How to get a 36 in Science/Reading

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
1

Hey I am taking my ACT for the second time in September. I reallly am aiming for a 34+ score this time. I received a 30 in both the reading and science section last time with minimal studying.

Anyways calling all high Reading & Science people!!! Need to know

  1. How you improved your scores in those sections?
  2. How often did you study? For what duration of time? (i.e. 4 hours a day for 3 months)
  3. Did you feel like you studied enough for the high score or was it a fluke you think?
  4. How often did you do a full length practice test prior to the test?
  5. Do you recommend simply doing a lot of timed practice sections for reading and science?
  6. Any other tips?

THANKS

2

not how much you study, its how smart you study

3

I got a 36 in reading the first time I took it. I averaged like 30/31. I could never do it again no matter how hard I try. The score you get on test day is a combination of a lot of different factors, that not even studying could prepare you for

4

I got a 35 on science in Apirl. Then I got a 29 in science in June. After a lot of studying, for me at least, the problem is making silly mistakes. Make sure you read the questions and answer choices. Don’t assume anything. For example, when they are asking for INCREASING, I made the mistake of doing decreasing. When they asked for 0.2, i misread as 0.02. 90% of my mistakes on practice are silly mistakes. Without them, I get around a 35-36. I don’t know how I do well. Science and reading are not that similar. I get 22 in reading and get 35 in science. For science, it is all about understanding graph and charts.

5

Science and reading are really easy to fluctuate on since the curves are typically really steep compared to math/English. Best way to improve is to focus on getting your speed up through practicing. After enough practice, you’ll be familiar with how much you actually need to read and what part of graphs/texts to focus in on. As you get more comfortable with time, you should make fewer silly mistakes, which are likely the one thing keeping you from a 36 every time.

Practice as much as you have time/enough tests for; there’s no set schedule that guarantees results. Just depends on what you’re willing/able to put in.