<p>I just want to give up. I scored a 23 composite on the ACT; that's just not like me. I have a 3.89 (unweighted) GPA, I am in the gifted program, and I take honors and AP classes. Unfortunately, I just do not perform well on standardized tests. I do not want this score to reflect me as a student, and I am a bit worried about college placement. I want to take some honors college courses, but my ACT will probably prevent me from doing so. Any advice? I hope to raise my score to a 27 Composite. I really need help on the math section. I am in Precalculus currently, but I just can't reflect my math skills on the ACT. My composite was a big spirit breaker, especially since most of my friends are making 30s</p>
<p>Gracias,</p>
<p>a concerned junior</p>
<p>I can relate to what you're going through. Friends were getting 4-5 points higher that I was, and I didn't feel too bright.</p>
<p>What you have to do is to study really hard. If you have the basic knowledge, you shouldn't be getting less than a 30 composite. </p>
<p>Use AMSCO books. They have one dedicated to English/Reading and the other to Math/Science. <a href="http://www.amscopub.com/frameset.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.amscopub.com/frameset.htm</a><br>
Then find the area at the top which says "price list and book information." Then there's a drop down menu that says ACT Preparation. Those two books are on there. You can get both for under 30 bucks. These are exhaustive topic reviews with practice problems to ensure that you have learned things properly.</p>
<p>Then either purchase from amazon or get from your library "Getting into the ACT" or "The Real ACT Prep Guide." These two offer 2 and 3 real tests respectively. <a href="http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/index.html</a> This offers a pdf called "Preparing for the ACT," which has a free test from the test makers. It also has sample online mini tests with detailed explanation for answers.</p>
<p>On top of this, on that ACT site I just gave you, there are two additional real tests that are only 5 bucks each from the test makers.</p>
<p>If you do all the subject reviews and then practice your skills with all of those tests, you will get a 30+ at the very least, if not mid to upper 30s.</p>
<p>Thanks!
You are a real friend</p>
<p>(=</p>
<p>im in the same boat as your in....low act, high gpa (4.2 weighted) and i got the same score you did. I am planning (although I dont want to) to retake the act, which i have a month to study for. I got into the college i want to but I am in a program which is for students with high gpa, and low test scores..but Im going to try to get a better score. Considering the time i have, Im looking at a 25-27 score.</p>
<p>Also...does anyone have any opinions/comments on Kaplan's The procrastinators guide to the ACT?, I just saw it on amazon.com and i am thinking about buying it.</p>
<p>i used it and i really liked it. i ended up with a composite of 32 so... i guess it worked</p>
<p>Great!...wow, that gives me motivation now. How long did you study for the test?</p>
<p>I used the procrastinators guide, but I only got a 28. The practice test is terrible, don't use it. (I actually finished the science section when I took the Kaplan one lol) Still, I guess the book is good if you don't have any time like I did.</p>
<p>My advice-Take practice tests until you rock. Its working for me.</p>
<p>there are 15 "steps" in the book so i took just about half an hour a day or so for those fifteen days and then took the practice test. it didnt take that much time at all. i did study about the same amount for the january SAT also though, so that might have helped my act score. the book really gets right to the point, and if your foundations are fairly strong you should be fine</p>
<p>My ACT and Sat advice-If you are on CC and have a high GPA, you are probobly smart and already know the information needed for the ACT and SAT. </p>
<p>So don't use books. Just take practice tests, as many as possible. After all, the tests don't test what you know, but how good you are at test taking. The book might be useful for some quick tips, but practice tests are much better.</p>
<p>Thanks!! All of this is great advice!! I just need to have a winning strategy.</p>
<p>(=</p>
<p>I just have to keep hoping.</p>