<p>The October ACT was the third time of me taking the ACT, and which I thought was the hardest. I had taken it twice before, started with a 27, then moved to a 30. I was pleased, as these were decent scores, but the ACT in October brought me down to a 28 :( It really lowered my self-confidence and left me depressed for some time. </p>
<p>And I had been taking practice tests, quite a lot (at least 12). One thing I didn't do which I think would have helped is reviewed the tests seriously. I reviewed them, but it was kind of like I just wanted to get it over with as I was too tired.</p>
<p>But what left me down the most were the Math, Reading and Science scores. I got a 28, 26, and 25 in those sections respectively, which were big decreases from my previous tests and practice tests. Math is my best subject, but my results on the ACT have not shown that. Science hardly made any sense for me, and reading I just ran out of time.</p>
<p>I really want to get at least a 34. Please offer your tips and advice to help me achieve my goal. </p>
<p>I finished the Real ACT Prep book, took all 5 practice tests. I found practice tests online, so I took about 5 of those. I also used Princeton Review for a test and reviewing their strategies, but didn’t like them (they want you to test all the options out rather than just solving the problem directly). Any recommendations?</p>
<p>@elitepwnage
Don’t get too stressed about the October ACT. Apparently a lot of people found that difficult. For extra prep you could try getting the “barrons 6 act practice tests” book or McGraw Hill’s “10 act practice tests book.” Honestly the test taking strategies that these companies advocate don’t work for everyone. Try to develop your own strategies rather than piggybacking off of something that was designed without you in mind.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks a lot! I’ve been trying different strategies but so far don’t have a set one as far as reading and science sections are concerned, will definitely aim to have one by the end of this month. </p>
<p>Btw, if you don’t mind sharing, what did you make on your ACT and what are your tips?</p>
<p>@elitepwnage
I got a 35 on the October ACT (35e, 33m, 36r, 36s +10/33w).
As far as tips go: whatever your strategy is, make sure you are able to finish everything within the time limit. For the English section make sure you know your grammar, especially the comma rules. On math remember your old geometry formulas and watch out for subtle tricks (that’s what gets me on math all the time… and I’m in AP calc BC). On the science and reading sections don’t get caught up on what is being said, just find the answer and move on. Personally I like to skim the reading passages before answering the questions, whereas I do the opposite on science.
Good luck on your next ACT</p>
<p>Thanks a lot! Yes, English I’m actually alright in but Math gets me all the time, and I’m in AP Cal AB. The strategy I’ve been using for Reading is to read the whole passage first and then go to the questions - and by read, I mean read each and every word. It didn’t work for the October ACT, I think partially because they changed their structure. And Science I just go to the questions except on passages that require you to read the viewpoints. So our strategies are pretty similar. </p>
<p>A 35 is really amazing, I have been aiming for a score around that and will once again for the next ACT. Thanks once again!</p>
<p>I also had the same problem. then someone advised me to meditate and do relaxation exercises. So i took some time off, read a few books on meditation, downloaded some apps and began doing affirmations and learned breathing exercises. On the test day, I repeated the exercises, meditated in between sections and repeated affirmations. My score improved by 5 points! The problem is that when we are nervous, our brain can not properly function and reiterate learned information. However, once relaxed, all the information comes much more easily and we are able to focus more. Really look into this! Good luck!</p>
<p>@kansaskid1 - thanks for the tips, will use them.</p>
<p>@tomris - thanks a lot! I think I really need this psychological advice more than ACT tips because it can make a difference as in your case, so yeah I’ll definitely be meditating a bit each day and staying relaxed. It’s when the ACT gets closer is when I tend to get stressed, so thanks once again.</p>
<p>I recommend “Full Catastrophe Living” for meditation techniques. This book takes a more scientific route. </p>
<p>If you want material that’s more spiritual, go with one of Ekhart Tolle’s books.</p>
<p>Also, I have an article titled “eliminating test taking anxiety.” I believe it’s posted on the SAT forum - just do a search. Point number (6) in that article summarizes some simple meditative techniques.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for everything guys, I got a 32! Yes, its not a 36, or even a 34, but I’m pleased with myself and improving over time, in the middle of all this stress and tension. Thanks once again! :)</p>
<p>@kansaskid1 - thanks and good job too! Actually this was my last time so no, I’m not taking it again. Good luck!</p>
<p>And just some advice: use Kaplan’s prep book, it helped me a lot. Do the workouts - very important - and practice tests, and review! I cannot stress how important reviewing is, because that is where you learn from your mistakes. You’ll do well, just keep up the confidence and aim high!</p>
<p>Confidence and focus are key in taking and preparing for the ACT. Chances are you have learned all you need to know to pick the right answer or at the very least make an educated guess. But in order to make the jump from a 30 to a 35 (something i can speak from experience because i have accomplished this feat and have been very depressed because of a low score) you need to remain confident in your abilities and stay extremely focused throughout the whole exam. Candy helped me during breaks to have a small sugar rush to have the energy to focus as well as controlled breathing between questions to realign my focus. Best wishes in accomplishing your achievable goal.</p>