Hey. Thanks for stopping by. If you are the masochistic type that enjoys subjection to painfully long-winded tomes, you’re in for a treat.
I’ve taken two SAT exams (both during the winter of my junior year and on consecutive test dates) and, since I don’t care for the new SAT’s format and received a final score that I deem unsatisfactory, I have begun strongly considering the ACT as my last saving grace.
I’m quite aware that this thread is devoted to a different test. However, I thought that if were to divulge my scores and the general amount of preparation done for each respective score, those factors might serve as a reference for predicting a plausible ACT score.
On my first SAT, I achieved a score of 1830. (640 R, 590 M, 600 W) I practiced intermittently over the course of about two weeks using both the blue book and various online resources. However, I abstained from practice tests. I was of the mentality that I would analyze my strengths and weaknesses upon receiving my score breakdown and then zero in scrutinously on what most urgently needed improvement.
About two months later, I achieved a slightly more impressive score of 1950 (650 R, 650 M, 650 W) on my second and final SAT. My math and writing scores underwent fairly significant boosts. The reading… not so much. Although the growth of this score was inhibited, it comes as no surprise as I absolutely detest reading. I was relieved with my results for a short while, but what were at first pride and even shock eventually changed to disappointment and regret. Yet again, I only spent two weeks preparing, although a considerably larger amount of studying was crammed into that time frame.
I began to wish that I’d begun my prepping way earlier and taken at least a single practice test. The goal was a 2000 and I fell short by a mere 50 points. Although the values of the score I received and the one I yearned for may only vary slightly, the reality that I wouldn’t be able to tell myself I got a score that began with a “2” was heartbreaking. (I also really wanted to score higher on the math section. I’m not sure how well a 650 bodes for my competence as a STEM major.)
(I apologize for digressing from the main idea of this post with an anecdote most would probably consider pathetic. On to the ACT.)
I found that my SAT score of 1950 is approximate to a 29 on the ACT. Assuming each test is similar in difficulty and material, I’d like to believe I would’ve gotten a 29 had I favored the ACT over the SAT and contributed an equal amount of effort. Given this relationship, it seems that a score of 30 would be about as impressive as a score of 2000.
At last, we’ve arrived at the final chapter of this novel. If you managed to traverse this entire verbose cluster of text, I both commend you for your stoicism and thank you for your patience. I felt it necessary to provide as much background information as I could recall to lead up to my questions. The questions are as follows:
- Given my SAT performance and the amount of practice I'd put in, would it be reasonable to believe I am capable of achieving a score of 30 or greater on the ACT?
- I am a rising senior and, if I decide to do so, will take the October 22 and December 10 exams. Would the next two months provide enough time to prepare sufficiently?
- Which study resource(s) would be the most beneficial to utilize during my three-month ACT prep excursion? I currently only own the Princeton Review's "Cracking the ACT" book. I'm incredulous that I will be able to retain more than an entire single book's sum of information.
- How much time should I allot for ACT prep (per week or per day)?
- Do I care too much?
If snagging that 30+ is a prospect, I will rise to the occasion and study. Enormous thanks to anyone who can provide some advice and/or solace.