I initially scheduled myself an hour of ACT and an hour of SAT practice each day over the summer, with a full practice test every other week, but I’m quickly realizing that this is definitely a bad idea, especially after scoring 33 on two tests from the official ACT book(which isn’t all that great, but still high enough that I don’t have to go overboard studying). People have recommended that I do one test a month plus a bit of practice ever so often, but that seems a bit too light to me.
What do you mean 33 isn’t all that great? 33 is a great score.
I don’t think you need to take the SAT, unless you are talking about subject tests. I tutor both tests. IMO, the SAT is more difficult. The ACT has the time constraint, so it is by no means easy, but I think you could improve by a point or two easily over the summer with an hour of practice every week. It really depends what you mean by practice. Whole practice tests, or practice on the sections in which your score was weak? And I am assuming you mean for September.
@Lindagaf
Actually, I plan on taking it next April. The date is required by the Missouri state government, and the curve will be a bit more lenient because it’ll be based on statewide results instead of nationwide. And yeah, I’m definitely overstressing over this. I have a very average GPA(3.5/4.3), and this last semester did not end as well as I had hoped, so I was a little out of it when I set my goals. Anyhow, thinking about it some more, I really need to prioritize how I use available tests and problems if I’m meant to make them last until April. One test a month actually sounds pretty reasonable now.
With regard to what I mean by practice, I plan on doing more problems over sections where my score is weak, with a practice test every so often.
Also, I want to take the SAT as well because I need the National Merit scholarships. With my grades, though, should I even bother?
One last thing, do you recommend taking SAT subject tests right after APs or after/during summer break? I’m thinking right after APs would be better.
I recommend taking them after APs. Many students say they are very similar. But why? You already have 33 on the ACT. Your grades are probably going to shut you out of the kinds of schools that require SAT subject tests in addition to your excellent score of 33. Hardly any schools REQUIRE subject tests in addition to the ACT.
I will just be honest. Your GPA is not high enough for tippy top schools. Even if you do great in NMSQT, you are unlikely to be offered any of the small scholarships because your grades aren’t high enough. Though I suppose if you bust your chops and get straight As you may have a chance.
I don’t see the point AT ALL of you practicing for almost a whole,year for the tiny chance to become a national merit finalist. Fianlists can get a few thousand dollars, and I think there might be a few larger scholarships, but you also have to submit extra essays, teacher recs, and have the grades. You don’t have the grades. If you have to take the test, do, but you HAVE 33 already on the ACT. That’s a great score. IMO, you are going to be wasting many precious hours of your life for not a lot of reward.
Overall, I agree with the advice above. There are better things to do with your time than chase NMSQT! However, the grades are relative to the school. Maybe they’re average, maybe they are good. Only OP knows. A high test score with those grades could still result in merit scholarships, just not the ones the OP mentioned here. I’d stay focused on the ACT and use the time to work on the weakest parts. It sounds like you are going to be a junior. Focus your efforts on your grades when school starts again. A strong junior year with good scores will put you in a good place for college apps.
It sounds like your circumstances are a bit different from mine. Still, I’ll leave my studying schedule here for reference.
I scored 34 on my first attempt (No ACT prep, but SAT tutoring). In preparation for the June ACT next week I did 2 Math sections, 2 Science sections, and one full practice test a week for 2 months. Since APs are over, the last 3 weeks I ramped it up to 8 sections + 2 full tests a week. Obviously, it’s very time consuming but I honestly enjoy doing the practice tests at this point. My goal is to get a cumulative 36.
Among my peers, I definitely study the most for standardized testing; so, as with most things, take my personal habits with a grain of salt.
What is your goal? What type of school are you thinking of applying to?
You will literally spend thousands of hours in high school and you will be evaluated on your GPA. Why not spend a couple hundred hours on the standardized testing and perform as well as you can on this test?
If you think that your goal will be EASILY met with a 30 (you can’t be sure that you will score the same as your practice score on the real test) then roll the dice.
It seems to me that 5 hours a week in the summer is not a big deal but I’m a belt and suspenders guy.
If you are scoring 33 in practice tests why wait until next Spring to take it?? Ramp up your summer study schedule and signup for a test this fall. It’s great to hit your target score and be done with it - if you miss you have more dates to retest.
Given that you seem to perform well on standardized tests I would absolutely try for NMF next year so also do some PSAT/SAT prep. There are schools that offer full rides for NMF and I believe your GPA is fine for many but you need to explore further. These schools may not be tippy top, but as noted above you likely would not get into Tier 1 schools with your GPA. But with NMF, a full ride at Tier 2 is pretty darn good.
@FlaParent
You’re right. 5 hours(well, 10, really since I’m doing both) is definitely reasonable. I think I’ll keep to that plan, actually. My goal is 34+, and I absolutely cannot get complacent.
@my2caligirls
I’m taking it in April because regardless of how well I score on a previous date, I’m required to take it again then, and it’s just another layer of work having to get 34+ two times with months in between.