without preparing she got this....what about with studying?

<p>Hi everyone! :-)</p>

<p>just a quick question. my sister and i are pretty similar academically. if anything i have had the better luck with grades. My sister took the ACT WITHOUT ANY preparation and she got a 28. I am a junior and i am starting to study now. I have books plus a math tutor plus an online course. basically, im just doing more than her.</p>

<p>So my question is, what do you think the difference could be with studying and adequate preparation? how many points higher, in your opinion, can one expect from flat out studying. My sister did well on the SAT so she kind of ignored the ACT and didnt retake it. Hence why i am asking for your opinions. </p>

<p>enjoy the rest of your summer/start of the academic year!</p>

<p>That sort of thing isn't easy to predict, although the difference between not studying and taking the time to prepare is, imho, great. If you just started, I wouldn't worry about the numbers -- focus on the material. When you've prepared enough with your tutor + books + so on, take the practice tests from the Real ACT Prep Guide to see how well you do.</p>

<p>My best guess is low to mid 30 range?</p>

<p>I don't think there's really a limit to how far you can improve.. I'm a poor example though, I got a 34 with no studying and a 36 three months later.</p>

<p>thanks to both of you! </p>

<p>julyinoh- that is amazing!</p>

<p>I might add that I studied during those 3 months.</p>

<p>Well, if you are only doing a good amount of studying i would say 31 or 32. If you are doing a crazy amount of studying and taking the test multiple times, i would say 33-34. Howevery this is all going on the idea that you and your sister are fairly similar academically.</p>

<p>we are. if anything, my family thinks i am the stronger student (she really pushes me because she was waitlisted at her top 3 schools, bates, colby and providence) </p>

<p>on the SAT she received a 2010. 780, 780 and 450. the first 2 were english related and the awful 450 is math. </p>

<p>i am stronger in math and about equal in english. i am also stronger in science.</p>

<p>so who knows, i am studying for SATs and ACTs now and i am first taking one of the tests in April i believe. i want to take it earlier, and i think i should. any one else have an opinion about that?</p>

<p>I took the pretest once the first time while listening to music and got a 31. Took a couple pretests the second time and got a 33</p>

<p>Well, if you're studying for it now, it might be a good idea to take it earlier (unless you haven't covered some of the math the ACT tests yet). It's hard to stay focused studying for the exam for many months. But I guess it depends on your level of dedication/ motivation.</p>

<p>true. im studying now in part because i want a math review for precalculus and because i will be VERYY busy when school starts. i honestly dont have any free time with my sport etc. so i was going to get a head start and keep studying, just not as hard</p>