How can I improve my act score?

Test Preparation
1

<p>I'm a sophomore, and I'm depressed at my poor act score.</p>

<p>English : 22
Math : 35
Reading : 21
Science : 24 (It was really time consuming!)
Composite : 26</p>

<p>Science.. The time limit was killing me! I was out of time and left one and a half passages.. </p>

<p>However, my biggest concern is about English and Reading..
I have no clue what to do..... Can anyone suggest me anything????</p>

<p>I really need some detailed advise about how to prepare, practice..etc.
Pleeeeeeeeeze help me!</p>

2

<p>The ACT is a killer...Why not try the SAT? The science on the ACT is soooo time compressed.</p>

3

<p>Well, I took psat and got 171.
Critical reading : 36
Math : 80
Writing skills : 55</p>

<p>Either psat or act, reading is my weakest section.. I'm depressed.. any suggestions..?</p>

4

<p>get some act practice books and use them to work on your work-rate.... try to work faster and faster once u've figured out hte questions..</p>

5

<p>...wow 36??????</p>

<p>read some books..... or something, 36 is like 1/5 of the problems right.. wow</p>

6

<p>yeah, I know it's REALLY LOW..;; I got 13 out of 48 questions at psat CR..
Which is absolutely NOTHING..</p>

7

<p>are you a non-english spkr?</p>

8

<p>English is my second language, but it's been a while I came to US, and I have no problem listening or speking English. Also, I'm getting an a in my Regular English class. It's just English or reading section in SAT or ACT reading killing me.</p>

<p>*p.s.
Just for curiosity, what's BUMP mean?</p>

9

<p>it moves the post to the top of the list</p>

<p>how long have u been here?</p>

<p>read read read!!!</p>

10

<p>It's my second year here in US.</p>

<p>What kind of books should I read?
novels? magazines? sat&act prep books?</p>

11

<p>
[quote]
English is my second language, but it's been a while I came to US, and I have no problem listening or speking English. Also, I'm getting an a in my Regular English class. It's just English or reading section in SAT or ACT reading killing me.

[/quote]

You don't see 360V/800M among native English speakers, though ypu might see the opposite.. I suggest you ask your guidance counselor about whether you should take TOEFL.</p>

12

<p>What grade are you in? Reading is generally a long term method of studying.</p>

<p>You should check your score report to see which section you need to improve more in (critical reading or vocabulary). If you are a junior or younger, I would recommend subscribing to the Economist. I have not done so yet, but I heard that it is wonderful for prepping because it has good vocabulary words and would improve reading comprehension. Good luck! You should be able to boost your score with a little practice.</p>

13

<p>I'm a sophomore right now.
Thanks a lot yemaya13 and all of u guys for suggestions.
By the way, I already took TOEFL, however, I still have to submit sat or act.</p>

14

<p>
[quote]
You should be able to boost your score with a little practice.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I wonder about that....Over a few years, maybe....But it's an intentionlly tricky test, and a recent immigrant might not pick up all the vocab and rhetorical nuances needed to answer the Qs. You have a better shot at the ACT, which is less vocab oriented.</p>

<p>You might post on the international board to see how others handle it.</p>

15

<p>Another quick question.
Should I focus on ACT or SAT?
My ACT score was
English : 22
Math : 35
Reading : 21
Science : 24
Composite : 26</p>

<p>and my psat score was
36/80/55/171 (c.r./math/writing/total)</p>

16

<p>rami. see my last post, above your last one,,,</p>

17

<p>The ACT is something that you can improve with practice, and the good part is you only send the tests you want. You can take it 5 times and only send 1 test. It is hard on the SAT to bring up verbal and the SAT is harder then the PSAT because it is longer. I would try both again and then make a decision. Get some tutoring as well, you do not need to hire an expensive tutor as it is not stratergy as much for the ACT just lots of practice and improving speed. Good luck!!</p>

18

<p>I believe that you should try the ACT again. You will most likely improve the next time you take it. I only took it twice, but i improved 2 pts from my first to my second test.</p>

<p>You should really get a Princeton Review book for the ACT or SAT or both. It will help you out on all the parts of the tests, and it has lotsa of practice tests with explanations. That is the best way to get better. Do as many problems as you can, and in time, you will have no problem getting a 30+ on the ACT or 1300+ on the SATS.</p>

19

<p>Thank you all :)</p>

20

<p>The thing with science is you need no knowledge of science to do well, you just have to be able to read the graphs. During the break, have a snack and some juice or something and relax. Discussing how hard the test is with others won't make it any easier!</p>