<p>I am an international senior who has a perfect GPA, aced 3 AP exams (Calculus BC, Physics C: Mechanics, Chemistry) and 3 SAT Subject tests. Having a strong extra/co-curricular account, and on the course of writing great essays. And no AP courses are offered in my school or in 300 kilometer radius.
Basically, everything seems to go my way but the ACT! I haven't been able to score well on the real deal, 2 times now. SAT is not my thing- I'm not a wordsmith. I'm writing the test in again, but is my concern worth it? ACT hasn't improved my skills a tad; just feels like I'm wasting hours. And the ultimate question: Will low scores-like a 28-affect my otherwise great application considerably? </p>
<p>Are your subject tests also in math/science areas? And were your ACT subscores all similar (e.g. around 28) or were you very strong in some areas and weak in the others?</p>
<p>It depends on which colleges you apply to. 28 would be on the low side for most of the top schools. Also depends on your ethnicity. If you’re thinking Ivy League then try to get it up to at LEAST 30 range, even that would be considered low. </p>
<p>What’s your biggest problem on the ACT? Is it the English/Reading sections? It seems like you’re proficient in the math/science areas. </p>
<p>Thanks for reality, @Poohbah29 and @jdroidxw
Actually, it’s more of a luck issue than efficiency and readiness. I haven’t been able to keep scores up in the areas of my domain too, except the official practice tests. My subject tests were Physics, Chemistry, Math 2; they don’t really sync with my scores. I’ll dissect my score card:
First attempt: E28 M32 R19(proctor issue) S28
Second attempt: E26 M32 R26 S26
Logically, my second attempt went worse than my first, whereas I was much more prepared for the latter.
And yes, I’m applying to Ivies and other top schools. Can ACT completely switch decision when other things are pointing towards an acceptance?</p>
<p>You can definitely raise your English score with the right studying. When I took ACT I got a 29 but raised it to a 34 the second time I took it. Grab the Barrons 36 ACT book; they have a great English review/practice section. </p>
<p>My math score went from a 29 to a 34 (same as English); I had finished calc when I took the ACT so my math skills weren’t weak. It turns out I was just making a lot of silly errors. So try to figure out what’s going wrong (needing review, working too fast making errors, etc). </p>
<p>As for reading, I really don’t have any tips as this was my lowest section. My score actually dropped the second time. This part I do believe is based on luck. My first time I got really interesting, easy articles. My second time they were all horrible.</p>
<p>And it seems as though you should be scoring high on science. Do you know where you’re making the mistakes? Is it a time issue? </p>
<p>Basically, for all the sections…practice, practice, practice. I spent about 2 months practicing which eventually raised my score 3 points. I know 3 doesn’t seem like a lot but you have to be realistic. Most people don’t jump 10 points…but some do. </p>
<p>The ACT really is important. You should be somewhere in the average range. If you’re in the lower 25th percentile, you’ll have a harder time getting in. But even if you’re in the top 25th, it doesn’t mean it’ll be a lot easier. Check out your school choices’ average ACT scores. </p>
<p>@jdroidxw
Thanks for a detailed and thoughtful answer.
I really don’t know where I’m going wrong, because I do good on the practice tests(around 32-33 composite). I got the same Barrons 36 for English and it was great! I bought the Red Book just yesterday and have a month for the review. Let’s see.</p>
<p>At top schools, you’ll be competing against students with perfect/near-perfect standardized test scores, so I would suggest taking the time to raise your score to 30-32+. </p>
<p>Here are a few of my tips:
•English - The internet is your friend here. Spend some time editing Wikipedia, writing quality answers on Quora (consider adding “Please suggest grammar edits” to your signature), answering/asking questions on Stack Exchange’s “English Community,” etc; additionally, get in the habit of using correct grammar on internet forums. Also, use the Red Book to categorize types of questions (e.g. dangling modifier, subject verb agreement, etc.), take some practice tests, and figure out what types of questions you’re missing.
•Reading - ACT made this section easy, just for you; in fact, they put the number one study tip in the title: reading. Seriously, that’s the best advice I can give you: read, and read a lot. Magazine articles, such as those from The New Yorker and The Atlantic helped me a lot here, and they’ll help you too. Again, take practice tests and figure out what kinds of questions you are missing.
•Mathematics - If you’ve done well in mathematics competitions in high school, great! If not, then keep taking practice tests and rechecking the ones you miss.
•Science - Read scientific journals and try to understand the research papers. Realize that each science section is broken up into three types of passages–conflicting viewpoints (one passage; seven questions), research summaries (three passages; six questions each), and data representations (three passages; five questions each)–and study accordingly. Again, practice tests are important, but always revisit the problems you miss.</p>
<p>Since you’re scoring higher on the practice tests, I have two more suggestions for you:
- Take practice tests from the Red Book. These are actual tests written by the ACT folks, so they should mirror the actual test. If you continue to do well (30+) on these, move on to the second suggestion.
- Start taking full-length practice tests at home in “real testing conditions.” This means no music, short breaks between sections, the works. If you can find someone to act as a proctor, great! Either way, keep taking tests in real conditions until it becomes routine.</p>
<p>Anyway, I hope some of these suggestions prove beneficial! By the way, I love your avatar!</p>
<p>@DiscipulusBonus
Haha, firstly, thanks for lifting up the avatar.
English: You have given me a master’s advice, man. The only thing I didn’t try is the one you stated, and I’d love doing it.
Reading: I am usually loose on this section. It really depends upon how appealing the passage is. If it stirs me up, I nail it, otherwise I’m stuck. I am accustomed to read continuous data rather than chunks; that’s where it goes wrong. I’ll try following your advice, though, because I have a month ahead of me.
Math/Science: I don’t know what to do here. I write research papers and do multivariable calculus all day! And I even score perfect on practice tests.
I’ve got the Red Book on my desk lately, and will do as you say. I had already been giving my practice tests in a virtual reality frame and will continue to do so.
Thanks a lot, sir.</p>
<p>And the conclusion is that I NEED to raise my test scores to be competent. Suggest edits if this doesn’t seem appropriate.</p>
<p>P.S. Please suggest grammar edits. :)</p>
<p>If you’re international, the ACT will be a risk just 'cause y’all get screwed over all the time.</p>
<p>However, be aware of trade-offs- don’t prep for the ACT if you could do something more meaningful that’ll translate to your app (like working in a lab, doing something interesting, etc.)</p>
<p>That said, for the ACT, take DB’s advice and a ton of practice tests- like, one a day if you can. Keep adapting your strategy each time. Learning is about knowing yourself, so think about what you could work on and how you could do it.</p>
<p>Gursampannu…these are all excellent suggestions. For the reading section, try circling key words, feelings, characters, etc. as you read along. Even if you circle the wrong item, you’re more actively involved in the material. If you’re a fast reader, you can try scanning the questions first so you know what to look for. This strategy helped my son stay engaged in the “boring” passages (they were all boring to him). Some testers have success spending more time on three sections and picking a random letter for the final section. I believe you need to try out several strategies and see which one is best for you. Good luck!</p>
<p>@gursampannu I’m in a similar situation, except my math was higher.</p>
<p>C:29
E:29
M:35
R:28
S:25</p>
<p>I am improving in english, and I think I am improving in science. IMO, I just want to get my science up.</p>
<p>What are your SAT 2 scores? EC’s? Essay topic?</p>
<p>Do you have any hooks?
If not, then you are in a tough position. Schools like to increase their ranking by admitting students with high scores. However, if the rest of the application is good, then they will admit you. If you improve science, and apply to STEM majors, then you will be fine.</p>
<p>Hey, @manas1997
I have a 2400 SAT Subject score, 5 in 3 AP subjects (self study), and I’m all science- applying for a Physics major. Problem is that my ACT is not low because of inability but rather luck (I know that doesn’t seem practical, but it’s what it is).</p>
<p>And thanks, @slk1022
I’m tightening up for the September ACT; I’ll sure pay heed to your advice 
</p>
<p>All these suggestions are good and hopefully you will raise your scores the next time. As to your question about whether your ACT scores will be an impediment to being seriously considered for the most selective schools, the answer is probably yes. For the highly selective schools you mention, there are tens of thousands of applicants and even those with perfect test scores and grades don’t get in. It is a numbers game and not a reflection on your ability to succeed at that college. That being said, since you are interested in physics, then the good news is that you can get a perfectly good physics education at just about any university and if you are intending to pursue a Ph.D. in physics, then top graduate programs will admit good students from just about any school. make sure you apply to some schools which are not as selective too.</p>
<p>It may also have to do with the fact the test has progressively become harder, so that the practice tests for Reading and Science no longer reflect the actual test…
<a href=“Is the ACT Getting Harder?”>http://www.thecollegesolution.com/is-the-act-getting-harder/</a>
<a href=“Is the ACT Harder? Another Expert Weighs In”>http://www.thecollegesolution.com/is-the-act-harder-another-expert-weighs-in/</a></p>
<p>I’m also a international student who is applying to the top 10 and 15 schools. Like you, I have self studied 5 APs (four 5s and one 4), focused ECS, good GPA and SAT II scores, but a lackluster SAT Reasoning score (750CR, 760WR, 600MA). </p>
<p>The general consensus on CC seems to be that international students are held at higher standards. So you basically have to have super high standardized test scores AND a fantastic overall application. If you are a orm and FA applicant, then it’s going to be even harder. </p>
<p>If you want to get into the top schools, I think it would be really important to bump that ACT up to at least 33.</p>
<p>
Isn’t this contradicting? If it is about numbers, why didn’t overachievers get in? </p>
<p>@HvePassion It’s a mismatch. I got to know about the AP’s just a day before registration deadline, and- afterwards- I planned to apply. Perhaps, I thought I matched up to what the universities needed- an overall person, not a number. I might have stuck with my country if it were just a numbers’ game. Although I have stellar achievements and grades, and I’m regarded as the smartest in my community, it seems like the ACT is tunneling everything down. I cannot help but try again, and again.</p>