<p>I have taken the ACT twice so far and have got a decent score. The first time it was a surprise (didn't know school required it) so I had no study time at all and scored a 26. The second time I took a Sylvan ACT prep course over 6 weeks (2 hours a day/2 days a week) and got a 28 =/. Now I am taking it again on the Dec. 11 test date and really wish to score at least a 30. To do this, I need to go up 5 points total in my subscores (1 subscore=.25 composite and I have a 28.25). I am not sure if I have enough time though to study. I have the Princeton review for Math and another Princeton review for English/Reading/Science. I also have study books for the SAT Math Level 2 and literature (harder than the ACT, so would studying this help with ACT too?). I have 27 days as of now, but I still have to deal with filling out college apps, doing college essays, and doing AP course homework/studying. So should I still spend all my available free time only studying and put aside every bit of relaxation and not hang out with friends until thats done? I just really need an effective way to study. If anyone could help me I would be much appreciated!</p>
<p>First of all, don’t freak out! Everything will be fine! To be quite honest, the ACT is less about knowledge, and more about being comfortable with the exam. The science questions seem daunting and the english answers all seem the same, but really I think all you need to do is review test-taking techniques. I used sparknotes because they have online practice ACT tests for free, AND they correct them for you, with feedback. Take one of those in order to learn your areas of weakness and improve on them. </p>
<p>To be quite honest, the night before I took my SATs, I relaxed, I went out with my friends, and I had fun. I got a good night’s sleep, and 3 weeks later, I learned that I went up 180 points. So don’t stress out too much.</p>
<p>Most importantly, calm down. Breathe. You will be fine. You will be happy no matter where you go to college. Not everything is about standardized tests. Good Luck with your ACTs and with your college apps :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the kind words and advice Marie! I agree that standardized test scores are not all that matters, but I really played around my high school year and so my gpa now sits at a 2.9 (Most I can raise by end of this semester is to a 3.1). So the ACT is really my only place to shine. I want to go to MIT, but I already know the chances are incredibly. Because of that, I am really aiming towards Georgia Tech. Sure, my ACT is now within their average of acceptance, but my gpa is still considerably low, and so In order to ensure acceptance, I really need to raise my ACT. I would also like to transfer to MIT after a few years of maintaining a high gpa at GA Tech. Either way, I am in need of some tips for raising my ACT score. Right now my math is my lowest score, and I am trying to go into a degree that requires higher level math (engineering). I am going to get an act tutor to help me with my math, but I am afraid it won’t be enough. </p>
<p>So basically, if there are some ACT freaks (in a good way :P) that know the correct way to ace this “test”…any help would be MUCH appreciated!</p>
<p>My friend read ACT crash course the night before and scored 34.</p>
<p>just buy one of those big books with like 5 practice exams and practice, practice, practice, that’s what I did and my math score went up 7 points (28->35)</p>