<p>Hey...i'm QUITE frustrated right now.
I took the ACT in april, got a 29 composite with my weakest sections in Science and Reading (26,25 respectively)</p>
<p>I've pretty much gone through PR 1296, and my reading is NOT improving from test to test. At times i test myself, at times i just aim for accuracy..but overall, my scoring isn't getting anywhere. Same with science. (Well, i know PR 1296's science is really difficult...but still...)</p>
<p>I know the only way i can get better is practice, practice, practice...which i'm obviously doing. With little to zero signs of improvement...</p>
<p>has anyone felt like this before but ended up with better than expected scores on the actual test?? ugh....</p>
<p>(PS, i studied the real ACT book for the april test, I didn't really have that much prep for that test...but i'm spending this whole summer prepping for the september one. I'm going through the real ACT book again this time around, and my scores in reading and science are slightly better..but i think thats only because i've done them before, and i sorta recognize the questions...)</p>
<p>The ACT web site informs that approx 20-30% of those who retest score the same composite. The “curves” assigned to each section vary with what they determine are the more difficult and easier sections…so it is often hard to predict. If you are applying to a college that superscores the ACT, perhaps focus only on the reading and science sections to increase those scores, and then submit your prior scores from the english and math for admissions. If they do not superscore, then practice with the content and timing is the optimal way to attempt a higher score, but then acceptance that you may have peaked is needed if you still achieve the same…keep in mind your overall compositie is excellent for many fine colleges and universities.</p>
<p>Well, I really don’t think that you have the right mindset.</p>
<p>Nobody would improve if they didn’t have confidence. You just have to believe you can.</p>
<p>Really look at what you are getting wrong and why. Also, consider reading more.</p>
<p>if you know any kind of ACT couch/tutor (working for me) I strongly recommend. I used to not be able to do the science at all, but I was just taught to do very well.</p>
<p>I am serious about reading more. I have read for hours a day all summer, and when I went to try some ACT reading practice it was suddenly MUCH easier.</p>
<p>^Yes, if you aren’t learning anything from taking the tests you aren’t going to improve.</p>
<p>Is their any specific reason why your reading score isn’t improving? Is it time, or the questions, a combination of both?</p>
<p>Time is just a practiced thing but if it’s the questions, you need to figure out why your missing the problem and what kind of problem it is.</p>
<p>I didn’t study anything in between two tests I took in 07 and got a 28 on the first of the two then dropped to a 26 afterward–so yes, if you aren’t improving it’s because you aren’t learning from prior mistakes. Your score will stay the same or fluctuate ±2 points or so at this point unless you do something to change. For me, after some good schooling practice I was able to get a 32 this year.</p>
<p>I felt the same way with the SAT back too. I took like 12 CR practice tests and never changed my score. Now i’m going back retaking them, and learninf from my errors. I never took the time to figure out what I got wrong back then. That was my problem. I also didn’t really care. You need the mindset too.</p>
<p>^^ same!! i went through the blue book…my score did not increase. thats why i kinda gave up on the SAT…</p>
<p>on reading, time has become less of an issue…it’s more maybe of my comprehension??
idk, could you elaborate more on how to “learn from your mistakes”</p>
<p>well, you want to just work on understanding and reading faster so that you can proof your self longer, leading to better accuracy, leading to better scores.</p>
<p>Let’s say in the reading part, generally questions fall under a specific type (main idea), etc or whatever. When you correct your test, you need to think about it, come back to it sometime later and try to logically consider what makes the right answer better then yours. Find some proof in the essay or come up with a fault in it (devil’s advocate).</p>
<p>If you make a mistake on the math, because maybe you didn’t notice it was a isosceles triangle or something, pay more attention next time on similar geometry problems, etc.If you saw an algebra question that could only be solved via factoring (infamous (x-y)^2)), make sure you factor you see something that can be factored.</p>
<p>Science is I don’t know… It reminds me back of the SAT more then any other section. I’m still trying to find a way to get better at this one.</p>
<p>^? You need to analyze incorrect answers. Sure, I mean a question with a direct fact doesn’t need to be looked over so much, but those are the easier questions most of the time anyway.</p>
<p>I’m in the same situation you are, but I got a 27 composite on the June ACT (33 M, 27 E, 25 S, 21 R, 9 Essay).
I’ve always been terrible at reading, and I honestly don’t know what to do to improve. I’m thinking about just getting the highest scores I can for the other three sections and winging the reading section.</p>
<p>k, so i’ve basically exhausted the redbook (redoing tests for like the 3rd time), the PR 1296, cracking the ACT…</p>
<p>…i’m hesitant w/ barrons…but thats the next best thing, yea? so…i should get Barrons 36; Barrons ACT english reading writing; Barrons ACT Math and Science</p>
<p>are these books good? and in what way are they good? are they harder than the real thing?</p>
<p>to be honest, barron’s may be hard for you at the moment considering your present scores…I think barron’s is mainly for those who are already up there in their scores (31+ let’s say) and are simply trying to glean as much as possible in order for them to shave a few more points</p>
<p>however, if you have already completed all other review books (the red book, the new ACT guide, princeton, etc.), I recommend getting the kaplan book. This one really emphasizes on reading in my opinion as the passages are SLIGHTLY more on the difficult side which, if you can master them, will help you greatly on your reading during the real test</p>