<p>Well, I just received my ACT scores from the April ones our school provided and got a 25, but to be honest I was expecting much worse. The testing conditions were horrible (paper thin barrier next door with classes starting at different times which equalled noise and distraction) and on top of that Ireally couldn't will myself to try.. I was too comfortable (I'm usually nervous) The sad part is, that was my second test; I received a 26 in March and tried very hard on that one and was pretty composed.. and yet I only received one point higher? how sad. </p>
<p>Now, what frustrates me so much is that I'm in all AP classes and ranked in the top 5% of my class and it hurts me so much that all my friends are getting 29+ and I'm stuck with these average scores. Of course, with all my other credentials, I'm shooting for good schools (u of mi, northwestern, etc) and it sucks that I have no chance at getting into them with a 26. </p>
<p>I mean, my family considers me the smart one and when I have to tell them I got a 26 and they respond with... "hmm, I did better than that or That's all?" it just dissapoints me beyond belief. I keep picturing myself telling my family all the good schools I DIDN'T get into, all because of some test score.</p>
<p>I know this is a long read, but how can I improve my scores? I really want a 29/30. I've used prep books extensively.. but any suggestions on which ones?</p>
<p>I think these were my first scores<br>
26-eng </p>
<p>26-math<br>
27-reading<br>
23-science</p>
<p>second
24<em>- eng
27-math<br>
27-reading
22-science
*(I always get 31+ on english in the test prep books, even the real ACT ones *sigh</em>). Science I really suck at, but I think I'm better off improving my reading and english scores to the 30's than working on that. </p>
<p>I think you may be expecting too much from yourself and putting too much pressure. Don't let all of that outside stuff follow you into the testing center. Just go in with a tranquil mind and try to knock it out of the park. I used the Real ACt and Kaplan ACt combo, it was alright, I got like a 31. So yeah, just study hard, go into the testroom prepared, don't worry about your friends and that's really all you can do.</p>
<p>I feel your pain. My friends always score higher than me in standardized tests even though I'm in top 5% of my class and I definitely work my butt off to earn my A's while they do nothing but sleep. But enough about that.</p>
<p>Anyways, I got a 29 on my last ACT. The thing is, you really gotta be ready. Try taking a practice test two days before the test so that you are better fit on the test day.</p>
<p>English and science seem like the two easiest subjects you can improve on. Work on speed for science, go straight to questions instead of reading the paragraphs first. For English, pace yourself and if you score 31+ on practice tests, then you will eventually get that score on the real one. </p>
<p>I know that wasn't much help but to get 29/30, you just gotta improve a little bit. By working on your weakest subjects, you will likely get 4 points higher in that subject(which will result in one point added to the composite score.) It's not that hard to improve your scores when they are in the "average" range. I assume you are already good at Reading so that means that you can also do well in Science. Don't give up on Science just because you are not good at it. With a little bit of practice and concentrating on your speed, you can improve your Science score really easily.</p>
<p>I think it's easier to improve science, dispite what you said about your situation. Go straight to the questions, (except on conflicting viewpoints, read then answer) then you'll have time. English- study grammer rules, commas, predicates, etc. Math- It's (I think, the easiest section). But, all you have to do in math is work fast, find shortcuts (If you don't know it, plug the answers in if you can!), and plainly memorize formulas. Finally, reading- I can't help u cause i suck on this part.</p>
<p>You are in quite a predicament. so next time, be prepared, sit in the middle, and I'm sure you will be fine</p>
<p>I think practice practice practice will do the trick. Not only do practice exams, but do them in different conditions. Maybe try with light music in the background once, see if you can put yourself in the zone and only worry about the test. Put yourself in different situations so you'll know that you'll be ready on test day.
Don't worry too much about it on test day. Stay calm. I always picture myself confidently finishing the test right before I open the test booklet for each section. Also, don't let one section's blunder distract you. Focus on the section you're working on, and you'll do famously.</p>
<p>From ticktock: Maybe try with light music in the background once, see if you can put yourself in the zone and only worry about the test. Put yourself in different situations so you'll know that you'll be ready on test day. </p>
<p>^^
I don't think that's such a great idea.... just because on the real test you can't have music. So if you get too calm during your practice tests, when you get to the real exam, it's gonna be a shocker.</p>
<p>Well, from your post, it sounds like you're a pretty smart student. Can you score a 90%+ on all the practice tests WITHOUT time restrictions? If so, then you definitely have the knowledge to score higher and should instead work on mastering the structure and timing of the test.</p>