What's the best way to get a higher score in the math section?

[tsweezy]

<p>So in order to get a scholarship, I need a 28 composite. I have a 27 composite. -_-
Writing = 26
Math = 25
Science = 25
Reading = 32</p>

<p>I figured that I need to improve by 5 points in all the sections combined to get a 28. So I want to try to get at least a 27 or 28 in math.
I have a book with plenty of practice tests but are there any other resources, websites, etc. I should go to for math prep?
Any help would be great. Thanks.</p>

[LoremIpsum]

<p>

Any help would be great. Thanks.

</p>

<p>OK – read the page full of other ACT threads. This question and very similar ones get asked in a new thread every two days, it seems. The info you seek I have posted about several times in the last week over many threads. Take a look!</p>

[raza68]

<p>unlike LoremIpsum, I will actually give u some advice instead of complaining. I would buy Barron’s 36 in order to improve ur math score. They basically cover all of the trickier questions. In addition, get the real ACT prep guide. Practice and go through ur mistakes. Before u know it, ull be at the 28+ range. Most importantly, dont give up. Keep persistently trying for that 28+ until u reach it. When r u taking the test?</p>

[LoremIpsum]

<p>

unlike LoremIpsum, I will actually give u some advice instead of complaining.

</p>

<p>Sigh. It gets incredibly frustrating to spend a lot of time providing an explanation that hopefully will be read by many and then be asked the same questions a few days later by newcomers who can’t be troubled to scan what’s recently been posted. Here’s a link to one set of math and science tips:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/act-preparation/1153491-raising-31-september.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/act-preparation/1153491-raising-31-september.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>And here’s a concrete example, which was posted in an unlikely corner of CC in response to a question:</p>

<p>

Here’s one ACT math problem that looks incredibly difficult – and IS, for most people. Yet it’s one that’s quite simple if you see the shortcut:</p>

<p>If (x + y) = 9 and xy = 14, find 1/x + 1/y
(Note: x, y > 0)</p>

<p>A. 1/9
B. 2/7
C. 9/14
D. 5
E. 9</p>

<p>Most people will try to solve for x or for y so they find both values and then calculate the answer.</p>

<p>That is a mistake and once again shows how looking for an unorthodox back-door solution can help you. YOU DON’T HAVE TO SOLVE FOR X or Y!!! You only need to find 1/x + 1/y!</p>

<p>General Rule: If it looks like it will take a long time to answer, you’re missing the shortcut.</p>

<p>Let’s look at a very basic formula that applies math you learned in 6th grade:
1/x + 1/y = (x + y)/xy
All you have done here is taken 1/x and 1/y and found a common denominator so that you can add the two fractions – just like 1/3 + 1/2 = 2/6 + 3/6 = 5/6, except with algebra variables.</p>

<p>Remember this formula if you can, it should be worth at least one or two quick and easy answers. A variation with a sign change is: 1/y - 1/x = (x - y)/xy</p>

<p>Let’s return now to what you were originally given and what you need to find and put them in the formula. Well, you need to find 1/x + 1/y, which is on one side of the equation. On the other side of the equation, you have:
(x + y) / xy
But you are given (x + y), which is 9 and xy, which is 14. Put this all together and you have:
1/x + 1/y = (x + y) / xy = 9/14
thus: 1/x + 1/y = 9/14, answer C

</p>

<p>It’s not which test prep book you use. It’s how you approach the problems – with strategy in mind, not calculator-crunching intensity. Look for shortcuts, they are common.</p>

[LoremIpsum]

<p>And here’s yet a further extension on the problem above:</p>

<p>

Let’s revisit the problem above, again. Assume for the moment that you’re nearly out of time and can’t remember the formula we presented. You need the “best guess” you can come up with in 10 seconds. Again, look at the problem:</p>

<p>If (x + y) = 9 and xy = 14, find 1/x + 1/y
(Note: x, y > 0)</p>

<p>A. 1/9
B. 2/7
C. 9/14
D. 5
E. 9</p>

<p>Best guess: Find the answer that uses the numbers in each of the givens. C is the only one that has both a 9 and a 14 in the solution. Note that the answer could alternatively contain a reduced fraction of the same value. For example, if (x + y) were to equal 7 rather than 9, your answer would be 7/14, which could be reduced to 1/2.

</p>

[LoremIpsum]

<p>And here’s even a general guessing strategy:</p>

<p>

If I were guessing blindly from a selection of remaining choices, I would favor answers C through E. The ACT is designed to get you to waste time or to select “trap” incorrect answers. Thus it stands to reason that the majority of correct answers on the harder problems will be “down the list,” which causes the student to spend time pondering the earlier choices first. Also, a trap answer is more likely to appear as A or B, where the student may think, “That’s right!” and select it without considering the later choices.

</p>

<p>As an example of the “trap answer” see the question above:
If (x + y) = 9… find 1/x + 1/y</p>

<p>A. 1/9</p>

<p>First answer, obvious quick guess, right? You just flip the value of (x+y) = 9. Easy mistake to make – that answer is, oh, so tempting.</p>

[Vapperss]

<p>@LoremIpsum wow that was actually veryy helpful. Thanks :)</p>