Preparing for the ACT

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I am a junior who is planning on taking the ACT in February. I just took the ACT's official online practice test from the company's website.</p>

<p>ACT English - 26
-Usage/Mechanics (29/40)
-Rhetorical Skills (31/35)
-Subtotal: (60/75)</p>

<p>ACT Math - 34
-Pre-Alg/Elem. Alg (23/24)
-Inter. Alg/Coord. Geo. (18/18)
-Plane Geo./Trig (17/18)
-Subtotal: (58/60)</p>

<p>ACT Reading - 34
-Social Studies: (19/20)
-Arts/Literature: (19/20)
-Subtotal: (38/40)</p>

<p>ACT Science - 33
-Subtotal: (38/40)</p>

<p>Composite: 31.75 -> 32</p>

<p>When I took this test I did not take it under test conditions. I know this wasn't wise to do, but I just wanted to get a general feel for the test. If I recall correctly I finished English (early), Math (extra 3-5 minutes), Reading (extra 15-20 minutes), and Science (extra 10-15 minutes). Also the 2 science questions I missed were completely 100% science based, required prior knowledge.</p>

<p>My plan attack is to study grammar rules for the English section. I believe I could bring up the 29/30 to 35-37/40 on UM and the 31/35 to 33-34/35 on RH with some practice. In addition to that I plan on taking a practice test every Saturday morning leading up to the February ACT.</p>

<p>My question to guys is how do I get quicker at doing the math, reading, and science sections? Is it simply repetition or are there any tricks to speed up those sections, especially the latter two?</p>

<p>Thanks guys.</p>

2

<p>I think the number one trick is to do the easiest problems first instead of trying to handle all of them in chronological order. If you’re not sure how to do a problem right away, save it for later and move onto one you can easily do.</p>

<p>For the science and reading, since both of those involve a lot of reading, you have to concentrate. Clear your mind and read the passage all the way through, ensuring that you understand it. Then start doing the questions, once again answering the ones you automatically know first. The more questions you do, the more familiar you’ll become with the passage, making the harder questions much easier.</p>

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<p>…bump…</p>