Hey y’all!
I just took a diagnostic ACT as an incoming junior and scored a 30 with absolutely no preparation (27 Math, 28 Science, 33 Reading, 33 Writing).
I’m aiming for a 35-36 (I know…please no roasts) so I’d like some second opinions on how to improve my study plan.
My study plan is just to do a bunch of practice tests and write down/correct/analyze my mistakes every time. However, I don’t think this will be sufficient. I’m not sure that I’m 100% on all the content- which books should I get?
I’m wondering how i should structure my study plan? Should I just do practice test after practice test? For content, should I just read over each section?
I have 4 months to prepare, and have allotted up to 4 hours a day for ACT prep. I’m just not sure how to use that time.
It all depends on the person. I have friends who studied all hours of the day and could not boost their scores to where they wanted it to be, and others who did not prep at all and ended up with 34-35’s. I’d say take a look at how you study for other things (school tests and such) and figure out what method has worked out best for you. Are you someone who writes out a study guide before a test? Do that. Are you someone who watches Khan Academy before every exam? Do that. Take note on what has worked for you and run with it. Congratulations on your score and I hope you do well!
The Xiggi and Silverturtle methods in the pinned threads at the top of this forum http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/ should work, despite being developed for the SAT.
Ok - I have a little experience with this. My junior kid just did his last ACT and got a 34. His end of sophomore score was a 31. He did prep for a few months before his last run.
I do think 35-36 could be tough. I think getting 2-4 points on each section may be doable. Do you have problems with time? Or concepts? When you look at your wrong answers, does it make sense why they’re wrong?I do think there can be a little bit of luck involved for those top scores. My kid will ceiling everything that is untimed, but the speed/accuracy is hard for him. Old math concepts were problematic for him before a good review.
I will say those top points are really touchy. My kid was pretty consistently getting 34+ on practice math (he was hoping for a 35C) and there were a couple odd problems on the test and he ended up with a 32 in math. The science section is SO touchy for those top scores. I think with 3-4 wrong you’re down below 30. His math and science sections were his lowest too but for a humanities bound kid, he’s happy.
Honestly, I would focus on hard core academics this fall. Maybe do some ongoing math review. Do 3-5 problems a day. Review concepts as needed. We found like this book helpful in that regard …
https://www.amazon.com/Math-Questions-Know-Mcgraw-Hills/dp/0071820175/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1530218019&sr=8-3&keywords=act+math+500
After the holidays start prepping. Plan for about 3-4 hours a week. Use official tests. You can buy the red prep books and there are more tests online you can print (or better yet send to a printer). I’d do 2-3 sections a week and methodically go through your errors. Review concepts as needed. Focus especially on science and math. My kid worked with an (over)paid tutor and this is what they did. They did not do anything magical. I’d shoot for the April test and have the June test in your back pocket if you’re not happy with your score or something goes wrong.