Need some help to go up a few points...

<p>Hi, I'm in dire need of some advice. I taking the ACT again on Dec. 8th. I currently have a 25 composite score, with E-31 R-26(I usually make AT LEAST a 27 or 28 on reading) M-20 S-21.</p>

<p>As you can see, my math and science bring me down terribly. I go to a small school, and while I am a Straight A student, I feel our maths and sciences do not prepare me. I have always been better at english/reading and this was a low reading score for me. I mainly ran out of time, any tips for that?</p>

<p>If anyone has a 2 week regime I could use to improve my score, please let me know. I feel with the right preparation, I could easily be a high 20's/30 student. It's just frustrating, because my school offers NO ACT prep. I'm all own my own. </p>

<p>My goal for this upcoming ACT is a 28 or 29. To achieve this, I would only need a few points. Any tips, advice, and suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.</p>

<p>Hi Emily,
I don’t know about maths, but I can help you out with science. This is what I did maybe it can help you out. I mainly worked with books, doing tons of practise tests. First of, there are three types of passages, Data Representation, Research Summaries and Conflicting viewpoints. Instead, of doing the whole practise tests, I just focused on each section individually and made sure I was profient on each of them. I followed this outline.</p>

<p>Example: Data Representation</p>

<p>1) Barron’s Maths and Science Workbook(Read all data representation and worked through all the exercises)
2)Learned the definitions to get accustomed to vocabulary</p>

<p>3)Completed all practise tests from Mcgraw hill(10 practise tests=30 DR passages)
4) Mcgraw hill (6 practise tests=18 Data representation.) </p>

<p>I started with MCGraw hill as the tests are easier than the real ACT so they will get you used to doing this passage, the main thing here is for you to get used to doing the test timed. For data representation you should target to finish around 5-6m, most likely it will take you longer at first but with practise you’ll improve. </p>

<p>5) Princeton Review 1,296 questions(6 tests=18 data representation passages)
6) Princeton Review Cracking the ACT(2 tests=6 DR passages)</p>

<p>Then I worked with PR, at first your score will go down from the MCGRAWN and your time will go up. I initially got 4/5 with a time of 6.14 on MCGrawn but then on PR I got 3/5 and a time of 10m. However, as I kept on practising I eventually improve to the point where I was consistently getting 4/5 or 5/5 with a time of around 5.40m.</p>

<p>7) Barron’s tests(6 practise tests=18 DR passage)
Here, however I think I should have done something a bit different, as I got to the point that I should have found a book as with the same level of difficulty as PR’s as opposed to Barron’s which was much more challenging than the real ACT. Here I was doing around 4/5 but with a average time of 6-7m. I think I’ll get an older edition of Barron’s or another PR.</p>

<p>8) Repeat for all the other passages</p>

<p>I think this outline is less than perfect, however, I definitely improve my accuracy and the way I do this section, before I was completely lost but know I feel more confident as my time has decreased. Maybe other people in this forum can suggest other improvements. </p>

<p>I hope this helps you</p>

<p>By the way I strongly advise against online prep from Barron’s or prep me among other companies(I tried different companies as it is very different from the one’s in the books. In addition, most of the format is way off and it is sometimes confusing. </p>

<p>PS: I had already finished the Real ACT book, long before I did this outline so I had no equivalent, if anyone knows where I get older editions, of any of this books, please let me know.</p>

<p>Thank you! I will definitely take that into consideration!</p>

<p>No problem, I glad I can help!</p>

<p>Hey Emily,
Here’s what I recommend… Math is very studiable, I would get the red book and read the math tips, then get a Barron’s book and read all the math stuff. Then take 2-3 math practice tests and go over anything you don’t understand. And remember, even if you don’t know the “official” way to solve a problem, if you can think outside the box to solve it anyway either by plugging in numbers or what have you, do it. Best of luck!</p>