<p>Today I ordered 4 books in the mail and am actually going to prepare how you should prepare for the Sept./Oct. ACT (3rd test). If I don't reach my goal on this next test, would it be a bad idea to take it a 4th time? I don't want it to look bad when applying to colleges, and yes I realize I can delete test scores but am not really interested in that. Just need to know if this Sept./Oct. test is an issue of life or death on how I do haha</p>
<p>You have pretty much the entire summer to study. Doing 10-15 minutes a day will get you there. As such, I don’t think you need to worry about the 4th test. If you still want to take the 4th test then go ahead, colleges generally dislike to see testers who don’t improve from test to test. If you are stuck getting the same score that you got previously, I’d suggest spending time doing something more productive.</p>
<p>That’s a good idea^ I ordered Barron’s English, Reading, and Writing workbook, Barron’s Math and Science workbook, the Real ACT, and Barron’s ACT 36. They’re suppose to come in in about a week and then I want to study as much as possible every day, strictly. I really need to do well on the next test and am determined. I really don’t want to take that 4th test. Are there any other good ways to study for it?</p>
<p>My son’s GC said more than three is frowned on by admissions. I don’t know how true this is, but that is what we have been told. Have you tried the SAT?</p>
<p>I have not, I don’t even know what it looks like haha</p>
<p>If you work hard over the summer and still could not get your target score, you probably won’t get any better even if you take the 4th one.</p>
<p>You make a valid point^ But my fear is that I’ll study all summer and improve alot, but just get a bad test that hurts my score and want to take it a 4th time. I’ll have to study until I’m fail-proof!</p>
<p>But how would colleges know that he has taken a fourth test? Would would you send all the tests? I’m going to just send my best one.</p>
<p>Well some colleges request you send them all</p>
<p>Just got my books. Can’t believe how thick the real act is! And how thin the workbooks are 
But I have my work cut out for me. Between these 4 books surely I can get the score I’m looking for</p>
<p>which colleges require sending all previous ACT scores? first time I am hearing this</p>
<p>ivy league schools or top colleges.</p>
<p>There isn’t a hard rule in admissions about taking more than 3 exams. So I would ignore that argument. It’s important to look at the opportunity cost of studying. Taking it 4 times is rarely necessary since the tests are standardized, which means predictable and similar. </p>
<p>Here’s my advice:
1 - set score goals and don’t even waste your time thinking about a 4th test. You will perform better without that option. </p>
<p>2 - Take practice tests exactly like its the real deal. If you can mimic testing conditions, you will get accurate scores. </p>
<p>3 - force yourself to set small goals, eg get perfect at comma errors.</p>
<p><strong>Bump</strong></p>
<p>Okay, so I worked so hard all summer to improve my score and as the Red Book shows they went up. I took my final practice test on Thursday and got:
E:32
M:29
R:30
S:30</p>
<p>Which I’m happy with. However, I did not feel good about the ACT today at all. The test didn’t seem to go in my favor at all. What i’m wondering is if it is a bad idea to go ahead and sign up for that 4th test?</p>
<p>I plan on taking a 4th, 5th, 6th… however many tests it takes me. I’m applying to less selective colleges, so I could care less about what they think about taking more than three.</p>
<p>IMO you should keep taking them until you’ve just plateau’d out. For me, taking them is still worth my time considering I’m still learning new stuff in Pre-Calc/Trig which can help me increase my score.</p>
<p>i would wait and see what you get first…it might surprise you!</p>
<p>Why are you ordering the red book when you already have it?</p>
<p>That was from a while back, I just didn’t want to make a new thread. And I can’t wait to see what I get on this one because I have to sign up by Friday</p>
<p>I wouldn’t sign up. 4 is way too many. Most colleges say stop at 3.</p>