Haven't started preparing for September ACT, but need to do well

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
1

Hello,

I’m going to be a senior, hoping to at least have a chance at an ivy with few extracurriculars, so I need to do well on my test scores. I’m also brown, so I put down Asian, which people tell me is a -200 on my SAT score, so only adds to the pressure of doing great on the satndardized tests.

I haven’t at all prepared for the September ACT (with writing), as I’ve been away this summer, and won’t be getting back until the 31st ish. I have no idea what I’m going to do, I have no review books, nor have I taken it before. I’ve taken the SAT once, got a 660/800/680(8) CR/Math/Writing(Essay), and I’ve always been pretty lackluster in Critical Reading.

Do you have any advice for me, since I really would love to get a 34/35. I know I can do great on Math, since it has always come naturally to me, and I got the practice math questions in the first 2 sample sections online all right. When I get back, I’ll definitely do the rest of all the sample sections. But, what else can I do to prepare with such little time?

Any and all help/advice/resources are greatly appreciated, thanks!

2

You will still have 10 days when you get back. You have to dedicate yourself to studying to do well, but I gave seen people do it. Some people just work better under pressure.

The best way to study for the ACT is to practice with REAL ACT tests. The 3rd edition of the Real ACT Book (Red Book) has 5 tests to get you started. They are old, but you will get a feel for most of the concepts. Then move on to released tests from 2013/2014/2015. Using the work throughs in the Mike Barrett’s Black Book is also very helpful.

*****DO NOT USE THE WRITING PROMPTS IN THE RED BOOK. Use the materials a at this link instead: http://www.actstudent.org/writing/enhancements/

TIME each practice session to simulate the real test.

English 75 questions in 45 min.
Math 60 questions in 60 min.
Reading 40 questions in 35 min.
Science 40 questions in 35 min

Score your test, and then review only what you got WRONG after each practice session.

I suggest the following schedule:

2 sections each week night/with review for 4 nights/week.

on a Saturday and Sunday take a full ACT test/with review.

Here is a detailed sample schedule to get started, modify it to meet your needs:

Mon: English and Reading sections with review

Tues: Math and Science sections with review

Wed:.English and Reading sections with review

Thu.Math and Science sections with review

Fri: Writing practice

Sat: FULL ACT with review

Sun: FULL ACT with review

Good luck