Any success stories from people who self-studied the ACT in a month or so?
Please give specific advice, thanks in advance!
Ok - I had a kid that took the ACT once a year from 8th grade on. Self study was at least as good as working with a tutor. I actually think self study would have been better the last time if I could have been involved as a parent to do timing and give hints.
I think the key is to do timed sample tests of individual sections and really dig in and figure out why you got questions wrong. Are you too slow? Time smaller sections and really work to stay in the time constraints per question. Science a problem? There are hints available about timing and ordering to go in. Need math or science concepts review? Check out youtube/khan academy and dig up some review problems.
When my kid worked with several online tutors through a big national service he had an awful experience. It was definitely NOT worth the money. His final score was within 1 point of the first sample test he took before starting tutoring and I think it they would have customized some review and strategy for his strengths and weaknesses particularly he could have even done better. He ended up with a 34, so I can’t complain too much but I give ZERO credit to the tutoring service for that score.
Do you have a friend or a parent that could maybe just run through wrong answers with you and help you analyze what’s going on? If you are totally on your own, do think that can work too but sometimes it’s a little harder to be self reflective about your errors.