Shocked at my score

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
1

<p>I took the ACT in April and got a 23!! TERRIBLE!!! I prepared for about 6 weeks with my tutors (english and math) and I scored about 26-28 on english/reading on practices and math I never scored myself on...</p>

<p>About 2 weeks before I went on vacation and didn't really crack the books until the end (the week before the test) and instead of using the REAL ACT book, which I had almost finished, I tried Brian Leaf's Top 50 Skills for a Score- both the Math book and English, Writing, Science. I basically completed the books and felt confident that I would do very well. </p>

<p>Test Day arrived I thought I did well, DEFINITELY over a 25 probably high 20s. My friend who was also in my room said that she didn't even study- turns out she got a 26. We are on the same intelligence level- same classes, similar grades, I may even be smarter.</p>

<p>How is it that most people didn't even study and got higher than me (who, I might add get lower grades than I do in school)</p>

<p>Oh, and I took Tylenol PM the night before(because I knew I would have trouble falling asleep)- some people say it may have made me tired & careless.</p>

<p>What happened here? How can I improve my score (to the high 20s) before the June test? I signed up for a class this time...</p>

2

<p>Some people are just better at taking standardized tests. That’s basically it.</p>

3

<p>You should study the books and learn to relax yourself. When you are too nervous you could have trouble to focus, your performance will be affected. Do not take any sleeping pill before the test, it help you sleep but your mind will not be very sharp. 23 is not the end of the world, study it and take it again.</p>

4

<p>I had a similar issue with the SATs. You should try and relax, i did extremely poor on the SATs (1680 1st attempt) because of stress and being too nervous. Then i took the ACTs just to see how it would be, i was more relaxed and i did a lot better. Personally i thought the ACT was focused on timed reading, just study and try to read at a good steady pace. As stated above some students are better at standardized tests but don’t worry. You may improve your score just study but don’t over do it.</p>