<p>Hi guys!</p>
<p>I was wondering if anyone had advice on how to get a 33+ on the ACT.</p>
<p>I recently took the test in June without studying and got a 29. I had a 33 English, 28 Math, 30 Reading, and a 25 science. I got a 10 on my essay. Is it possible to get five point increase in my composite score if I study over the summer? </p>
<p>How did you guys improve your scores? What study books did you use? Any tips for any of these sections?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Math: Work on speed and mechanics. I used an android app called Math Workout, which basically worked on perfecting your mental math. Don’t forget how squaring equations, square rooting equations, trig angles, etc work. When taking the actual test you can’t doubt yourself i.e. using calculator to check that 5 * 9 is actually 45, or going over a question you are reasonably sure you got right, you have to focus on continually moving on to the the next question.</p>
<p>Reading: Learn to speed read and still retain most of the information in the passage</p>
<p>Science: Don’t bother reading what the ACT guys give you, go straight to the questions (except for the differing opinions passage)</p>
<p>English: I only got a 33 on this section so I can’t fully speak as to how to take it, but basically know conventional grammar rules, including punctuation.</p>
<p>Drill. Doesn’t matter what book you use, just run through practice tests over and over. Doing practice tests will help you get the timing down and also make sure you know everything you need to know. I’d say I did at least 5-6 practice ACTs before the real deal, all from different books and sources. Got a 36 composite when I finally did end up taking the real test, up from a 217 PSAT and 32 diagnostic ACT before any preparation or studying, when I didn’t even know the format. So yeah, those practice tests helped.</p>
<p>Use the Barron’s ACT book! It doesn’t just have practice tests in them. For every section, English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing, it has lessons and actually teaches you! My math score went up 5 points after using this book.</p>
<p>I think the key is to not only take lots and lots of practice tests, but also to go back to the questions you missed and really understand what you did wrong. (Some books have explanations of the answers). That way you’ll see patterns in mistakes so you won’t repeat them.</p>