In Need of Tips for Reading and Science

<p>I just finished a practice test from the Red Book and got a 31. </p>

<p>English - 34
Math - 34
Reading - 29
Science - 26</p>

<p>For the reading section, I'm not sure on how to improve my score. The only thing I can think of is to read faster. I feel like I maybe read too slowly. When I got to the last passage, I had 5 minutes left, so I only read the first and last paragraphs (which didn't help) and still ran out of time. I usually do well on the reading section, but I haven't practiced in a while, so now I'm worried.</p>

<p>For the science section, I did perfectly (literally) until I got to the conflicting viewpoints passage. I'm really not sure what to do here. I've read that more than 5 minutes should not be spent on each passage, so I read the questions first and then referred to the passage. This part definitely drained most of my time. Maybe it was just the topic and the questions, but answering just took forever. This was the second to last passage, and I had 2 minutes left, so the last 4 questions were wrong, including the questions I just could not answer with the conflicting viewpoints. The rest of the section was correct.</p>

<p>Does anybody have any tips on these two sections? For science, I need tips specifically for the conflicting viewpoints, though other tips are welcomed.</p>

<p>for the Reading Section Be a Macro Reader… also by each passage write down the main Idea MARK UP YOUR PASSAGE!!! and then go to the questions</p>

<p>Somebody posted this link for me about strategy for the science section on a thread about the ACT test over at the parent’s section of this forum. Here’s the link:</p>

<p>[ACT</a> Test Prep - Science - YouTube](<a href=“ACT Test Prep - Science - YouTube”>ACT Test Prep - Science - YouTube)</p>

<p>It’s a series of youtube videos aimed at helping students understand the science portion of the test. I have it bookmarked for my daughter to look at because she really needs help in this section as well. She hasn’t had a chance to look at them yet, but I am hoping it gives her some tips and insight on how to do well on this portion of the test. Hopefully this will help you a little bit, too.</p>

<p>FYI: Here is the link to the ACT Study Booklet that the instructor refers to when going over the science portion of the practice test during his instructional videos:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.unioto.k12.oh.us/ACTpreparing.pdf[/url]”>http://www.unioto.k12.oh.us/ACTpreparing.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>It may help you to print out a copy of the science portion of the test so that you can read along as he explains how to answer the science questions during his series of instructional videos. Hope this helps you!</p>

<p>Lady Ham if you can find anymore of these from the past years pleas post the they are very helpful to study from because they are real tests.</p>

<p>ACT33or34 ~ I sure will!</p>

<p>Just as PizzaFatFace suggested, speed reading is so helpful. Stay focused as you do this or it will be pointless. I speed read for about 1:30 and then by then I have a feel for the passage and even have memorized where a few key words are. I go to the questions and breeze through. Try to absorb the question and possible answers carefully though because rereading eats up your time. You should be able to finish the passage in 8:30 minutes. It takes practice though. Also, work confidently but NOT carelessly.</p>