<p>Hellp people. My ACT scores are listed below. I just want to know how I can improve my reading and english scores. I really want to get into good schools! </p>
<p>ACT English 30
ACT Math 35
ACT Reading 28
ACT Science 32
ACT Comp 31 (It sucks how I must be above 31.5 to end up with a 32) </p>
<p>Please help me with Reading. How can I end up with a 30+? I think I can still do better in English if I revise the tips. Also, I did not understand the ACT Science curve, shouldn't one score some points for a raw score? Based on this confusion I gave myself a 32. </p>
<p>Tips and tricks for all sections if given will be appreciated.
Thanks :)</p>
<p>In my opinion, the only way to really increase your skills is to take tests over and over again. ACT has certain methods of writing their questions, so if you figure that out, then you’ve got it down. This is especially helpful with Reading (where you can better understand what type of passages they usually do and how much you need to read into the passages) and English (where the grammar questions really are tricky until you understand why they wrote them that way.)</p>
<p>I recommend using Barron’s study books - they were the most useful for me.</p>
<p>I have already finished Barron’s ACT 36. I found it very useful. However, I am unaware of other ACT course oriented books by Barron’s. I have heard Kaplan is useless, so I don’t want to waste my time on that. And thanks.</p>
<p>I honestly prefer the official tests to any of the Barron’s ones. I found the Barron’s tests to be unnecessarily difficult and far from accurate when it comes to predicting what the real test would be like. </p>
<p>English is difficult to improve because a lot of it comes from your daily experience, but if you review enough of the grammar rules you can probably get a handful more right, which would bring you safely up to the 34-35 range. As far as reading goes, I raised my score by speed reading magazine articles and quizzing myself on how well I remembered them at the end. For ACT reading, you need to be able to read fast AND absorb everything that you read. You could always try reading the questions first if you’re consistently running out of time.</p>
<p>About English, the first time I took the ACT I got a 25 on English and the second time I got a 34. So it’s definitely possible to improve one section if you focus on it.</p>
<p>That’s the sad part about ACT. Most questions refer to the whole passage, so one not only needs to be aware where everything is but also needs to remember the theme, tone and crux of the passage .</p>
<p>Do as many practice tests as possible. Don’t limit yourself to just one or 2 books.</p>
<p>Yeah I hope practice tests would be a big help. Thanks. :)</p>
<p>By the way, there is a Barron ACT in addition to the ACT 36. Barron’s always get you a little bit over prepared, which is good. Kaplan is on the easy side, but I would not avoid that either. Just do as many practice as you can. There are at least 5-6 big prep books available in the market (or your local library).</p>
<p>Is Barron’s ACT just practice tests or course oriented? I think I’ll do the official practice tests and McGraw Hill. If Barron’s ACT is course oriente then I might consider buying it. They have some great tips.</p>
<p>Beware of the McGraw Hill, there are many errors in their math.</p>
<p>Really? Then what should I do?</p>
<p>Just don’t trust their Math answers. 
I found at least a few questions that gave have conceptual mistake in the answers.</p>
<p>Yeah. One more thing: I don’t really get time at home to sit down an do a complete one sitting practice tests. Instead, I do timed sections. Like I do 2 timed sections in the morning and the next 2 at night or so. I don’t think it’s the correct way to prepare but I really can’t think of any other alternative(s)</p>
<p>I just checked the Barron’s ACT prep book, it is course oriented with reviews and also some practice tests. Doing timed section practice would help, however, it would not give you an accurate assessment of your current scores. You would not perform the same in the third section after 2 hours of exam. My suggestion is that you may go one section at a time during the week, but do full timed test in the weekend. So you can check at least once a week your progress. Check how many practice tests you have and save some for full timed tests. My daughter went through 20+ practice tests. She actually just spend an hour or two to go through some questions and answers everyday without checking the time. Actually, she usually finished a section before the time ends anyway. Then, she did full timed practice in the weekend.</p>
<p>I have bought McGraw Hill’s. I am almost through the red book and then I will finish McGraw Hill’s. I stay at home these days so I should be able to do practice tests and evaluate myself. Any other tips?</p>