<p>I want to hear of people who improved with practice.
Tell me how you achieved improvement.</p>
<p>All I can tell you is to do lots of practice tests, practice your weak areas, and really try to grasp why you miss what you are missing, which in my opinion is the most important part. It helps to work through a practice test intoned throught the week, then take a timed test every Saturday, to get in the routine. Understanding your mistakes is extremely important. I took a timed practice test my freshman year before I ever studied for the ACT. After many practice tests and moderate studying, I decided to take the April 2011 ACT. I got a 33 (34 E, 34 M, 29 R, 36S). I knew I would have to take it again for the writing portion, but I was content with my 33. I decided to continue studying and focus on reading speed, as well as avoiding simpe mistakes in the math and English sections. I just took the December ACT and got a 36 (36 E, 36 M, 34 R, 36S). A 7-point increase is nice, especially when starting with a 29.</p>
<p>(: thanks so much! You’ve given me hope, hahah (: I’m a junior with a 24 and hope to hit atleast a 28 in Feb! You’re defff living proof that practice makes perfect :)</p>
<p>With adequate practice and really having a mindset to improve, that is definitely an attainable goal!</p>
<p>What did you do on the English? I keep making ~25 on these practice tests! I need to get up to 30. I tend to get worse at the end and only miss like 4 in like the first half but then after that I miss 10 the last half! So frustrated man!</p>
<p>@cantstopwontstop</p>
<p>I had similar issues on English(getting ~25 also) and I bought ACT 36 and reviewed the English chapters…seemed to help quite a bit! I now have 32 in it.</p>
<p>Okay thanks! Right now I am taking tests in McGraw Hill. I have a Barrons 36 and Red Book (2nd Ed), but finished all the tests out of it.
I’ll look into getting that book though.
I understand a majority of it, it’s just I get careless!
I also have trouble with Org and Rhet 
but sorta getting the hang of it…</p>
<p>I didn’t practice or study and I got a 29, but I’m a senior and about To start spring semester in high-school. Should I study and retake it? Do I have enough time?</p>
<p>I would only do that for scholarship purposes…</p>
<p>I’ll just echo what timmyb said: Take as many timed practice tests as possible! </p>
<p>I started studying for the ACT about two months before my test date. I made it a point to do a timed practice test every weekend (I had like 3, maybe 4, ACT practice books), and I worked on my weak areas in between. I scored a 29 on my first practice test, but when I took the actual ACT, I scored a 34. </p>
<p>One thing, though, on practice tests: It would be to your benefit to grab tests made directly by the ACT test makers. If you buy The Real ACT Prep Guide, there’s three included; also, you can get one for free directly off of the ACT website. If you get practice tests from anyone else, they’re bound to be either too easy or too difficult - but, if given a choice, go for a more difficult one like The ACT for Dummies book, which, if I remember rightly, includes two tests that are only a tad more difficult than the actual ACT. </p>
<p>Anyway… just STUDY, STUDY, STUDY! It will pay off!</p>
<p>Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>Edit: And one more thing: Test taking skills are just as (if not more) important than actually knowing the material when taking the ACT. Executing the simple things - like pacing yourself, resisting the urge to spend 5 mins. on a problem, eating well, etc. - will make a HUGE difference.</p>
<p>Thanks! (: You all are right! I got my English up to a 29 after consistently hitting ~25!
It took 4 Eng Practice tests, but I got it! I think I was lacking confidence. Once I got fed up, I pushed myself into a whole new threshold.</p>