<p>Hi, I'm currently finding it extremely difficult to find efficient study guide books and methods to raise my ACT my score. Does anyone have any study tips or study guide books that could help me improve my score? My first ACT that I took the beginning of my freshman year was a 22(E:24M:24R:19S:21) and i also took it June 2012(end of my sophmore year) and i got a 26(all 26 except science:24) with about a week of studying. I also took it in October 2012 and I scored a 27(E:30M:28R:26S:24); I only studied the english and math sectons. I was hoping for at least a 28 and I believe I could have gotten that if it wasn't for the stupid cold I had. I even had to leave the testing room for about 5 minutes during the math section. Do any of you guys have some tips,methods, or plans for me to try to get at least a 30? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>In my opinion the ACT simply tests how well you take it.</p>
<p>I went from a 21 ACT to a 32, and I’m expecting higher. And being sick does have a strong effect.</p>
<p>27(E:30M:28R:26S:24)</p>
<p>From seeing that you’re a sophomore, I would suggest to focus on acquiring knowledge. Too many people think practice tests alone will improve your score ~ they simply increase your knowledge (ignoring the reading & science sections).</p>
<p>If you are dedicated enough, a tip that would help you get ready for the ACT science section would be to prepare for the following:
*Sat Chem II - Or AP
*Sat Biology II - Or AP
*Sat Physics II - Or Basics
*Basics of geology, astronomy, and meteorology</p>
<p>While doing the above seems like complete over kill, it will tremendously prepare you for the ACT science as you will have background information, preventing almost any chance of content “confusion.”</p>
<p>For reading, DONT fall for the trick of reading NYtimes articles. Just read quality literature.</p>
<p>For English, you might not even need much preparation as if the literature you’re reading has correct grammar, you will improve over time. I’m assuming you score lowest in the rhetorical section? If you do, then practice tests would help. If it’s grammar (the easiest to improve upon), just keep reading away.</p>
<p>For Math, just spam away at practice tests. Be sure to put in a journal the specific types of problems you are getting wrong (matrices, probability) etc. That way you can learn the specific problem type in depth, allowing you to solve it in different situations.</p>
<p>My improvement might be a little unfair to speak about, as in the past I couldn’t even discriminate between “your” and “you’re.”</p>
<p>MAJOR TIP - Simple mistakes:
Tell yourself there is no such thing as a simple mistake! Too many people complain about having many simple mistakes when they are simply careless (they assume without proving).</p>
<p>The people who are scoring poorly on the ACT are probably the same people who are scoring poorly on their practice.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the info. It is really thorough and seems to be a great way to help improve my scores. However, I’m a junior at the moment, not a sophmore. I hope I have enough time to improve. However, my school isn’t that great and we dont have lots of advanced classes. I’m going to have to invest in some dual enrollment opportunities soon. How intensely did you study for the act? Do you believe that three months is a reasonable amount of time to get my score up to at least a 30 using the techiques you suggested?</p>
<p>My mistake, I meant to say junior (with the goal of taking your final test senior year)!
Assuming you only studied the math and English sections, three months is by far plenty of time to get a 30.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>