<p>I have the whole summer to improve my ACT score (and get ready for the PSAT as well). After taking a few official practice tests, it seems my score range is between a 33 and a 34. I'm all set with official practice tests (I have about 20 more that I can still take), but I'm wondering if taking them will really help me improve. Only a few of the ACTs I have (the Red Book ones) come with explanations so I don't know how to learn from my mistakes off my ACTs that don't come with explanations. Should I intermix some practice problems from PR 1296 Questions and McGraw-Hill, which both actually come with explanations, or should I continue to stick to with official tests despite their lack of explanations? I've already read some strategy books such as Barrons ACT: 36 so I think I'm pretty set in that regard. Any help with how to go about improving would be much appreciated! Thanks guys!</p>
<p>For reference, my most recent ACT Practice Test score (from the December 05 ACT)-
E: 35
M: 32 (I usually do much higher in this section)
R: 35
S: 31
C: 33.25</p>
<p>Well you have the dilemma of having to study for both tests (PSAT and ACT). I think you’re well off for the ACT if you’re scoring 33s and 34s, so your main priority should be the PSAT because that is a one chance ordeal. You either make NMSF or not. I scored a 219 by studying the Blue Book- if you haven’t bought one yet, now is the time to do it.</p>
<p>^Yes, I actually have both the Blue Book and the Online Course SATs. My SAT score is already in the 2250-2300 range (much higher than needed for NMSF in my state) so I’m more focusing on preparing for the ACT. Since I haven’t actually hard-cored prepared for the ACT yet, I’m confident that I can raise my score a few points (hopefully even to 36). My main dilemma is if I should continue taking official ACTs or if I should look at some questions in prep books that come with explanations. Any advice on that?</p>
<p>Review books are definitely the way to go. My suggestion is to also make some use of Cracking the ACT by The Princeton Review.</p>
<p>^I would actually disagree with that. Since you’re scoring at the 33/34 level, you can’t rely on unofficial practices and study guides to push you to the 35 or 36 that you desire. Books like Cracking the ACT are not made for someone trying to go from a 33 to a 36: it’s evident that you already have your own strategies and what not laid out- now it’s time to refine them by doing as many official ACT practices as possible.</p>
<p>^Hmm ok, but how do I learn from the mistakes I make on those official tests? Most of the official ACTs I have do not come with explanations (except the 3 Red Book ACTs).</p>
<p>Trying to figure out the explanation for yourself will help you in the long run.</p>