<p>I'm a rising senior and both my SAT and ACT scores are horrible. (1420/20) I took a prep course for the SAT during my junior year and I only boosted my score by about 200 points. I took the ACT back in June for the first time and I didn't find the exam to be difficult, but I just wish I had more time for each section. I personally prefer the ACT over the SAT and I currently have the red book, the Gruber's book and the PR 1,296. I've done a bunch of practice sections/tests hoping to boost my score up to at least a 25, but the timing is killing me. Most schools I'd like to apply to require at least a 26, but I would like at least a 28 for scholarship purposes. As of right now I'm registered for the September ACT and I may register for October too, but my mom also thinks that I should give the SAT one more try. I feel like time is running out and my low score is going to hurt my admission chances at just about every school I want to apply to. I don't know what to do.</p>
<p>From what I can see, SAT 1440/2400= ACT 20 <a href=“HugeDomains.com”>HugeDomains.com;
so you have performed pretty much the same on the two different tests. I would choose one and practice a lot to improve your speed. The more tests you do, the faster you will get, and you’re score will go up.</p>
<p>I think that I may just stick with the ACT, because I have 13 days until the September exam and 55 days until the October exam. I’m not sure if December will be an option.</p>
<p>Regarding doing practice exams, you should focus on answering the questions correctly rather than pacing. Focus on answering the questions correctly regarding than quickly. And equally as important is to figure out why you got the problems wrong.</p>
<p>I have done two official ACT practice tests (got 26 first, 28 second), and my biggest problem is running out of time and the reading section. </p>
<p>Finally, how flexible is your school schedule? I think you need to find every opportunity to get some studying done, not just at home. And ask yourself, do you need help with test-taking and pacing, or do you need help on the concepts being tested?</p>
<p>My schedule isn’t too busy this year, I actually get dismissed a period earlier so I can get home quick to study. On Monday’s and Wednesday’s I have a college course and thursday I run the music club at my school.</p>
<p>Here’s the best advice I have for time problems:</p>
<p>English: Read the questions as quickly as you can but make sure to read the passage as you’re going along. If you get stuck on a question, immediately circle it and continue on. When you go back to them, eliminate any obviously wrong choices. Usually, the shortest answer is the best one but definitely not always.</p>
<p>Math: Use your calculator as much as you can. You’ll save a lot of time by doing computations and work in your calculator rather than writing it all out, plus it’s more accurate than trying to multiply 2 digit numbers on paper.</p>
<p>Reading: Read the passage carefully once and take special care to note specific information and also try to gauge the purpose of the passage. By doing this, im able to answer at least 5 questions under 2 minutes because i dont have to go back to the passage. </p>
<p>Science, Ignore the introductory information in each “passage.” Skip right ahead to the questions. It makes no sense trying to look at all the graphs and charts before the questions because you really have no idea what the questions are going to ask. Except for the conflicting viewpoints passage, then treat that like a reading passage.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips. Do you mind pasting them in my ultimate act test taking tips thread? I’m trying to compile a list of tips for all to benefit from.</p>