I took the October ACT test and received my scores around six days ago. I scored a 30 composite - (30C) (35E) (35R)
(27M) (21S). Although this is not a terrible composite score, especially for my first ever ACT, I was disturbed by my extremely low science score. On practice tests I had consistently scored in the 26 -28 range – for some reason the science passages on the October test were very difficult for me. In addition, my math score has remained consistent between the range of 27 - 28 on practice tests, thus I was not surprised when I saw the 27 on math. I have never been able to achieve above a 30 on the math section on practice tests. I’m preparing for the ACT in December, so any tips to improve these scores would be appreciated. I don’t have ambitions to attend an extremely competitive ivy league school, but will probably apply to some Liberal Arts colleges such as Washington and Lee, Hamilton, Middlebury, Colgate, Colorado College, Williams, Colby, Davidson, etc. So I suppose realistically I’m trying to score a 32 on this December test.
Another question: I am most definitely a strong humanities student and much weaker in math and science, yet I find math to be extremely interesting, even though I never had any inherent mathematical ability. I am currently getting A’s in Pre-Calc, but many of peers are far more advanced in terms of mathematical understanding. Despite the fact that I’m not naturally good at math, could I still minor in mathematics in college? Would the coursework be very difficult for someone who sometimes struggles with mathematical concepts? I feel as if a good mathematics background, in addition to my skills as a humanities student, would serve me well in the future.
Plan for 5-6 minutes/passage. Skim passage /label graphs for 2 minutes and leave 3 minutes for questions. You must guess and move on after 6 minutes. Remember, there may be an easy question up ahead. Do not run out of time and miss a shot at them. Easy questions count just as much as hard questions.
There is VERY LITTLE actual science knowledge tested on the science on the Test. 3- 5 questions at most. This is Scientific REASONING test. This is a READING test with charts and graphs, but the reading must be done precisely and carefully.
Students struggle in this section for two reasons: 1. this is the last section and most students are tired and 2. because ALL of the material is unfamiliar. In high school, students learn in the opposite manner- they study a concept all week/month and then they are tested on it. You are NOT unprepared just because you do not know nuclear physics, astronomy and geology! Do not be fooled/frightened by scientific terminology. It is there so you PANIC.
Very BASIC science concepts (e.g., gravity, combustion, force, conduction) will be dressed up as hard questions. This is very often seen in the Conflicting Viewpoints section.
LABELS are important. Highlight the descriptions on the X and Y axes of graphs. Make sure you are looking in the right place for the information.Use the RIGHT DATA. There may be up to 3 experiments or three graphs in one “figure.” Figures are always labeled on the bottom and tables are labeled on the top. ACT puts a lot of efforts into the wrong answer. if you are in the wrong graph, chances are you will be fooled because will have an answer choice that matches the error of your ways!
Use ARROWS to mark trends on the graphs and data as simply ”up”and “down.”
Mark high points and low points on graphs, any places data changes (eg. solid to liquid, layers, freezing points) and read any” special notes” embedded in the graphs.
“Despite the fact that I’m not naturally good at math, could I still minor in mathematics in college?”
What a great question. As in other endeavors, you will be “naturally” worse at math than some and better at it than others. This is both 1) true for everyone and 2) out of your control. I’d say you should not look at math as being a single concept, but a composite of elements. As you work towards your potential in the elements, the whole will become clearer. How far you can go with it has yet to be determined, but a math minor (~5 courses) is definitely an option for you if you can establish a good foundation now.