<p>Title.
I believe i'm a pretty decent test taker. I took the SAT twice with my second score being a 2350, however, on the ACT I scored a 33... By correlation, that's equivalent to a 2180 which is something I'm cringing at (sorry for being snooty :[ i'm just a bit disappointed). I've bought the "Real ACT Prep Guide" and I'm planning to do the tests as soon as my last AP Test is done. Is there anything else I can do to improve my score (like memorize a heinous amount of vocab cards etc.)</p>
<p>I post this on most generic questions like yours. It’s a technique that works for an area in life when properly applied. It’s the best way for a 30+ scorer to improve. </p>
<p>You need the real act guide, the free act pdfs online, and barrons act 36. There are excellent books. follow this guide in depth and the guide link included.</p>
<p>By far, the real tests are better. not only do they accurately represent the test questions but they come with test scoring curves so that they accurately represent your scores.</p>
<p>As for my methods of studying, here goes:</p>
<ol>
<li>Practice makes perfect.
Not a thing exists where practicing doesn’t help. Practice practice practice. I take 3 tests a week. Monday = Eng/Math. Tuesday = Read/sci. And so forth</li>
<li><p>Review mistakes
Always review your mistakes. On each test you must review in detail your mistakes. On the English and Math sections figure out what topic you missed and research it. In math, use the Khan Acedamy online. Just google it. In english refer back to you school books about those comma rules.</p></li>
<li><p>Analyze scores and questions missed for trends in your strengths and weaknesses. This step is difficult and time consuming. However, if you truly want to increase your scores, you MUST do this. There’s recently been studies showing just how much self analyzing can improve you.
For an example, I’ll use my scores. After I had taken 5 practice tests, both real and fake, I did the following:
a. Totaled all my missed questions
b. Added the numbers together per section.
c. Catorgorized missed questions.
I sorted using titles like these: For English: Passage Analysis, Sentance Sorting/adding, Comma Rules
For math: Sin/cos/tan, graphs, etc.
Reading: Passage analysis, details in passage, inference
Science: Details in passage, details in graph, science knowledge
I also added a “dumb mistakes” catagory to all sections
After doing this, I was able to view my weaknesses on a practical level. I found that of all missed english questions, 27% were passage analysis mistakes and 27% were dumb mistakes. These were the biggest percents.
For math, I found that at 46%, my biggest errors were dumb mistakes.
For reading, I found my biggests mistakes were again passage analysis
For science, it was dumb mistakes.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Now that I knew my weaknesses, i could fix them. For dumb mistakes in English, I made myself slow down. For the passage analysis questions, I followed these guidelines: The sentance added must completely fit with the preceding sentance and the one after it. I was able to effectively fix my mistakes.
My previous scores had been: E=34, M=34, R=34, S=29. Total=32.75 =33
After studying my mistakes, I had: E=36, M=35, R=33, S=33 Total= 34.25 = 34
I was one question away from a 35! Very close! I had never gotten a 36E, 35M, or 33S before. My science was a 33 but I only missed two questions.</p>
<p>Now, once you hit a composite 30, it can be very difficult to improve your score. However, my method worked drastically! No matter what your score is right now, if you’re dedicated to improving, this WILL absolutely help!</p>
<p>Well, that was HOW I studied. But WHAT I studied also included techniques and guides. This is one of he best guides content wise. <a href=“Jeandevaches' Guide to the ACT - ACT Preparation - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/act-preparation/1071765-jeandevaches-guide-to-the-act.html</a>
I printed it all out, pinned it above my desk, and studied it before each test.
Use this guide to get a good score. Then analyze yourself to get a better score. Then use this guide again for perfection!</p>
<p>One last thing. Some of my personal tips per section:</p>
<p>English. If you have time read most of the content. It will help with questions about the passage as a whole. Most people don’t have trouble with time on this test. Follow the guide in the link above!</p>
<p>Math: You know it, or you don’t. If you do, don’t go to fast through the first 30-45. That is where most mistakes by students getting 30+ are made. If you don’t know the math, hit your math books! As I said use Khan Acedamy online and the guide above.</p>
<p>Reading: It’s vital you practice until you can read the ENTIRE passage in 3.5 to 4 minutes tops! Use the finger method to speed up your reading. Simply move your finger faster than your eyes. Remembering content is key on this section. You must practice immersing yourself into the story and making it exciting even when it’s not. Pace yourself. You need to be done with each section in 8:45. If your ahead of time always refer back to text for confirmation. Never answer only 5 questions and come back later. You’ll have forgotten so much that you’ll have to reread. This causes timeloss.Only skip ahead if you have NO IDEA what the answers are. And even then guess</p>
<p>Science: Read the short paragraph at the top then hit the questions. Don’t look at the content first. The science test is all about time. Read the questions and as you read them place your fingers accordingly. “Figure 1, bird x at site C produces how many eggs?” Place your fingers onto each part of the figure as you read the question. After this. follow the guide above.</p>
<p>One thing that works for every question is this: “Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.”</p>
<p>In conclusion, if you want to do well on the ACT, you have to commit to it. Slackers are lackers. If you truly want to do well and throw yourself into the prep, the you’ll succeed. Otherwise, no one can help you.</p>
<p>P.S. </p>
<p>Not to change the subject, but can I ask why you are bothering with the ACT if you got a 2350 on the SAT? It seems like you could be using the time doing something more productive. Just submit your SAT score when applying to colleges and be done with that part of the application. Congrats on such a fantastic SAT!</p>
<p>Parents >_> @bjdkin </p>