Yesterday, I took by first practice test straight out of the official red ACT book and scored a 28 on it. The only preparation I’ve done prior to taking that test was just going through the first 100 pages of the book red ACT book.
Is it probable that I raise my ACT score so that I consistently score in the mid 30s?
Which would be a good way for me to study so that I can achieve my goal of getting 30s? I currently plan to go through the answers to the practice test and make sure I know why I made those mistakes. And I plan on to take more practice tests. Is this a good way to study or does anyone else have any other efficient ways to study?
Thanks everyone, this is my first post to collegeconfidential 
It is definitely possible. The more practice you do, the better off you will be (in my opinion). A 28 is a great score, but can be improved upon through more preparation. Identifying both your strengths and areas for improvement in other practice tests will help you pinpoint exactly what you need to work on most. I took the ACT twice and got a 31 both times before registering for my third and final test, which I got a 34 on. So as you can see, big jumps in scores are possible with the right combination of practice and dedication. Good luck!
Absolutely! The first time I took an ACT I got a 26. After taking multiple practice tests and taking a few real tests, I got a 33, after getting a 29 and a 30 on two other tests. To get this score, I went to a tutoring place where I took practice tests constantly. I would say that practice tests are the best way to study. Make sure you time yourself on the practice tests too. Taking multiple practice tests that are timed will help you be able to move through the test faster with more confidence. Also, I would go back and review what you got wrong. If you didn’t finish every question, I would recommend answering the questions that you did not have time for. Understanding how the ACT works will help you get the highest score possible.
Yes it is possible! I highly suggest you give yourself 7 minutes less on each section when you practice to gain speed and later accuracy ^.^ For ACT, all you need to do is PRACTICE. Practice, practice, practice. Take a test every week, every day if possible. McGraw has an ACT pdf with tests online. I suggest after you finish the actual ACT prep book to use that.
What grade are you in. My nephew took the ACT at the end of the ninth grade and made a 24. He is a slow test taker and had a real problem finishing. He ended up taking it eight times and wound up with a 34, which gave him the highest score in his school and the designation of STAR student, which is something our state has. So I would say you have room for improvement.
As others have said, practice tests are a good way to improve along with understanding your mistakes. The Red Book is a good place to start…keep in mind the reading and science have changed a bit. Also the black book can be used in conjunction with the red book…with my daughter it seemed to “click” for her in certain subjects. Good luck!
It’s definitely possible. This was my 6th time taking the ACT, and after 5 tries my best score was a 28, but this test I raised it 4 points! I went from a 28 to a 32, so I’m sure it’s possible to go from a 28 to a 34.
I took the ACT twice, improving my score from a 28 to a 35. So possible? Yes. And I think I’ve come to show that you don’t necessarily need to take it 4 or 5 times to do so. I found it helpful to not read the book, as they outline test taking strategies for students of all education and academic profiles. Rather, narrow your focus to just the practice tests, and you’ll find that after taking a couple, your scores will begin to increase.
Yes, it is. As noted above, practice with real ACT tests is key.