<p>Hello everyone! This is my first post here on the forums! Well, I took the ACT for the first time today. I'm currently in 8th grade and didn't study for the test. It was more to see how it works experience for myself! I thought the reading and language arts was pretty simple. The math was sort of difficult but most of the things I didn't know I haven't been taught yet. ( trigonometry, some geometry) I thought the science was the hardest, I guessed on the last 5 and really didn't understand the charts and graphs. I think I'll understand more once I start studying and taking TIMED practice tests. I finished every part but science when I guessed on last 5, like I said. I believe I made in the range of 17-20. Is this average for an 8th grader who didn't study? How did you feel about the science section? I am in all gifted programs and taking honors classes next year as well as Honors Algebra 1 and Honors Geometry in the same year, as well as French 1 and 2. I think I'm going to far in one topic so I'll stop here. Oh, and best of luck to anyone who took the ACT this morning!</p>
<p>I think you’ll probably score higher than a 17-20 if you were able to finish all of the sections and were fairly confident about your answers. I took the ACT in 8th grade and got a 25, and I didn’t finish 2 sections(like 5-6 questions left blank). I thought the science section was pretty hard this year. There was a lot of superfluous information and irritating stuff that kept bogging me down. I think the curve in science will be extremely generous. I think you will probably end up in the 22-26 ballpark. Its not hard to score in the 27-29s</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. I’m going to try to make in the 30’s, with alot of studying and prep, I think it’s possible. After AP Chem and Bio the science should be easier to understand. I think the test will be alot easier. I’m quite early in the college search, Im just curious to see all the colleges I could possibly go to and what degrees they offer. :)</p>
<p>Looking back on the past few months, I feel that it was a bad choice not to study. But hey, Ive got 11 more times to take it. ;)</p>
<p>I don’t think AP Chem or Bio will help you with the Science section. The ACT designs the test in a way that almost anyone, regardless of what classes they have taken, should be able to answer most of the questions. I’m currently taking AP Biology and science is one of my stronger areas, but it doesn’t really help you on the science. The science section is mostly graph and chart analysis with one section on conflicting view points. If you want to improve in the science section I think practice tests are the way to go.</p>
<p>I still think that a background in chem, bio and physics will help you a lot. On the science section, I tend to finish the physics passages in minutes (current class), leaving me extra time for others.</p>
<p>Anyway, I think its too late for the summer deadline but I recommend looking into duke TIP. You should make the cutoff with ease, but it may be to late for the more rigorous programs. And personally, unless your confident in getting a 35/36 with studying, I’d recommend holding off until at least sophomore year. By sophomore year you’ll learn most of the subjects on the test, so you won’t have to study nearly as much.</p>
<p>Yeah! I’ll def hold off until sophomore year or as a junior. I was once considering the TIP program. Have you any experience with it?</p>