<p>So on 3 ACT practice tests, I have scored 33,32, and 33. I have taken each as if it were the real deal. But twice now, I have gone and taken the ACT and have scored a 28 and 29 respectively. Whenever I take the real ACTs I run out of time in all the sections. On the practice tests, I always have at least 5-7 minutes of extra time remaining..What the heck is going on? I just can't take tests well I guess. How can I improve?</p>
<p>What I do for the reading is skim VERY quickly (about 2 mins tops) the whole passage to get the main idea..then go straight to the questions. Science I go straight to the questions as well.</p>
<p>Math and English I'm pretty good at in the first place so I don't know what to tell you for those :</p>
<p>I've heard of people who skim the reading questions before jumping into the passage, and I've also heard of people who skim the passage before diving straight into the text. My approach to different: I read the entire passage before looking at a single question. Of course, there are always a few questions that force you to go back and look at certain sentences in the text. But since Im a fast reader, this hasnt much affected my time, although I always seem to just barely finish. </p>
<p>If I were you, I would mess around with different strategies. Who knows, you might even find one that better suits you. </p>
<p>Does anybody else read the entire passage before looking at the questions? I scored a 35 on the April test using this approach.</p>
<p>be as calm as possible in at the real test. Stress during the test screws you up.</p>