<p>Well, I have a composite score of 20 the first and second time! So, can you guys give me some helpful tips about how to raise my scores?
English-15
Math-22
Reading-19
Science-22
Writing-8 out of 12
Combined English/Writing-17</p>
<p>for Math:</p>
<p>buy an algebra book, a geometry book, and an algebra ii book. read and do problems. </p>
<p>for English:</p>
<p>study a grammar book and start reading newspapers, books, anything you can get your hands on.</p>
<p>for Reading:</p>
<p>buy practice books and do sections of Reading from there. this part depends largely on your natural abilities, so i can't help you much there.</p>
<p>for Science:</p>
<p>same advice as Reading. this part also depends mostly on your smarts.</p>
<p>for Writing:</p>
<p>study essay formats from prep books and practice with writing prompts. </p>
<p>very low scores, you should have paid attention in school and not been lazy.</p>
<p>Is 21 the average score though?</p>
<p>It is, but are you content with that?
Did you use a prep book to get that score? If not, you should consider buying or borrowing one. Force your way through the thing and get as much practice as you can</p>
<p>How dare you attack ??? like that? Everyone does not make 30+ on their first time like alot of people on the board? That does not make them lazy! I made a 20 the first time, a 22 the second time, and I'm planning to take it again in Dec. Does that make me lazy? NO! I felt very offended by your comment!</p>
<p>I don't think he was meaning to attack anyone. ??? doesn't appear to be content with his score considering that he's asking for suggestions on how to improve it. I don't see how what vc89 is said is in any way an insult. </p>
<p>vc89 also did not say anyone was lazy. He was just saying that if ??? hasn't already used a prep book, using one should help him get his score up higher. If you have used a prep book, his comment obviously does not apply to you.</p>
<p>Didn't mean to attack anyone, but what I think (or hope) Afftene was reffering to was Mech's comment at the end of his post.
But really, the only way to get around this is practice. I think MechRocket's suggestion on getting several different textbooks is a bit over the top; if you have at least some kind of grip on the stuff, prep books should prepare you enough. If you plan to buy the books, make sure to get the ones with more than one practice test. Time yourself on each test. Each book changes its practice tests in each yearly edition.. if you want more practice, hit the local library; they usually have several older prep books.</p>
<p>with those scores, ??? has no grip whatsoever.</p>
<p>
[quote]
How dare you attack ??? like that? Everyone does not make 30+ on their first time like alot of people on the board? That does not make them lazy! I made a 20 the first time, a 22 the second time, and I'm planning to take it again in Dec. Does that make me lazy? NO! I felt very offended by your comment!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>so you're telling me you're not lazy with schoolwork?</p>
<p>
for English:</p>
<p>study a grammar book and start reading newspapers, books, anything you can get your hands on.
</p>
<p>For English, I recommend The Elements of Style. It's available freely on the internet. Just Google for it.</p>
<p>If you can afford it and still have time before application deadlines, take the ACT a few more times. Pay a lot of money to take a prep class like Princeton Review. Prep class may motivate you to work more, because you paid money.</p>
<p>???, I think it is great that you posted your question on CC. The following comment:</p>
<p>"very low scores, you should have paid attention in school and not been lazy"</p>
<p>shows a lack of empathy on behalf of mechrocket, so just ignore him/her. </p>
<p>It is important to try to relax during the test. Taking practice tests will give you confidence. Are you taking the test again on Dec 9? Buy several review books, do the problems, and take lots of practice tests. Don't go out and buy an algebra book.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you, but since I'm a senior and I didn't realize about the deadline for the December test so should I still retake it in February even though it is after the colleges' applications deadline! I guess being a 2nd generation American and speaking Vietnamese fluently just fill up my mind! Thank you for the support, you guys! I love positive criticism as well as negative criticism! Note:There are some colleges that don't count ACT/SAT scores into their admission requirements anymore!</p>
<p>???, also strongly consider community college for a year or two if you feel that you still need to focus on the basics. They are very reasonable cost wise, and if you do well, you can get into nationaly ranked university or college. Your goal should be to get straight A's. There is no shame in not going directly to a four year school, and you will save lots of $$$ in tuition and room and board!</p>
<p>Good luck with whatever you decide!</p>
<p>I scored a 21 the firs time and jumped to a 24 last test. Now I am aiming for a 26/27 for the next test.</p>
<p>My advice... I jumped points doing this.</p>
<p>Read the paragraphs for English, when I just did the questions...I scored lower.</p>
<p>Math...take your time. On this test for us who suck at math, don't worry about speed. Just do as much as you can.</p>
<p>Reading...haul butt on this. I read a novel a week before the test. Scored a 30 on the section. Read read read. Skim the prose section if possible.</p>
<p>Science...this test is a crapshoot. Last test I guessed 20 of them and got a 24 on the section. Underline the objective of the experiment and briefly look at the graphs and move on.</p>
<p>10 on my essay. In a way the ACT asks us to write editorials or at least a persuasive piece. My advice is to not even look at the ACT prep guide in order to do well on this section, come up with a hook sentences, plan 3 pts - think about what you want to say...don't write...no time, write, 5 paragraphs at least...and if time is remaining check your grammar in the first paragraph!</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Oh by the way Mech, some of us didn't have the money to pay for test prep. And some of us decided to do study abroad programs and attend 3rd world schools - where we couldn't study for the ACT. Grow up.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Oh by the way Mech, some of us didn't have the money to pay for test prep. And some of us decided to do study abroad programs and attend 3rd world schools - where we couldn't study for the ACT. Grow up.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>lol. i didn't pay for act test prep nor did i even study for it. i took it on a whim (i live on the west coast where we take SAT) to see how smart i was and it looks like i'm pretty damn smart: 34. not bad without doing any studying at all eh? and i also got a 2300 on SAT. :)</p>
<p>Such egotism! I can't help but smile at how, in attempting to assert your intelligence, you completely failed to address any of nickdechile's points. Oh the irony.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Such egotism! I can't help but smile at how, in attempting to assert your intelligence, you completely failed to address any of nickdechile's points. Oh the irony.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>clever clever. nick had points? he was dissing me plain and simple; don't make it seem like he was presenting some grand argument or something. it's an online forum. jeez. pretentious people. psh.</p>
<p>you sound like you're trying to pass as something you're not. don't be like that, it's annoying. as for me, i don't care if i come off as a male genital part, because i am exactly that.</p>
<p>Such egotism! I can't help but smile at how, in attempting to assert your intelligence, you got a 32 on the act when mechrocket here got a 34 without styding. Oh the irony.</p>