reiterate that the best way to “study” for the ACT and do well is to practice, practice, practice. There is not a definitive way to study specific material for the ACT, in my opinion. Statistically each time you take the test you will improve up to your fourth time I think. Awesome username, by the way.
@CheckMate123 So how the new writing essay is set-up is that they give you a prompt and then they give you 3 or 4 different ways to respond to the prompt. For example, the prompt for my most recent ACT was whether it is never, sometimes, or often justified to break the law when the law might be at odds with what is right. So, basically, you have to read a prompt and analyze your own position, or explain why a different position is incorrect. So in mine I chose to say that breaking the law is sometimes just, but not often or always. I used MLK and his practice of peaceful protest as an example, and talked about how no respect for the law would lead to chaos (just look at Chicago). To answer the essay you should focus on developing your point while at the same time proving why your position is better than the others. use counter-arguments with evidence from history, science, or current events. Make an outline of things you will talk about, and start writing! That is the best way to come up with ideas…get pencil to paper. And luckily colleges don’t hinge on your ACT essay score that much, and it doesn’t factor into your composite score, so don’t worry too much about it.
@CheckMate123 i got a 33 on my writing, with 11s in all 4 categories on the October test. I hope I can help.
Im used to SAT essays so I used to write without thinking, which got me 9s consistently. But this 40-minute refuge gave me time to organize my thoughts and formulate a pretty beast essay.
they give you 3 perspectives. I would side with one, because siding with none of them can be confusing and convoluted.
In your intro, state all 3 and briefly explain what each perspective is saying. For example, I took the September and it was about Bad Laws. One of the perspectives said that sometimes, breaking the law is just. Explain the other 2 and in your “thesis”, state why your perspective is better than the other two.
I would do 2 bodies, one for each perspective you are not siding with. Carefully explain why this perspective could be true, but don’t go too far. Once you set the groundwork, destroy that perspective and give reasons why. You can also use “Perspective 1” to clarify. For me, I used “reasoning”, not examples. I made it realistic that these perspectives were trash.
then your next body would be your perspective. (For example, number 1). Give strong reasons, including historical and current events, literature, and other viable sources. Then briefly explain why people don’t agree with this perspective so that you don’t seem narrow-minded and are able to see minute flaws in your argument. Again, do it briefly. Hint: make this your longest paragraph and spend the most time on it. I spent almost a page on mine because of time. There is no limit for examples. Connect them. Do whatever you can to show that this perspective is the best.
For conclusion, again state the three perspectives. Here, I would use specific language and word choice to convey the negatives of perspective 2 and 3 and the positives of perspective 1. End with a classic clincher and by now, you should have filled up a lot of space, which is key. They give you extra time for a reason. Providing a lot of examples and details factor in the reader’s mind when they grade.
Hope this helps. I’m taking this in December and hoping to get 11s and 12s.
@MrTongueTie can I ask you some questions? I consistently get 33s on practice tests and the real thing, and even though this is a stellar score, I know I can get 35-36. Is the difference just the matter of being perfect. I get 33-34 on math, my fav section because of silly mistakes and whatnot. I get 33-34 on English, and I dont know why. I guess on the questions where I eliminate two answer choices, I get unlucky. I get 32s on reading but its my lowest. I can fix that. It’s just a matter of concentration. For science, I need to get higher. I always mess up. I got 34 on my last one, but I need 36 to boost my superscore.
Is your 35 a 34.5? I know it doesnt help me but Im curious. a 35 is perfect minus human error. Literally. I think getting 4 questions wrong on the whole test gets you a 35.
This is a question a bit apart from the topic, but could someone share a tip on “As it is used in line , the phrase ** most nearly mean…” question of the reading section? I am frequently getting this type of question wronge. 
Maybe it’s because English is not my second language, Nonetheless, help!
@ikim16 The more times you practice and take the tests, the better you’ll be able to differentiate the right answer. I’d say there are a couple ones that I always take an educated guess on, but to get a 35 you really have to know your stuff, and guess maybe only once or twice. if you know there is a specific type of question you miss, study why you missed it. In September I got a 34 E, 35 M, 35 R, and 36 S. So that equates to a 35.0 flat composite score. The difference between a 35 and 36 is tangible; I think it is 5-7 questions depending on the test itself and how they weight it. And remember, don’t worry too much about your test scores. A 33 is a great score and is above average at almost every school in the country. Better to focus on essays, extracurriculars, and living your life at that point.
So I took the ACT in September and got a 34. Going to take it again in December in hopes I might improve a little.
To anyone studying for the test right now:
- Since your short on time the best thing you can do is do as many practice tests as you can. Taking the sections should basically become pretty much second nature to you. And make sure you become an expert on every concept and question you get wrong. Come the day of the test you should be able to get through the problems you previously got wrong with no problems.
- You absolutely NEED Barron’s 36 test prep book and the red book. All aside these two are the absolute essentials. If you run out of tests in the red book you can find some other ones made by ACT online…I think there is a CC forum somewhere with links to them. If you still need more practice after that you can go to the ACT website…they have practice questions there too. And Princeton’s 1496 is also a pretty good book. It’s basically just all practice tests.
@ikim16 How would I state all three perspectives in my intro? Could you give an example?
@Alpha101 I’ve taken 8 practice tests…is that enough?
@CheckMate123 there really is no set number. It really depends on how well you do on the tests. What’s your average score range for the tests you took?
In my personal experience I took about 15 tests. The set goal is to get to a point where you are constantly scoring high on every test. For example, I think the last 5 tests I took ranged from 33-34. So i was constantly scoring in a high score range.
But in all honesty there is never a limit to the amount of practice tests you can take. I’d recommend you try to pump out as many practice tests as you can right now. If you are really determined to score high I’d advise you to try to take a test every 1-2 days until December 12. And make sure you go over the answers you got wrong. I remember on the ACT I took in September, there were tons of questions the were exactly like the ones in the previous practice tests I had taken except with different numbers switched in.
anyone ever go from a math score in the 20’s to the 30’s I need help!!
@CheckMate123 just mention the topic and cover all aspects. The three perspectives do just that. Usually, 2 perspectives clash with each other, and the 3rd one is just a random one. Mainly, give your interpretation. "In perspective 1, it says this while P2 says this. However, it is possible P3 has ssome substance. Something along those lines.
Im kinda vague but set your reader up for 3 seemingly okay perspectives. Then reject 2 of them and finish with the P you chose.
and i know getting 33-34, there’s nothing you dont know. It’s just being perfect now.
@CheckMate123 Don’t worry too much about the introduction of your essay. The readers know that you don’t have time to come up with a good grabber or anything, just state a position that you agree with. Say something like "Although Perspective ___ has certain merits, and Perspective ___ is not without consideration, ultimately Perspective ___ is the best because of [quick summary of evidence here].