I took my first ever ACT on Sept 2015 and got a composite of 30 (E 28 M 33 R 28 S 29). I am really aiming for a 33+ because I would like to attend a competitive school. Prior to taking the Sept test, I studied with the red ACT book and PR’s Cracking the ACT.
And now here I am, not really sure how to approach my studying. I have about a month left to study. I’m not sure which prep books to use. I bought the Barron’s ACT 36, and was wondering if that’s sufficient? I haven’t studied at all since I took the September ACT and am kind of worried right not. Any suggestions/encouragements would be great! Oh and btw, I am currently a junior. (if that matters at all, lol)
I went from a 29->30->31->33. Honestly just address your weaknesses. I focused hard on my weakness (28 Reading) and somehow made it my strength into a 35 Reading on October ACT (honestly think it was good guessing but w.e). The entire week before the October ACT I took one practice test every day, English one day, Math the next, etc. Practice really does help. I mainly used the Real ACT Book to study and the free practice test on their site.
The best way to study for the ACT is to practice with REAL ACT tests. I know you finished the red book, so move on now move on to released tests from 2013/2014/2015.
TIME each practice session to simulate the real test.
English 75 questions in 45 min.
Math 60 questions in 60 min.
Reading 40 questions in 35 min.
Science 40 questions in 35 min
Score your test, and then review only what you got WRONG after each practice session. As sated above this is important so you can identify and learn what you do not know.
I suggest the following schedule:
Take 1 section each week night/with review for 4 nights/week.
Twice per month on a Saturday or Sunday take a full ACT test/with review.
Track your progress!
Here is a detailed sample schedule to get started, modify it to meet your needs: