Hi guys,
I’m hoping I can get some tips on the ACT exam. I am planning on taking the exam in September. So far, I have taken two practice tests and gotten 28 and 29 cumulative. I am hoping to raise that score to a 34+.
On my first released test, I was able to get a 36 in math but scored in the 25 range on reading, science and english. On my second released test, I made some silly mistakes in math bringing my score to a 33 but got in the 28 range for reading, science and english. For English, I’ve memorized the rules but still seem to miss questions. For reading and science, I miss a few maybe 2-4 in the first few passages, but then do not finish the last passage on either test. Can you please help me devise a study plan?
In terms of a score increase, is what I am looking for possible? I think I am pretty smart but not being able to finish the test is so demotivating. That being said, I’ve only really been studying for this test for one week.
Also, does any one know what is considered a significant score increase? Would my 25 to 28 be considered significant? Did I really improve from one practice test to the next? I took them on consecutive days.
Thank you for your help.
I’m studying for this test as well (rising junior), so I’ll help the best I can with stuff that worked for me. I scored a 26 fresh year without ever doing any practice tests (29E 29M 22R 24S). And one year later I got 32 comp (32E 34M 32R 30S) with occasional practice tests. Both were real ACTs. Like you, I’m aiming for high scores. 26-32 is a considerable gain, but the hard part is now 32-36, which means eliminating 1-2 mistakes.
Now I’m getting 35-36s in English just by physically crossing out each answer. Determine if you miss “Rhetorical” or “Grammatical” questions. All of the questions I got wrong on the ACT were Rhetorical so I focused on that. The English portion, I think at least, is all strategy. For math I am in the same boat; I finish the test and I review and of course, I make 1-2 stupid mistakes, dropping me out of 36 range. I have reduced the mistakes from 3-4 to 1-2, as a result of practice tests. Review your mistakes, and determine why you mess up, but since you got a 36, I think you know what you’re doing. For reading and science, I am getting in the 33s, and that is just from practicing. This portion is really unforgiving, two questions in reading wrong for one of the tests in the red book kicked me down to a 33.
Create your own study plan based on how much you need to work. I am doing 2-3 hours a day in the early morning so I have the rest of the day to chill.
I don’t want to sound condescending if I do; I only got a 32 comp which is by no means a stellar score. I only want to help because this one d*mn means so much in college applications. Good luck dude
You weren’t condescending. To be honest, I was able to raise my score by my third practice test which I took yesterday. I think I was just unfamiliar with the timing. I try to go through the math section twice and am scoring between 31 and 33 now for english, reading, and science. For reading and science, I just had to find a strategy that worked for me, namely intro only reading.
For English, I know the answers to the purely grammar questions. But I struggle with passage order, deletion, and the author’s purpose question. I’m guessing those are the rhetorical ones. For some reason, I have a harder time understanding what the English passages are about than the reading passages. Any ideas what I can do there?
I think my reading and science score will go up with more practice tests. I’m already starting to see patterns.
Thank you for your post! It kept me going when I felt like this was an impossible task.