<p>I am a current sophomore, and back in October we had to take the PLAN test (basically a mini ACT made for Sophomores) and I scored rather well, and I was wondering if it was actually a good predictor for ACT scores?</p>
<p>Also, this summer (the summer before my junior year) I will start studying for the ACT. How do I begin? I mean, any recommended strategies or books?</p>
<p>21 on plan sophomore year
30 on first act without any studying…
The plan is not accurate at all so don’t let it bring you down. I got a 179 psat so I thought I would do so well on the SAT because my psat was so much higher than my plan. Come to find out I got a 30ACT and a 1820 SAT…</p>
<p>28 PLAN; 34 ACT, after one practice test.</p>
<p>momdoc can I ask how you studied? my goal is actually a 34 so :)</p>
<p>Ah yes, I would like to know how to study for it too 
some people just take it without studying and get 34s >__>
i myself haven’t taken it yet or the PLAN…so I guess i’m starting without knowing where i stand</p>
<p>I think I got a 25 PLAN score and my estimated ACT range was 26-30.
I usually got about a 26 or 27 on practice tests, and I recently got a 30 on the April 10th ACT. So mine was pretty accurate.</p>
<p>My projected score was a 29-33, and I scored a 34 the first time I took the ACT (though I think I was a bit lucky).</p>
<p>As far as studying goes, you’re on the right track by being on CC. Read the threads on this forum and its parent forum (SAT and ACT Tests & Test Preparation). You will find much great advice for ACT prep.</p>
<p>Here’s a summary of what you should do over the summer:</p>
<ol>
<li>Buy an ACT practice test book.</li>
</ol>
<p>List of a few books:</p>
<p>The Real ACT Prep Guide (aka the “Red Book”): The only book made by the makers of the ACT. Contains tests that have been used for past test dates. Considered to be the most accurate.</p>
<p>Barron’s ACT: Generally considered to be harder than the real thing, but it will make the real ACT seem a bit easier. I was actually using this book the week before I scored my 34, and I think it helped quite a bit.</p>
<p>Barron’s ACT 36: I haven’t used this one, but it’s geared toward making you score in the high 30’s (ideally a 36).</p>
<p>Princeton Review 1296 ACT Practice Questions</p>
<p>Princeton Review Cracking the ACT</p>
<p>Kaplan’s ACT</p>
<p>Books without comments are the ones I have no experience with.</p>
<p>There’s also a free e-book available on Sparknotes at <a href=“SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides”>SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides; . It contains a few practice tests as well.</p>
<ol>
<li> Take practice tests; identify the section(s) that you need to study the most.</li>
<li> Study.</li>
<li> Study some more.</li>
<li> Take a break. It’s summer, and you have 2 more years to worry about the ACT. Besides, if you go at it too hardcore, you will probably just end up wasting time.</li>
</ol>
<p>Finally, don’t be too concerned about what you’re scoring on the practice tests. Concentrate on identifying and correcting your mistakes. Even if you score a 36 on a practice test, chances are there is still room for improvement.</p>
<p>27 PLAN, 33 ACT (My projected score range was 28-32).
That’s a straight comparison because I didn’t study for either.</p>
<p>I doubt your ACT scores will be under the projected range you got for your PLAN scores, especially if you study, but you never know.</p>
<p>i think I had a 25 or 26 on the plan? my score range was probably a 30ish.
i got a 35 without studying. the plan is just ■■■■■■■■.</p>
<p>UVAorBust, it was actually my son who took the test. He used the Real Act Prep Guide (the “Red Book” described in LBlock’s post above). He took the entire first practice test. His scores on the different sections of that were all fine, except for the Reading, which was significantly lower. He did the reading sections of two more practice tests, then wouldn’t you know, he scored a 36 on the reading section on the actual test! Too bad he didn’t complete ALL the sections of the two additional tests. 
After taking the real test, he said he thought the Red Book was an excellent prep book, which makes sense, given that it’s put out by the ACT people. Try to get hold of that book if you can.</p>
<p>BTW, his ACT score was way higher than his SAT score the first time. Maybe you’re like him, and will do better on the ACT, too. Good luck!</p>
<p>27 on the plan, 29 on a practice one without studying btwn the plan and then, and im taking the real one in june…</p>
<p>PLAN 25 ACT 33
they said that at best I would get a 30.
boy were they wrong.</p>
<p>33 on PLAN test. I have yet to receive my ACT scores, but I have a feeling they weren’t as high.</p>
<p>PLAN estimated I would get around 25. Practice test I got 33 for composite. First time I took the ACT (Dec.) I got a 30 for composite. Waiting on the state-ACT/PSAE to see if I improved (I have a much better feeling about the math this time around, so maybe (: ) I don’t think the PLAN gives a very good estimate, but that’s my opinion (akin to many CC’ers)</p>
<p>I got a 25 on the plan and a 34 on the ACT with a bit of studying.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>PLAN is 1-32? You mean projected score right?</p>
<p>Don’t listen to PLAN</p>
<p>25 PLAN (projected 25-28 for ACT)
33 ACT</p>
<p>My daughter’s PLAN predicted ACT range 25-30.</p>
<p>She did 2 pracrtice exams during prepping. Both 31. On actual ACT she got 34.</p>
<p>Here’s what worked for her.</p>
<p>Princeton Review Cracking the ACT. Divided book into 14 sections (roughly 2 hours on each. Did a 2 hour section each Sat and Sun for 2 months before test, plus 2 of the practice exams on her own (they’re in the book) plus one at school.</p>
<p>She said it really wasn’t bad at all…she focused on learning exactly what was wrong with every wrong answer…ended up very happy with a 34 on first (and only) sitting for the test.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>PLAN is 1-32? You mean projected score right? </p>
<p>^
Yes I meant projected score. xD</p>
<p>30 or 31 PLAN, 35 ACT.</p>