I’m aiming for a 36 on the ACT in February.
I’ve been doing practice tests, but my scores have varied.
What are the best practice books/study strategies that you recommend?
From everything I have heard, plus my own and friends’ experience studying for the Bar exam back in the day, working multiple choice problems by the hundreds is the way to go—practice tests are great, but use an online test bank and just do question so over and over as well. When you find subject areas that confuse you or you simply do not know, then take time out to read review materials. I would advise against studying by memorizing or reading materials in a generic sense—it is way too late in the game for that, instead focus only on studying areas that test questions reveal you are deficient in.
Use official ACT practice tests. Find an ACT compliant watch to time practice and then also use it for actual test. Although you should try to do at least one full length practice test it is also good to do one section at a time. After each practice, go over each wrong problem and make sure you understand what went wrong. Week before test, slow down on studying and focus on getting good sleep, eating well, managing stress. DS took an online ACT prep course and had practice scores of 31/29/31. Started using above technique and practice scores went up to 34/35 range. Took December test and scored 36. Good luck!
My D did a 5 week self boot camp. You need a number of practice tests that you can find online. She did a section each day M-F and worked out anything that she missed and then on Saturday she did a complete test just like the real thing getting up at the time she would the actual day and eating/drinking the same thing. DW administered and timed the tests on Saturday. The 5th Saturday was the real test and she made a 36.
@Dolemite Wow, that is very impressive. How did she manage her homework in addition to the 35-60 minutes it takes to complete each section? Did she just prioritize ACT above homework, or did she finish it all and sleep a little later than usual?
@mountainmomof3 Congratulations to him! Did he use any specific practice books?
@xivydreamsx he did the Kaplan online prep course but felt like their practice tests were very different from official practice tests — especially for reading and science. He found official ACT tests online and used those. He felt the more recent ones more closely matched his December test. He put in a lot of time and was able to go into the test feeling like he had prepped as much as he could. Good luck!!!
@Dolemite What was her score before her bootcamp?
My S19 is doing the same thing. I have a bunch of practice test and he does a few sections here and there depending on homework load. For instance, yesterday he did two sections and today he’ll do two sections (well hopefully…snow day and he’s home alone). On the weekend we’ve done full tests. I found and printed the official tests from several years and he’s currently using the Official ACT Book (red one).
Can anyone recommend a good compliant watch/timer?
@MAandMEmom my DS19 used an inexpensive casio watch off of amazon. It has a mute setting and made no sounds.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003DZDYMU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I’ll add as a caveat: While both these watches are allowed, that does not mean that the proctor will allow them. Your kid can argue the point (perhaps to no avail), or just use an analog watch.
Similar to the above, but as another option:
https://www.amazon.com/Casio-AE2000W-1AV-Silver-Tone-Multi-Functional-Digital/dp/B003DZ7VVK
Thanks all! I will be swiping Order Now.
I have gotten a 34 on my past 2 ACT tests and a few of my practice tests. I really want a 36 but I don’t know how to get past this frustrating wall. My scores for my latest test are below:
English-35
Math-36
Reading-33
Science-32
@chatessepisut I think a 34 is great and that was the goal for DS19. His lowest practice tests sections were reading and science. He focused on taking as many timed practice section as he could in those areas. He ended up with a 36 on his official ACT with Reading and Science at 36 and Math and English at 35. Good luck but remember a 34 is great and taking the official test too many times doesn’t look good to some schools.
@chatessepisut maybe consider getting the book – For the Love of ACT Science. I bought that for my son and I want to think it has helped him develop some strategies.
at some point re taking and re taking will look bad to AO if you apply to a school that requires all scores. I doubt that the reason you will not get in is because you scored a 34 and not a 36.
I just took the December and got a 36 composite. I got 2 books: the official ACT practice and the reading section by Erica Meltzer. I probably did around 6 practice tests and recorded every wrong answer in a notebook along with an explanation of why I got it wrong. Meltzer does a very good job explaining but her books are subject-specific and not that cheap so I would say get books for your worst sections by her
Sorry for the delay.
My D took the early September ACT (2016) and her school didn’t start until the Wednesday before the test so there weren’t any Homework concerns.
@pl215382 It was her one and only try. She made a 33 on a diagnostic test.