<p>I have a high school GPA of 3.74. I have been struggling with the SAT and ACT tests. My first SAT test was two years ago and I got a score of CR + Math = 870. (Writing section was the beef of my score. I got a 10 on the essay).</p>
<p>I took 3 months off to study for another try. However, my next attempt I received practically the same score, granted I increased my CR by 80 points. Discouraged from the terrible scores, I looked into the ACT test because I heard, "Those who do poorly on the SAT tend to do much better on the ACT." Taking this into consideration, I attempted the ACT last October 2012.</p>
<p>I received a composite score of 18.
English: 20
Math: 15
Reading: 21
Science: 14</p>
<p>Disgusted by my score, I studied for three months before my next attempt (this past February). </p>
<p>I received a composite score of 18. <em>Puts finger against head and pretends to shoot self</em>
English: 22
Math: 17
Reading: 20
Science: 13</p>
<p>Currently I am contemplating whether to take the test again. I have already been accepted to Robert Morris University and Geneva College for the 2013 Fall semester. I also applied for Duquesne University and I will be accepted if I earn a 21 on the ACT. The catch is, unless I can reach a 19 in MATH, Geneva will require me to take a math course on top of my freshman classes. And the scholarship amount from both schools are $6,000 and $7,500. Their bench mark for earning $10,000 is either a 21 on ACT or 1200 (CR+MATH) on the SAT.</p>
<p>I have no idea what to do. I studied my butt off with the Real ACT/SAT Guide during each of the three months, and I still seem to do terrible when I take the actual test. The schools will updated scores/increase scholarship amount until June 2013. Does anyone have suggestions on what I should do? Should I study again for the ACT? How should I study, what are some good pointers I should know/learn?</p>
<p>PLEASE HELP ME! I really would like to not take the math course and be out of at least $4,000 because I can't do better on this test. Any help would be appreciated!</p>
<p>dude you need to memorize english and math information. the ACT tests the same math and english material in different questions. you literally just have to study geometry algebra and trigonometry to get at least 28 on the math section. math + english = information that is tested. reading + science = reading comprehension/aptitude test. i got a 33 comp. 32 english 30 math 34 reading 35 science. math is by far my hardest section. take as many practice tests for math only! focus on one section rather than the entire ACT. literally just take like 5 practice tests and review geometry/algebra/trigonometry concepts for the next few months and take the ACT in June</p>
<p>Thanks man for the reply. Wow… Could we switch brains temporarily so I can get a good score? (Just kidding). Anyhow, what would you suggest I do for studying the Science section? That is the killer of my score, same with the math as well. What do you use to study? Any particular course, or just taking practice tests over and over while being timed? I have a very hard time comprehending the math they test, is there anywhere you know that I can get an overview of the math concepts they test on? I know the Distance, Slope, Midpoint formulas and such. I know how to do Linear Equations, Polynomials, and I know the basic Trig questions. I have a hard time with the harder questions… (Obviously).</p>
<p>this is tricky. science is all about how quickly you can read and accurately interpret graphs and tables. it has almost nothing to do with real information about science. math is my hardest so i can only really empathize with you there. [ACT</a> SparkNotes Test Prep: ACT Math Subjects](<a href=“SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides”>SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides) this is a pretty good quick review of all possible concepts the ACT tests on the math section.</p>
<p>It is very difficult! I received a 14 in mine. I literally panicked and guessed on more than half the section, and I paid for it… How did you get a 35? This just makes me feel soo…■■■■■■■■. So really all I can do is see how good I am at reading and comprehending the graphs at a fast pace for the Science section? Any other good techniques on learning how to read them etc? I really appreciate your help!!!</p>
<p>Could you give me a break down of what I should do for a study plan? Like in a numbered format as such:</p>
<ol>
<li>Take practice tests</li>
<li>Go over math concepts with Spark notes</li>
<li>Eat your greens and run everyday</li>
<li>Frequently watch horror movies</li>
</ol>
<p>Last two I was kidding, I just needed to fill those two numbers in. Thanks!</p>
<p>do you have add/adhd? i have a mild case of both but i am pretty smart so i can control it. however, i take adderall/Dexedrine on days that i have major tests. if you can, take an adderall or something like it on the day of your ACT. you will focus much more. practice tests should be your best friends. take a complete practice test once every 5 days and go over each problem to find out why you got it wrong. look up on google “ACT practice tests” you will be able to find many of them. in 50 days you will have taken 10 tests and go from an 18 to a 24+ i am interested in your story and would like to be of service</p>
<p>That is very encouraging that someone actually cares for my scores instead of dismissing me as, “Wow…Your just stupid, give up!” I am just so beaten from the test scores I have. I have taken 3 SAT tests and 2 ACT’s in the past two years. I feel like I am studying so hard and I know the material and I will at least get a 23 on the test, but then I get my scores back and I am just stunned at how bad I do each time. </p>
<p>My friends just say, “Move on. Thats as good as you’ll get, take the math course and forget the $4000 and going to Duq.” But I really want to succeed on the test and better myself for college in the Fall. And I don’t have either of those, I just have a hard time staying focused and comprehending material while being timed. Im sure the practice tests will help me, considering I’ve only completed 3 in the whole past year.</p>
<p>I have 36’s in English and Reading from this February’s test. I actually only had about one week to study for the test, so I chose to work on those two sections only. For English, I went over grammar rules and tricks in the Kaplan book (so helpful) and did a few practice sections. I’ve always found this section easy though (got a 36 two years ago as well as this past Feb.). You just need to have intuition, which comes from doing practice sections, reviewing the answers, and actively learning the material (don’t just read the prep book, take notes- condense the information into a form you can review often).
For Reading, you should take a practice section. Then, check to see which type of questions you missed- inference, global, function, detail, etc. If you missed the global-type questions, you need to highlight main ideas as you go through the passage, and think about what they mean. If you missed detail questions, just read more carefully and make sure you don’t misread the question.
BTW, practice really does help, but don’t take a bunch of practice tests in only a few weeks. I only did the English and Reading sections of one practice test when I was studying for this year’s ACT, but I try to take a practice test every few months, regardless if I’ve signed up for the test or not.</p>
<p>There are some great ACT (especially science) videos on youtube that might help you read faster. Once again practice makes perfect. It looks like your a senior already accepted to 2 colleges so you have to ask yourself if you want to take it again. I don’t think it would hurt, but there are a lot of studying tools out there. Sometimes people aren’t motivated to study successfully by themselves and need someone else like a tutor to motivate them and direct your studying. You can always look into that.</p>
<p>Thanks guys/gals, I really appreciate the help! One detail you all should know is that I am home schooled. So, you can only imagine how hard it is for me to have the motivation to study hard.</p>
<p>sg12909,
I haven’t quite hit the practice tests as hard as I should/wanted. I have the REAL ACT guide and I studied all the sections, but only took one practice test the week of my test. I haven’t signed up for the next one (I just got done with the FEB test). I have until June to send updated scores.</p>
<p>My only problem is I already sent in my Merit Based Scholarships and they have my crappy SAT/ACT scores so no help there. But, I want to avoid that MATH Class and earn the $10,000 scholarship. When do you think I should retake my next test? I would love a study guide if you can make me one!</p>
<p>egelloc80,
I have seen a lot of youtube videos for each section, especially the Science. I’m guessing my problem is not being able to read graphs, and especially ones that I am timed on. Like I said earlier, I haven’t really taken Practice tests like I should have. I have looked into a tutor, but I don’t really have the money.</p>
<p>I am a senior, and yes I have been accepted to the schools. I really don’t want to take either test again, but I want to earn the $10,000 scholarship though. (My SAT score is 10 points off, and ACT Composite is 2 off from earning me the scholarship).</p>
<p>I would suggest taking the April one, and you’ll have time to sign up for the June one if you really want to take it again.
Mar. 3-9: Take a practice test from the Red book under timed conditions. Try to do 2 sections at a time. Score your test and review the answers. Your score may be different from the real thing- if it’s lower, no worries- you didn’t study for the test. If it’s higher, work on your test-taking skills and make a plan for test day. Nerves are getting in the way of a higher score.
After you’ve done this, read chapters 1.0 and 2.0 in Sparknotes’ online ACT prep. Do a google search to find it.
For the next few weeks…
Each day, read chapters 3.0-16.0 in Sparknotes. Read one chapter a day for the English and Reading sections, and one chapter every two days for the Math and Science. After you read chapters 6.0, 10.0, 13.0, and 16.0, take a practice test from the red book. If you don’t have that much time, just do the section you just studied. Review your answers in-depth after (read the detailed answer explanations).
Now, get another prep book (I recommend Kaplan) and follow the same guidelines as above (english and reading= 1 chapter per day. math and science= 1 chapter every two days. Take the practice tests, too). Schedule this so you finish the book about 3 weeks before the test.
Now, to work on your math- get either Kaplan’s or Barron’s math and science workbook. Do one math chapter each day, and every weekend, do a practice math section (under timed conditions). Spend longer on concepts you don’t remember or find difficult. Also, every day, watch Youtube videos of solving ACTmath questions. They usually are around eight minutes and shouldn’t take long. Schedule this so you finish 1 week before the test. Throughout this time, you should also be reviewing the other sections.
Now, take a full practice test under timed conditions. Score and review answers in the next 3-4 days.
2 days before… review the strategies chapters in your prep books and do a few questions from each section.
1 day before… same. Get some exercise and go to bed about half an hour earlier than normal. Pack your bag too.
The morning of the test… do a few questions from each section while you’re eating breakfast. Try to relax, and don’t worry too much about the test!
Hopefully this helps! good luck! This is about the same schedule I followed a few years ago to get a 36 english :)</p>
<p>I haven’t been studying quite as much lately, due to regular school and work etc… However, I just got all my Financial information done for college, so I have some free time to study. I haven’t yet signed up for the next test, (mainly because I am thinking of taking the SAT instead, considering I’m 10 points away from the 10 grand scholarship. The ACT I am 2 composite points away).</p>
<p>I think I will take a timed SAT and ACT practice test, and then see what I do better in. Then I will sign up for that test. SG12909: I will definitely use your practice guide if I decide to do the ACT. </p>
<p>Just for some input, based on my difference in scores, (SAT 870 M/CR, and ACT Composite 18), what test do you suggest I retake? I really like the idea of the ACT because its $15 cheaper than the SAT. Regardless of which one, I will be taking it in May.</p>