I can’t believe how tedious the math section was. No practice test would’ve prepared me for it, and I took plenty of them, often scoring in the 30s. I ran out of time before I could even begin the final ten problems. Like every other problem was a word problem. Did ACT just suddenly change the concepts the math section assesses? How will I prepare for it effectively now? Really bummed out over this.
@joewantstoknow because I genuinely had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t study at all. I freaked out when I heard there was a science section while we were taking our 10 minute break between math and reading lol
No level of generosity on this curve will be able to save my STEM score. Honestly I might just start focusing on the SAT… I’m so sick of this
@lwh1998 literally same. the ACT is so ridiculous. I guess I’m more of an SAT person.
Do you guys think the math curve will be -3 for 36 or -2? It seems like a unusually high amount of people (including top testers) rated the math section as being very difficult.
@CollegeBound1325 Honestly I wouldn’t be surprised if this curve’s leniency is unprecedented, but I suppose only time will tell. Obviously, I can’t discuss specific test questions, but I saw questions in the first 40 that look like they belong in the final 10.
On a positive note, I actually enjoyed the essay topic for once. I have a long history of getting subpar essay scores, but I genuinely believe I have a shot at a 10-12 this time 
the topic was actually relatable for once
I agree, it was a much easier essay topic this time around.
The science was painfully hard. Wow.
@TheBoy6 Agreed. I think there was really only 1 passage that screwed me up. I spent 15 minutes on it and ended up having to rush through the rest of the section. I guess you live and learn…
Does everyone have the same questions and essay topics? I’ve always wondered what all the different form numbers mean.
I’ll be very sad if my composite drops, but it looks like that’s a strong possibility at this point.
@lhw1998 same. One more point will open up so many more opportunities for me but I don’t think I’ll get it.
OK so many of my friends hated this ACT. I found English to be the easiest, and math a little harder than last time (i think i did better because i practiced it). On reading, i kind of freaked out bc of time, spending 10 on the first passage and going on assumptions for the rest of that section. Science was crap but i still think that i did better than last time. IDK, share your thoughts
Is there any reason why the math section was so different from any of the red book’s practice tests? The frequency of word problems was way higher than what I was used to and it seemed that the difficulty wasn’t exactly linear. I found myself using on problems in the 20’s the amount of brainpower usually required for problems near the end of the section. Could it just have been nerves? Or did ACT update the section very recently? Super strange that I had so much trouble…
@MarcoXP The English seemed fairly simple for me but that’s just because I happen to have a knack for it. I found reading to be about normal, science difficult and math really difficult.
I took the last ACT and clearly remember everyone freaking out before the results came in.
Seriously, almost everyone got a 31+ and was bursting with joy. We’ll all be fine
As someone who has taken the SAT 4 times, I do prefer the ACT. The only caveat with the latter is time management; it’s unbelievable how little time you’re given. On the SAT I would finish each section with at least 10 minutes left over- yet it was just enough for the test’s devilish trick questions to get the best of me 8-|
normally on practice tests I have a few in the math section that I have to guess on because of time, but during the real things I had ten minutes left and it’s making me nervous… anyone else have the same issue?
For most people it believe it is the antithesis. My D had about 7 or so she did not get to, and she normally has about a couple minutes left at the end. If you felt confident about your answer choices, though, then you probably did do well. There always is that one guy.
@AGoodFloridian you make a good point. I took the 2016-17 official practice test last and the scale was very generous. I was half asleep on the Friday before the actual test and still managed a 27 in math. I think I got 17 wrong too. Unless we all really screwed up, I don’t think scores will drop much, if at all.