How to go about studying for the Math portion of the ACT

Test Preparation
1

<p>Hello,
I'm a junior and I've completed the ACT twice now without any prep courses or studying. The last time, on the December test, my scores were as follows...</p>

<p>Cumulative- 27 (+1)
English- 33 (+2)
Reading- 32 (+1)
Science-27 (+3)
Writing- 8 (-)
English+Writing- 30</p>

<p>and, last but certainly least</p>

<p>Math- 17. Yes, a 17.</p>

<p>All my life I've been absolutely horrendous at math. I had to re-do the 5th grade because I was completely incapable of keeping pace with the rest of the grade. Even now I'm behind and the highest math course I've completed is Algebra II. I'm currently taking a Geometry class in which I've managed to get away with low Cs. </p>

<p>Basically, how do I study for the math test when I'm so awful at the subject? Taking practice tests, I don't even know how to do some of the Pre-Algebra problems. I very easily forget mathematical concepts and anything that I learned longer than a week ago, no matter how hard I studied it, will be forgotten. </p>

<p>I attempted to do some preparation prior to the December test by going through a practice Math test with my teacher. I circled the questions I didn't know how to do and she explained the process of solving the problems to me. It helped me a little bit, as I was refreshed on certain topics I forgot like sine and cosine. However, going over the test, even with help, was very overwhelming. I was circling nearly every question. Even after the prep, my score went down one point from an 18 to a 17. </p>

<p>Are there any online guides/books that don't just review the format of the test but also offer information on the concepts needed to solve the actual problems?</p>

<p>Though it's not my strongest area, I'm very interested in a career that involves science. So, predictably, I'll need higher math scores. I'm not worried about raising my science scores. </p>

<p>Sorry if any of this didn't make sense! Thanks in advance. </p>

2

<p>Ever been evaluated for a learning disability in that area? Seriously, that’s a very big gap–kind of late in the day to investigate, but it’s honestly something I’d consider.</p>

<p>Also, if you’re scoring that low, I’d worry way less about sine and cosine and way more about pre-algebra and algebra. Bottom line, studying helps. Yes, there are people who go up without studying (and they all seem to post on CC). But in general there’s a strong positive correlation between study and score improvement. Why assume you’re going to get lucky?</p>

<p>There are test prep books out there that offer explanations for the correct answers. Get your hands on one and go through a few tests. Doesn’t the official ACT guide w/the practice tests (red book) including explanations? Pretty sure Princeton Review’s does also. Good luck…</p>

3

<p>SAT math questions are formally split into 5 Levels of difficulty. I like to do the same for ACT math questions. If you are looking at an actual ACT, then a (very rough) way to do this is to consider the first 12 questions Level 1, the next 12 Level 2, and so on up to Level 5. </p>

<p>Now for each of the 5 subject areas figure out which Level you’re at. The 5 subjects are:</p>

<p>Number Theory
Algebra and Functions
Geometry
Probability and Statistics
Trigonometry</p>

<p>So for example, do 5 Level 1 Number Theory Questions. If you get them all correct move up to Level 2. If you get most of the Level 2 Number Theory questions wrong, then you should continue to practice Level 2 Number Theory questions until you are getting most of them right. Then move up to level 3, etc. Do this independently in each of the 5 subjects, cycling through the subjects each day. For example, on Monday practice Number Theory, on Tuesday practice Algebra, and so on. Clearly mark off all questions you get wrong.</p>

<p>When you come back to Number Theory on Saturday (or Friday if you want to hold off on Trig for now), begin by redoing all the problems you got wrong on Monday.</p>

<p>Don’t make your focus reviewing concepts - instead review them as you go. If the book you’re using doesn’t explain the concept well enough in the solution, more explanation is just a few keystrokes away on Google. You don’t want to waste time reviewing concepts that only show up on Level 5 Number Theory questions when you’re still at Level 2 - now that’s a waste of time.</p>

<p>If you have a few months before your test, practice for 10 to 20 minutes a day.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>