<p>Hi, I'm a first time ACT Test taker. I'm a senior and I just came fresh off taking my SATs last Saturday. As I don't think I performed the greatest on the SATs, I'm planning on taking the ACTs next week. My question is, what's the best way for me to get the absolute best score possible on the ACT with only 1 week preparation? I know that I probably shouldn't have waited until this moment, but up until now, all my time was spent towards preparing for the SAT and now that I don't think I did that great on them, I'm focusing on the ACTs. I already have the Red book and I finished the methods so all I have left are the 3 Practice tests in the book. Are there any other additional resources that I could finish in 1 week that will help me tremendously on the test?</p>
<p>If it helps, the highest score I got on the SAT practice tests was 2230 and it'd be great to score above that range on the ACT (33-36ish). Thanks!</p>
<p>This is my first and last time that I will be taking the ACT as well. I have PR 1296, PR, Red Book, and Barrons. I prepped during the summer, and I have no trouble with math, science, or english. (36s on all of them) Reading is a bit tricky but you should definitely practice reading unless you’re good at it. It’s all about timing yourself. Practice the other sections too on sparknotes if you can.</p>
<p>So here’s what I did to prepare - no idea if it will help you, but seeing as you are aiming for the 33-36 range, i don’t think that basic knowledge is your issue. My situation was a little different than yours - I took the ACT first (3 times), then the SAT with minimal preparation. My main issue throughout was speed. I am pretty sure that you have less time to complete the questions on the ACT than the SAT. The first two times I took it, I didn’t really prepare and couldn’t finish any of the sections besides the English section, and ended up with a 31, then a 32. My advice to you would be to time yourself doing the practice tests you have in small sections - Reading, 7 minutes per passage and questions; Science, 5 minutes per passage and questions; Math, about half a minute per question (you have a minute, but they will get progressively harder); and English I didn’t have a problem with, so I didn’t practice that one. When I took the ACT the third time, this September, I finished all of the sections and got a 36.</p>
<p>Okay, about the content: Math section on the ACT seemed harder than the SAT, but the ACT Reading/English seemed easier that the SAT. The content of the ACT is really predictable. If you read the explanations for all questions you don’t know on the practice tests, you should be fine. Oh, also - math formulas are not given on the ACT. Make sure you remember your basic slope, distance formulas, etc., as well as the laws of sines and cosines. And the science section - ah yes, that is not on the SAT and will DEFINITELY throw you for a loop if you are not prepared. Basically it tests your abilities to pick out the correct information from graphs/tables/etc. After practice tests and explanations, you’ll get the hang of it.</p>
<p>Oh, and watch out for the ACT essay part - it is at the very end when you are completely mentally drained. And the topics are always boring. Apparently you get a higher score if you relate the topic to current events, like the war in Iraq, according to the girl who was sitting next to me at the SAT. : )</p>
<p>Good luck!! If you have any more questions, I am happy to help!</p>
<p>You should first identify your weaknesses by taking a diagnostic test. Whichever section(s) you did poorly on or thought was kinda hard should be your top priority. So if you’re good at math, don’t bother studying it at all until maybe friday. I’m in the same boat as you; I didn’t have any time at all to study because of SAT. So right now I’m working on reading and science, 2 sections that will perhaps make you feel the most time pressed than any other sections. I’m studying by timing myself under the time limit so that I can pressure myself to work faster. </p>
<p>Hobogirl71, do you know if we can make things up on the essay like we can for the SAT? I just don’t understand how to get a high score for this essay…I feel like i did better on the SAT essay than on this one…>.<</p>
<p>Hmm, I’m not sure what you mean by make things up. I mean, it’s usually your opinion on an issue, right? I think it is the same as the SAT, except in my opinion, the SAT topics are more interesting. I think I did better on the SAT essay too. I guess I’m not the person to ask - maybe try searching for threads with advice about writing the essay? I probably don’t know what you mean because I don’t know that much about the SAT - I am much more familiar with the ACT. Sorry!</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the tips! I’m finding Math pretty easy because I’m in a Calculus class now, but just gotta be careful of careless errors ^^. I’m relying solely on the Red Book to get me a good score this Saturday. I hope I do well!</p>