WHY ME: ACT/SAT Strategies

<p>I'm a very bright student. One of the top in my class, but when it comes to standardized tests such as the ACT/SAT I bomb out. I have gotten three 20's my junior year. To be honest I really don't study hard for the because I don't know what to study. Half of the stuff in the prep books aren't even on the test. I want to pull my score up by 8 pts. I really cana do it if I had the proper help. There aren't any prep centers where I live and it costs too much to get a tutor. Princeton is looking at me in Track, and I will feel pretty awkward applting there with these scores. The coach says everything else from academic to honors is solid. These tests are really confusing. SO can anyone please help mee. I'm desperate for assistance. Thanks.</p>

<p>Likewise, I need to boost my ACT score, 5 points+.</p>

<p>Yeah, I need to boost my SAT scores by about 300 points haha...
What is it that troubles you? I think writing (for the SAT) would be the easiest to boost up, and if you were really up to it, you could also boost up the C. Reading if you devote time to prep book. Also, allow yourself plenty of time before you take the actual test, for preparation is key in these tests- since they are very coachable. I don't know if math would be very easy to bring up, because every prep book I have read through does not help very much when it comes to the hardest questions in each section. Also, some of these books (if not all) rely much on guessing (through process of elimination), but in reality, it is not enough to get a desirable score after a certain point (750+ maybe). Don't take everything I have said literally, for I am still learning myself, but from my experiences, this is what I have gathered. Good luck!</p>

<p>what materials are you using? pr's act book is awesome and a lot like the test. did you try official tests too? do an online course if you can't find one near you.</p>

<p>i cant seem to do well on my SAT's. I keep on getting 1670 over and over again... i always think i did well but when i get my results, its the complete opposite... waht should i do???</p>

<p>please help</p>

<p>I got a 21 ...rose it to 32. it is SO Possible</p>

<p>ACT. </p>

<p>SAt...kinda impossible.</p>

<p>CHANMAN! I need your help! how did you do it!? 21 to 32~!?!? how!?</p>

<p>Can we assume that all of you asking for help on the SAT have done all the practice tests in the blue book, at the least?</p>

<p>english and math are VERY [possible to raise ur score</p>

<p>u just have to KNOW the grammar/senteces stuff to begin with though.
if you don't, then it'll be harder
and u just figure out what type of questions they ask u</p>

<p>Math...it's just a math test at school
study the stuff and take it</p>

<p>reading...now that's the hard thing. i am still getting like 26s 27s in reading...it's killing my score
because it's the "actual" stuff that ACT tests you. it's how much "understanding" you have. English/Math = Formula. memorizeit, know it,and you're done.</p>

<p>but reading, u cant really "memorize" the material. you have to "understand it".<br>
same with science</p>

<p>My last psat/sat scores are like this. Math: 700s Verbal:500s Writing:600s
This is only 1800!! I need to improve PLZ help</p>

<p>Yay! the non 99th SAT percentile CC ppl are coming out!</p>

<p>Get one of the test prep books (I like PR myself) and just read through it.</p>

<p>Chanman, that is the GOAL that I have set for myself. I was afraid to say it almost. I really need that 32 this DEC or OCT. </p>

<p>The book that I am studying with now, if anyone wanted to know is KAPLAN with the CD-RoM. I am also taking math courses over the net which I just started in JUNE. It's a program called Aleks. (<a href="http://www.aleks.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.aleks.com&lt;/a&gt;) is the site. It's very affordable and helpful. I college program I was at helped me, but although math is a problem it's not my major concern
I cannot read the graphs in the science section of the ACT. They are soooooooo confusing. Also since I am a slow buyt thorough reader it's hard for me to get past the second section in reading. Science and Reading are the two most hardest sections I face when it comes to the ACT.
According to my PSAT, I think if I converted correctly my score would be a 1240 on the SAT. My index score was a 130. CR-38, Math-41 Writing 51. So you can see readng is not my forte.</p>

<p>I usually start guessing after question 30 in the math science and reading sections.</p>

<p>So how can Improve my study habits, and scores from the 20 average?</p>

<h2>phew, I thought I was the only person with non awesome standardized test scores.</h2>

<p>Anyway, chanman--what books did you use?</p>

<p>Have you been taking practice tests to figure out what you are doing wrong? What scores have you gotten in the english, math, reading, and science? I have that Kaplan book, and I really didn't like it, I suggest a different book. I will try and help you if you post your stats. (btw - i started out with a 22 and now at 27. I probably plan to get higher this oct)</p>

<p>Ivy, 99% of the people have non-awesome standardized test scores, definitely don't worry about it. Like many others have said, CC is definitely not a good place to compare scores.</p>

<p>:)</p>

<p>i don't like KAPLAN either. It';s useless and in no way compares to the real test</p>

<p>I used ARCO last time when I got 27, it is more indepth and better than KAPLAN. I would suggest you to go to a bookstore or something and look at each book. Whichever book you seem to like and feel comfortable with is the one you should get.</p>

<p>You could always try The Real ACT Prep Guide..since it's by the makers of the actual test and all...</p>

<p>You can also get a CD-Rom for test prep from ACT.org. for $25.00. I was going to order it as I felt that was the best way to get my d to improve her score. She already took Kaplan SAT course, and I don't think she wants to go through more classroom instruction. Only problem is the Actual ACT- program is not compatible with Windows XT. So we got the Barrons book with the accompanying CD-Rom for about $30. My d is away for summer, working in camp so I can't tell you if it is any good. But hey- it only costs $30 with the Barrons study guide. --- You mean there is hope for a kid who gets 21 on the ACT??? We'll be ecstatic with a 24. The SAT's/ACT's are also THE PROBLEM AREA for my kid. Good luck to all.</p>