How do I recreate the magic that got me a 35 on the reading?

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
1

I am a math and science kinda person. Every book I have read for fun has been about mathematics, programming or technology. Outside of that I hate reading.

So you can imagine my surprise when my subscores came back as
31 English
34 Math
35 Reading
31 Science

And when the more detailed score report came back it revealed I only missed one. This is quite different from how I felt I did on the test.

I went through my preparation notes and basically nothing. No notes of a new strategy that changed the course of my ACT reading grade. Apparently, I did not practice for that section between my 1st and 2nd test.

In my post-test journal I wrote:
“Really shaky, accuracy may be down
But I did read all 4 passages
Timing was difficult”

Before the test I had no hope. I was expecting something around a 20 especially after I took a practice test the night before and failed MISERABLY. I came in accepting my fate as one who failed the ACT reading… Apparently not.

This Saturday I hope to increase my math and science scores for super scoring. However I also need to get a reading score that makes it believable that I got a 35 out of pure skill.

Unfortunately I have been trying to recreate that score since. I have taken 4 practice tests and gotten a score of around 32 when given 40 mins, 27 when given 34 mins, and 24 when given 30 minutes (I switch pens at each of these times). Each time time kills me, by the 30 min mark I am in the middle of reading the last passage, and I am also nervous and inefficient, not to mention the fact that I usually skip 4 questions in other passages because they take too long to solve. It takes me a full extra 5 minutes to get everything done and that does not include bubbling.

Another problem is I am out of material. I believe I have taken every one available online, and I only have one test in the official ACT prep booklet left.

Any tips? Did you have a breakthrough that allowed you to time things better? Any similar stories? Suggestions?

2

Don’t take it again. Your math and science scores are excellent. What was your composite?

3
  1. The problem is I am looking at some science schools and even if their average ACT is around 33 a lot of times I have found the average ACT for computer science to be SIGNIFICANTLY higher. Take for example Carnegie Mellon, MIT, UC Berkley, UW Seattle to name a few. I am just really really nervous about admissions. CS is my dream.
4

It can’t be “significantly” higher. The highest score is 36. You got a 34 in math. You’re done. A 33 composite with a 34 in math is not going to keep you out. In fact, a “science” school might like that you’d contribute to bringing up their Reading subscore average. Start working on your applications.

5

“Outside of that I hate reading.”
OP, with such a negative attitude, be prepared for not recreating the Magic that got you a 35 on Reading.

But if you change your attitude about Reading, you just might get close enough to R35 again. Then let the other scores go up to compensate.

6

I figured it out: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/1929628-my-strategy-for-the-act-reading.html#latest Just in the nick of time too!
Thanks for the encouragement!