<p>Hi Guys,
Just found out my scores for the April Test and I did well on my English and Math sections (33 and 32 respectively), but very poorly on my science and reading sections pulling down my composite score significantly. I was wondering if you guys had any advice on improving in the science and reading sections. I'm finishing both the English and math sections on time but struggling through science and reading. Also, should I retake in June (have conflicts with tennis) or retake just in September? Any help is appreciated!</p>
<p>bump 10char</p>
<p>Have you done practice tests in the real act prep book (red)? Science and reading are mostly about being quick, so practicing those sections (timed) should help you improve your score. If you have time to study and take it in June, I would, just in case it doesn’t go well again and you need to take it a 3rd time. Good luck!</p>
<p>Are english and math sub sections more important?</p>
<p>Well, it depends. Different colleges value different sections. For example, if you wanted to be an engineer, a college will want to see high math and science scores. If a lawyer, then english and reading would be more important.</p>
<p>To improve reading scores, READ. Pick out some classic novels and just be constantly reading something. I had a 22 for reading on my first ACT, and now I have a 32 just by reading a lot. As for science, don’t read the passages, except for conflicting viewpoints. This will help you waste less time. Also, take as many timed science practices test as you possibly can. They’ll get you used to the small amount of time you have.</p>
<p>Some tips for reading:
- Make sure you don’t misread the question stem or answer choices. It’s very easy to misread a conjunction or adjective.
- Skim the passage. Read it how you would read a teen novel from the library- get into it, but don’t get caught in the details.
- Mark up the passage. Circle or bracket main ideas and places where the author’s voice stands out.
- Understand how the passage flows. Which paragraphs are supportive? Which expresses opposite views? Which is the introduction?
- Pay attention to facts vs. author’s opinion.</p>
<p>It’s interesting to note that your two weaker subjects are science and reading.
Because of your strong English score, you probably have potential to do well in reading, there usually isn’t a gigantic difference between the two scores.</p>
<p>The science and reading sections both have similarities in that they require lots of reading in short times.
To improve these areas, try just practicing reading for speed in general.
Additionally, the more practice tests you take, the better you will learn to pace yourself and use test taking strategies (learn what details to read for, etc.)</p>
<p>Science is a hit or miss for me. Sometimes I do really well on it and other times I do pretty poor on it so it’s really random for me. My best advice for reading would be to read through the questions before you read the passage and if time is an issue for you don’t read the passage word for word. You can usually skim it and you will pretty much all of the information plus you will save a lot of time.</p>
<p>Any tips for the science sections? I remember it being a lot of reading, and I did well on the reading section, but any tips as to guessing in case I have no idea? Does doing well really depend on knowing the subject?</p>
<p>Also, my English score was good, but my grammar section score was lower, so any good books or tips to help learn/supplement my grammar knowledge? Much appreciated!</p>
<p>i would advise you to read the prep books, such as barron’s and PR. they helped increase my score from 29 to a 33! :)</p>
<p>Right now for the reading questions I am going straight to the questions because I run out of time during the reading sections. However, I am still scoring in the low 20’s compared to my 33 in english…</p>
<p>Do colleges weight the English and Math subscores more heavily? For example, would a better score be : 34E,34M,27R,27S or 31E,31M,30R,30S? (For business schools)</p>
<p>bump 10char</p>