The ACT “curve” generates a scaled score (1-36) from your raw score (the number of questions answered correctly). This curve is designed to correct for minor variations in the difficulty of the test. In this way, there is no advantage to getting an easier test and no disadvantage to getting a harder test.
A common myth about the ACT curve is that the average test taker should avoid a particular test month if a large group of strong students will be taking the ACT that month, and instead take the test when a large group of weaker students will take the test. The (incorrect) assumption here is that the curve will push down the average student’s score in the first situation (large group of strong students) and pull it up in the second situation (large group of weak students). The reality is that the curve only reflects the difficulty of that particular ACT, not the quality of students taking the test. For example, suppose that in a particular month, a large group of strong students take the test. Even if they all get perfect 36s, your score will be the same as it was had they not taken the test. In the same way, a large group of weaker students taking the test will not affect your score.
I’ve been using both Barron’s and Red Book and I’ve increased my score surprisingly from a 24–taken last December–all the way to a 32 avg. So happy with my improvements.
Consider using the recently released ACT test for 2015-2016 to fine tune anything the Red Book may have not covered. For example, you may want to try a double passage in reading to make sure your reading skills are solid for those new types of passages. The Red book does not have any for you to practice with.
Has anyone found some good practice prompts for the enhanced writing test, (besides the ones from ACT, Inc.: “intelligence machines” and the one in the 2015-16 free guide) ?
One Sunday morning in September, I convinced several friends to accompany me to a wildlife preserve famous for the remarkable number of Canada geese that stop [during their annual migration] there.
The best placement for the underlined phase is:
@Luharnos maybe the ACT wants the underlined portion next to the subject so it makes it clearer? At a first glance, I thought it was 4 also, but the more I look at it, both could work… Geez I hope these ambiguous questions won’t be on the Sept. ACT
anyone taken the test before know how much time there is between english and math (between sections 1 & 2)? is there like 10 seconds to just flip a page? 30? 1min?
@DTheMei I’m pretty it’s something like the SAT where you have a 5 minute break after each section. Could be wrong though, this is my first time taking the ACT haha
Anyone recommend how to study for the remainder of time starting from Friday. I have completed Barron’s ACT 36 book and have done the first 4 practice tests in the red book. I plan on finishing the 5th on Friday, reviewing everything, and on Saturday doing the 2015-2016 guide. Then on Sunday and Monday do the 2 latest ACT’s from crackact, and then the rest of the week doing 1 section of an ACT test.
There is 10 minute break after Math and before Reading. Bring a protein based snack and a coffee/energy drink, so you have energy for the second half of the test.
