<p>This is for all people to discuss the ACT this Jun 14! I am excited.</p>
<p>A theory that one of my teachers told me is this:
It's kind of better to take the ACT later in the year because most of the very smart students would have already taken it earlier in the year, and so the curve on the last ACT will be more generous. Not exactly sure how valid of a theory is, but I need to take it a second time.</p>
<p>I hope it is, I haven’t gotten my scores back (took the 23rd IL state test) but I know I didn’t do that great in reading since I had to rush through the last passage(and my DA picked proses fiction to do last).</p>
<p>This time I plan on doing social science last since its mainly just raw facts it’ll be easier to rush through in comparison, and I kind rushed through reading a few of the math questions that I’m 110% sure that I could have done if I had read it right. Hopefully Ill be able to raise my scores by 3-4 points.</p>
<p>The reading & english sections always befuddle me. I’ve always seen myself a very math & science person, logical thinker, but I did so bad on those sections. I got a 35 on reading, completely unexpected, but a 28 on math. But I know the reasons for why I didn’t do as well on math so I can probably easily fix those before the next test. I got my scores a few days ago from the state test on the 23rd and I’m from Missouri.</p>
<p>I think it may be because the writing test is administered with the state test in Illinois. In Missouri the state test is no writing…</p>
<p>I didn’t really have a strategy though. But, I skipped the prose section on reading and did the “facts-based” passages like you did. That may have helped out a lot.</p>
<p>I hate to say this, but your teachers theory is not accurate. The curves for tests are predetermined before any of us ever take them. The people who take the test on June 14 with have no determination in whether it is a good or bad curve. The curve has already been set based on past exams and what not. If we did decide the curve, then we would have to wait until everyone’s test is scored before they were released, and we know that not to be true.</p>
<p>Hm. Wonder why i was told that then. Oh well</p>
<p>I received a 32 composite in April; however, my math score was only 27. Big issue since I’m majoring in CS. June will be my last attempt, any suggestions for breaking that 30 barrier on math? Studied it hard between Feb and April, but actually ended up dropping a point in it. Good luck everyone!</p>
<p>Similar happened to me. 31 composite but 28 on math. hopefully ill bring that up .</p>
<p>I’ve helped many a people out at my school on the math section, never into the 30 range, but I think the same basic ideas apply. First thing you have to do is pinpoint exactly what sections of the math you are struggling on. Next, you need to get a review book or use the free, online source of Sparknotes. I used the Barron’s math and science workbook, and that helped me to get a 35. Many people don’t like this one though because most of the problems are overly hard. But, to be honest, any review book that has the content is fine, just find one that you think fits you. Sometimes I’ve found that some people just don’t fully understand the math sections and need a little more practice than others. Make sure you have the red book so that you can take real ACT tests. If you still aren’t satisfied with your score, Princeton Review has some good tests that you could take as well. Also, you sort of have to get lucky on the test that is given. Some tests you understand most of the questions and they are easier, sometimes they are very difficult. I took the test three times, my math score went from 34 to 29 to 35. So, it mostly depends on the test that you actually get. If you know the content and go in confident then you’ll be able to get the score that you want.</p>
<p>I raised my math score from 26 to 31 just by doing all 500 problems in McGraw Hill’s 500 math act question book, and taking two practice math sections from the red real act book.</p>
<p>I have heard from several people that June ACT is one of the better months to take bcus it is usually ome of the easier act tests. I often hear June is the month many of the athletes take the ACT. Does anyone else hear this? Think there is any truth behind it? Just curious what others think.</p>
<p>Probably not. I don’t see any logic in putting out a test that is noticeably easier than another test. It just doesn’t make sense. </p>
<p>In my honest opinion, I don’t think any month is just far superior to take it in. It really only depends on the test that they decide to administer for that month. The June test last year may have been easy, but that doesn’t mean that it’s because of the month. What do athletes have to do with it (Just wondering)? I think it’s just a superstition to believe that the month correlates with an easier test. If you prepare and study well enough, then you’ll be fine with any test that they give you. Good Luck to all!</p>
<p>I am inclined to think jugg and Colton are right and the month of the act does not matter. Perhaps the athlete part is athletes heading into senior year can have the act scores as they make their commitment decisions in coming months? Not really sure. Prob just another one of those falsehoods that get spread around. I know my kid has taken act in April and February and did not see much difference if any in level of difficulty. She did feel that april science and reading was harder than the Feb science and reading but the April English and math were easier than the Feb ones. Who knows? All sounds like a crap shoot.</p>
<p>It really is just a crap shoot. That’s why we have a curve on the exams to try and even out the difficulties on the different exams. You just have to prepare the best that you can and hope that it’s a good day for you.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any tips for Reading and Writing? Like seriously, how do you read everything that fast and answer the questions under 40 minutes?</p>
<p>The guidance counselor at my daughters’ high school says that the highest scores are achieved on the April test date and usually those who test in June don’t improve. My older daughter found that to be true for her and we’re testing that theory again this June with my younger daughter.</p>
<p>@MOMINWIS
That is simply because the testing dates are so close. You generally won’t learn anything in school in those two months between the tests that will significantly increase your score; however, if you study for the test during those two months, then your score will be higher. Most people don’t study for these tests, hence the higher scores in April, when the school year is basically done. If you don’t study between that time, then of course the score won’t improve. There is no correlation there, it’s simply, if you don’t study, you don’t improve.</p>
<p>I hope my studying pays off. So much stress doing these math problems in the book, getting them wrong, and getting mad over it. . . </p>
<p>Well, I took my first ACT practice test over the weekend and got a 32.
Reading: 28 (Horrid)
Science: 33
English: 33
Math: 35</p>
<p>For the essay, is it the same as the SAT essay? Can I just write a lot?</p>
<p>I took the preparing for the ACT on and got a 33 (M-35, E-33, S-31, R-31). I hope I get a 32, because I want to be done with this test so bad. I am hoping for a easy science and reading.
@Hawkace on reading I skim the passage write a brief summary of the paragraph and scan for all the answers. The reading test is way more about comprehension and detail recall than analysis. And the ACT essay can be written like a SAT essay for the most part but there is a major style difference in the prompts. ACT is more basic and SAT is more scholarly in my opinion. If you can write a good SAT essay you will do fine.</p>