<p>Hi there - I'm completely new to the ACT, so I've never so much as taken a practice test for it before. I've prepared quite a bit for the SAT and I'm anticipating above a 2200. Can anyone give me guidance on what I should do for Saturday's test? My goal is at least a 34. My strengths are in math and english. (I have gotten 800's on the math sections on the SAT and I like the writing section of the SAT). Thanks</p>
<p>Well, I am not familar with the SAT but, from what I hear you have less time on the ACT. Also, the questions are more straightfoward. But, you need to bring a watch, premitted calculator and, your registeration paper!! Good Luck!!</p>
<p>I’m in the same position as the OP, never done anything for the ACT, just took the SAT for the second time Saturday. Anybody who’s taken the ACT and scored well have any study tips or test strategies? Only 5 days to prepare… </p>
<p>There’s no vocabulary on the ACT right?</p>
<p>There is very little vocab on the ACT but it’s still present. You MIGHT see like 2 or 3 on the english that say which word ISNT acceptable in the following or something like that. In the reading you’ll get a few questions that will refer you to a specific word in the passage and ask which of the listed words it’s most synonymous to. Nothing like the SAT, nothing to freak about</p>
<p>Yea the lack of a specific vocab section on the ACT is awesome. The math sections of the SAT and the ACT are pretty much the same. I felt like the reading questions on the ACT were all pretty straightforward. </p>
<p>For the science section, DON’T THINK ABOUT SCIENCE!! The science section isn’t about scientific concepts and knowledge as much as it’s about common sense. Don’t get caught up on graphs or worry too much about understanding the experiments they’ll throw at you. It looks way harder than it actually is. I got a 33 on the science section and I didn’t have time to finish the last 10 questions. </p>
<p>You’ll do fine.</p>
<p>ACT questions are more straightforward, but you have to be a little faster (e.g. budget your time more). The reading and writing sections are much easier than the SAT. Math section is about the same, but expect a bit of trig. Shouldn’t be too hard, especially since you’ve gotten 800’s on SAT math.</p>
<p>Also, if you use a TI-NSpire CAS or any other CAS calculator, don’t bring that. The ACT bans CAS calculators.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice guys! I didn’t study at all yesterday, I really need to stop procrastinating. I’m gonna take my first practice test today and see how I do. I’m aiming for a 34+ only based on prior knowledge (because there isn’t much I can do in 4 days), but idk how attainable that is at this point… </p>
<p>My main concern is the essay. I think I can get by on the rest, but the ACT essay is so much different than the SAT one… Looks much more daunting. For one, they give you 4 pages to write on instead of just two. </p>
<p>Anyone who’s taken the ACT w/ writing have any tips?</p>
<p>I’m taking the ACT this Saturday too. What I recommend to you is just take a practice test so you can be familiar with the ACT. The questions are straightforward. You just need to learn how to do it fast.</p>
<p>Being prepared for the SAT doesn’t necessarily mean you’re prepared for the ACT. The format for the tests as well as some of the areas that they focus on are somewhat different, so you need to do some preparation for the ACT so you don’t come across any surprises on Saturday. I suggest buying a prep book, even though you only have a few days left, just so you can get the most out of the time you have left and make yourself familiar with the test. If you really stick to it, you can get through the whole thing. You should buy one that has lots of tips and different testing strategies as well as several practice tests. I would suggest the Kaplan Premier 2012. I’ve been studying it since last week and have found it very helpful. I’ve also tried Barron’s and Cliff Note’s, which I didn’t like as much. Good luck.</p>
<p>Like some people have said, the ACT needs to be done at a very fast pace. I went into my march ACT without knowing anything about it and ended up with a score a lot lower than what I wanted because I ran out of time on the English and math sections. I would suggest doing AT LEAST one or two full practice exams as the pacing is much, much different than the SAT. It’s more like 4 marathons rather than 10 sprints. Just practice, practice, practice as much as you can in the next three days and you shouldn’t have any trouble getting in the high 30’s.</p>
<p>^ Love the simile there</p>