<p>I took the ACT last April and got a 22 composite, pretty average. I spent months preparing and now I am scoring 31 English, 29 Math, 28 reading, and 24 science. I'm going to take the test in 2 weeks, I just wanted to know if there is anything I can do to raise my score. I have nearly every prep book and even have a private tutor but I can't raise my score higher. Also, do you know how to ace the science?
I also wanted to let you guys know NOT to buy the ACT Black book. If you noticed, the writer of the book makes some fake testimonials about the book all over the website. I bought the book too, and really, a HUGE waste of money. If you don't believe me just buy it and waste your money.
Thanks!</p>
<p>I’m sorry you wasted your money.</p>
<p>I studied with the REAL ACT PREP and Boost your score! Software from Amazon. I took all 3 practice tests + the one on the ACT website… and the software takes your answers from 4 tests and shows you the breakdown of each section in the 4 main sections… Like it separates the punctuation, style, organization, grammar, etc. questions. It breaks down math further, and science is interesting too. The only section I wouldn’t recommend the software for is reading. Trust the RED book, the real one on the act website. The boost your score software wasn’t expensive so I really think it’d be good for people to get! Especially if you notice you are missing the same section of questions. They have excellent resources and practice questions for all of their sub-sections.</p>
<p>I went from a 23 comp to a 29 with red book, and from a 17 reading to 32… it’s all about practice!! Good luck!</p>
<p>I agree with LMU. Practice is key.
For the science section, I do the conflicting viewpoints first because it has the most points, then the data analysis, and save experiments for last. On the viewpoints section, read the first view points and answer the questions relating that part. Then, read the second viewpoint and answer the rest of the questions. It really saves some confusion of details.
For the data analysis and the experiments DON’T read anything unless you absolutely have to! Reading the blurbs will just confuse you and freak you out. Instead, take a couple of seconds to study the carts and graphs to make sure you have a general sense of what they talk about.
For me this worked really well. I went from a 26 average on the science section to 33.
Hope this works for you too.
Good luck on the ACT!</p>
<p>I personally disagree about the blackbook, worked for me, but different strokes for different folks i suppose. My friend said his testimonial is actually up there, so they arnet all fake, maybe some are who knows, but whatever.</p>
<p>Ya for science don’t read the passages and just break down each question to the basics. Look it up in the chart if you can, if not do a little reading and find the answer.</p>
<p>haa I just saw this site while i was looking for the act blackbook cause it worked like a freakin charm for my boy. i dont kno what this dudes talkin about. I dont know about everyone who studies a million hours maybe then its no help for them, but I’m planning like two weeks with that beast and an online practice test or two. all you need unless you wanna slave it for months - I’m not lookin to do that</p>
<p>Lol, I would not waste my money on the ACT Black Book. No matter what the silly tricks are in the book, there must be a problem if someone says its “pure garbage”.</p>
<p>PLHSbacker made their first post and it was to support the black book… hmmm?</p>
<p>umm ya only posted cause it came up when i searched for the book. I have better things to do then talk about the Act, but thought i’d help people out. I’m only back to deactivate my account cause people are littering my e-mail with messages. I don’t work for anyone, don’t buy it i could care less. it sounds like with the amount people here study, it probably isnt gonna help, its way more for the quick fix</p>
<p>O.K. well l i agree plhs is a little off base (although i do have some linebacker pride lol), but let’s be honest, we are all in high school here - I’d say 90 - 95% of my graduating class is spending less than 20 hours on ACT prep. Anyone really think they can dispute that??</p>
<p>BTW my school has 98% of kids go to college, and sends plenty to the ivys and many more to the major state schools. I can name about 15 guys off the top of my head who will spend less than 10 hours studying and will score 28 plus. I mean most 17 year olds aren’t willing to put in an extra 30 or 40 hours to raise their score a couple points, so I do see where PLHS is coming from.</p>