<p>Let me begin by stating that I have always been a good student (ie 3.93 GPA, many honors courses). When I began learning about the ACT, I thought it would be a breeze. In hindsight, I had no idea what was coming.</p>
<p>I took the ACT in April of 2009. I had no idea what to expect and had never seen the test before. The timing threw me off and I ended up guessing on many problems. I received a composite of 21.</p>
<p>I then signed up for the ACT in June of 2009. I now knew what to expect (timing-wise), but still wasn't too sure about the material (I didn't prepare). I received a composite of 22.</p>
<p>I began to doubt myself, and decided against retaking the ACT. As the college application process began, I realized how important this test was. There was no way I could get a scholarship or even be admitted into an honors program with a 22 ACT. So I decided to take it again.</p>
<p>In December of 2009, I retook the ACT and only took 1 Math practice test (the night before). I received a 24 composite on the test (28 on math). I knew I could do better. A 24 ACT is well below my capability, so I decided to take the test one more time. This is when I woke up.</p>
<p>I bought the red book, Dissecting the ACT, and the ACT online prep. I prepped almost everyday for a month (took 8 practice tests) and felt well-prepared for the ACT. I just got my scores back today and was excited to see that I received a 29 composite.</p>
<p>The point is, don't think that your score is "capped out," as some of the CCers might suggest. I remember people telling me that I probably couldn't score higher than a 25. Boy were they wrong.</p>
<p>For all students who are planning on taking the ACT in the future; any score is achievable, as long as you PREPARE for the test. Approach this test as if you were approaching a final exam in your math class. PRACTICE as much as you can and the sky is the limit!</p>
<p>It does cap-out in a sense…once you are above the 30 range it’s near impossible to score a point or two higher. When you are in the 20’s all is possible lol</p>
<p>hey guys, can you help me?
I was told by my university that in order to get accepted with my rank and gpa I needed a 26 for automatic admission.
so far I’ve got a 23-25-25 composite on my last three tests.
This time I really prepared but it is such a blur to me, I can’t remember how I did.
Do you think that its possible to get a 26?</p>
<p>I did that, but its so hard to predict how I think I did.
I have taken a bunch of practice tests and always gotten in the 25-26 range but it scares me since I’m cutting it so close.
I can’t wait to find out, I’m a senior and I can’t afford to take the ACT one more time.</p>
<p>I was getting 28’s and 29’s and got a 29 on the actual test. Make sure you raise your practice test scores before taking the actual test. Familiarize yourself with the test and you should do well. For me, it felt like I was taking another practice test. I was very comfortable and deservedly so, received a composite score of 29.</p>
<p>Thanks for your insight. Can I ask if you ever took the SAT? Can you, or someone, comment on the test taking experience/difference between the two? </p>
<p>My son is a CA resident, where the SAT seems to be the most popular for the state schools. He is also very interested in a couple state schools in Utah, where the ACT seems to be the gold standard. He’d rather concentrate on the test which will give him the most bang for the buck for his preparation time.</p>
<p>Well, SAT vs.ACT
SAT = trainwreck for me -<em>-
ACT = much much better. A 27 cold and a 29 with a little prep…that equates to a 1300/1600 on the SAT o</em>_O That would’ve never happened the the SAT for me.
The ACT is more practical, the SAT is hyper-tricky. Unfortunately, my IQ [tested at 4 - is 125] does not match my SAT score, so I don’t think it’s my aptitude that was lacking. ACT is much more straightforward. Perhaps an easier pool of people you’re testing against in terms of curves or whatnot.</p>
<p>Similar here. I was always one of the most intelligent kids in my classes. I started off with a 26 and thought it sucked pretty bad, then again I had a pretty bad cold the day I took the test. I used this as an excuse just to get sick again in December, but since this was my Senior year, even with bacterial conjunctivitis in both eyes, I still made a 28. I thought I might do better without a cold, and luckily I got sick a week before the test so it died down before I took it. Went in without any prep, but for the 3rd time (seems to be more about knowing what is on the test and what to expect, knowing your time constraints), and got a 30. This satisfies me but maybe i’ll try it again at the end of the year and hope for a 32!</p>
<p>I made a 30 first time I took it, and that was with no prep… got up to a 32, took one last shot at it on the Feb. test, and I’m really praying for a 34</p>
<p>Had I had more time to prepare, I probably could have got into the 30’s. 29 is more than enough for me to get into the honors colleges I’m applying too so I can’t complain. Just use your time wisely, try to take around 12-15 practice tests and you SHOULD score a 30+.</p>
<p>how did your results on practice tests compare to your score on the actual test? </p>
<p>I got a 32 and a 33 on practice tests from Kaplan (which everyone says is really easy), but a 28 on practice tests from the 1998-1999 version of Barron’s (Which everyone says is really hard). Which score should I trust? </p>
<p>Is there a legal site where I can find official ACT tests by the way?</p>
<p>hwpan888 - your scores on the “preparing for the ACT” tests or the red book are, in my opinion, the most accurate representations of your actual score. If you haven’t taken those practice tests, I would do so before taking the actual exam.</p>