How to get from 29 to 32-33?

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
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<p>My score was:</p>

<p>C:29
E:29
M:35
R:28
S:25</p>

<p>English: My problem is UM. I get around 68-69/75 on the English tests, and almost all(all but one) is due to UM, how can I improve here, what books should I get? I have ACT 36 by Barrons, and it helps a little, but is there a better book?</p>

<p>M: I'm good.</p>

<p>R: I lose focus very easily because I simply do not care about the passages. I did well on the Natural Sciences portion(16) but did poorly on the Arts/Literature(12). How can I read faster? How do I tackle the difficult questions when there seems to be two very correct answers but still can't decide(even when justifying which one can be wrong) which one is correct?</p>

<p>Science: How do you improve, I am good at math, but for some reason, some of the graphs on the ACT look very daunting, usually the ones with the multiple curves or with the lines that don't look like functions that we studied in class.</p>

<p>I am a Canadian and I am trying to get into Cornell. My school isn't highly ranked, I am the only kid in my school taking the ACT to get into a top/ivy league school so I can't study with friends. Which books are helpful, I am looking for non mainstream books such as Pr and Kaplan. However, if there are great books, please share. Otherwise, I would like to know any other tricks, tips, or strategies you guys used, is there a website where I can learn the grammar rules on the ACT?</p>

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<p>Ideally, I am trying to get a 32 in E, R, and S, and a 35-36 in math for a composite of 33.</p>

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<p>bump?</p>

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<p>Do u have any tips for math? </p>

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<p>Is there material you find hard? Or is it time/silly errors? If its time/errors I advise you to do calculations in ur head, try to improve mental math, you dnt necessarily need to 90x45 but u shud kno how many digits and what number the answer shud end in and what not. Math is my strongest subject so it just comes easier to me. I used to practice from this website: cemc.uwaterloo.ca (go to math contest then past contest) but stopped due to the fact that I have to study for this ■■■■. This website helped me improve my thinking and timing. For content I can’t help I never studied for this section, jus one practice section before the test date. Do u have any tips for English, reading, science?</p>

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<p>@16jpatel‌ </p>

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<p>Hi, thanks for the tips. I just get super confused during the last few questions in the 50s, but I’m good with time. As for me my strongest subject it is English. I highly suggest to know all the punctuation, grammar, and common sayings. This is a good site for punctuation <a href=“http://www.thecriticalreader.com/general-grammar-tips/act-grammar/item/265-complete-act-punctuation-rules.html”>http://www.thecriticalreader.com/general-grammar-tips/act-grammar/item/265-complete-act-punctuation-rules.html&lt;/a&gt;. And saprknotes has good grammar stuff. For science do all the data rep. Passages first and then do the expirents and do the arguing scientis last because reading is your weakness. And quickly read the intros in the passages. Then skim each expirements And I’m not good at the reading either. </p>

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<p>Sorry for my ignorance. What do mean by “UM” in English?</p>

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<p>@CATDECAL‌ Usage/Mechanics</p>

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<p>Hi there, you can definitely raise your score if you practice a lot more. The only thing I really did to study was do lots of practice tests. I raised my score from a 26 to a 33 from sophomore to junior year. Part of it was doing a lot of practice, and the other part was the mindset. I also had a problem focusing during the test, but I threw myself in there with a different mindset and was able to raise my score.</p>

<p>For English, I would just do more practice. I can’t help you much here because this was my strongest subject, but the internet is very helpful in explaining a lot of the UM stuff.</p>

<p>For reading, there are lots of speed reading books on the market that can help you read faster. I had one of them, but I ended up ditching it and just worked with the practice tests. You get 8:45 per passage, and I would set my timer for 8:00 minutes and then do passages one at a time. This method really helped me get my timing down so when I took the real test I’d always have a little bit more time. It also affords you a few minutes to spread out for more difficult passages. Focus is extremely important for reading. I underlined anything I saw as important along the way, and when I read a difficult question, I remembered exactly where that information was in the passage. Then I was able to go back and get the answer. Even if two sound correct, one will always be much more correct than the other.</p>

<p>For science, math skills won’t help you at all. It’s all about focusing and for me, timing. There are three types of questions on science: graphs, experiments, and the scientists. Graphs have 5 questions, experiments have 6, and scientists have 7. Again, I would break it up like I did for reading. I set my timer for 4 minutes for graphs, 5 minutes for experiments, and 6 minutes for scientists. This gave me about 3 more minutes to spread out over the whole test. The graphs can be difficult, but writing on them and drawing arrows and symbols can help if you have time. Also, remember that the first two questions for any graph are supposed to be very easy, so if you have a hard time, then you’re thinking too hard.</p>

<p>Anyway, take this all with a grain of salt because this is what worked for me. However, I found these techniques to be pretty effective, seeing as I raised my score 7 points. I had a private tutor, which helped me raise my score 5 points; however, I found my own self studying more effective in raising it the extra 2 points. I didn’t even study for very long, just short, focused sessions a few weeks before my test. I hope this helps you!</p>