Wow...my score was literally horrible...what the heck did I do wrong?

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
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<p>I just checked my score, and I got a composite 23.
From what I remember, it went like this
E-21-24...dont remember exactly
M-24 or 25
R-28</p>

<h2>S-17 or 18</h2>

<p>What the heck did I do wrong? I thought I did okay (at least a 27/28). Im scared now because I want to get into some good schools (cal poly/some middle tier UCs). I got a 1740 on my SAT basically in part to my horrible CR score(520). I am retaking the SAT in May, and will hope to get a 600+ on CR to improve my superscore and bump up my math which was a 600 to like a 650. </p>

<h2>I think my main problem on the ACT was the timing. I thought everything was great in the first section(english), until I hear the proctor announce 2 minutes left and being onnly 3/4 done (I had to randomly fill in about 10 of them). Then came the math which I didnt have time for about 5-6 of them. If I remember correctly, I guessed on a whole section for the reading cuz I only remember reading the music one, the prose, and the ice age one. It turns out I did fairly well on the Reading despite my crappy SAT CR. The Science just confused the hell out of me. I did okay on the first section of it, then came that bubble crap which screwed me up immensely. I had no idea how to read it or tell what came when and how etc. I did not have enough time for the last section (the contrasting viewpoints) so I guessed on all of those points. The writing was fine for me, but we have yet to get those back.</h2>

<h2>Now, my question is. Can anyone help me? What do you think I could do to improve? I am feeling quite depressed right now as I do not think my scored are up to par to go to the colleges that I want to go too. What makes situations worse is the fact that my girlfriend gets way better scores than I do(she got a 2000 on the SAT w/ no prep at all). Now take into account that the only prep I had was cramming the night before the test for 2 hours until 1 AM. Perhaps I can try getting more sleep. Maybe eating a more nutritious breakfast (i had some cereal with no milk). </h2>

<h2>As far as timing goes, how can I improve? I am a really slow test taker in school. I used to be fast back in elementary school/middle school, but now I find that I question myself a lot as teachers have somehow built that into me. Its almost as if I check the question as I do it. What do you guys suggest I do? Take practice tests and time myself? Go with my gut instinct and move on?</h2>

<h2>I am really at a loss here as to what to do, so I will take any suggestions I can get. I would really like to improve all of my scores. Here are the strategies I used on test day after reading some succesful strategies</h2>

<p>English - none really. For most of the ones I wasn't sure on, I just picked what sounded best to my ear.</p>

<p>Reading - I read a question, then looked for it in passage. I do not know if this was successful or not, sometimes I felt lost and hurried because of this strategy. Anyone care to comment on it? </p>

<p>Math - No strategy. Anyone have one? </p>

<p>Science - I took peoples suggestions from here and read the question then refered to the graphs. For me, I dunno why this did not work. Especially for that bubble one, I had no idea what to do. I read the question, then refered to the graphs only to not find what I wanted. Any suggestions?</p>

<p>Writing was fine for me, as I usually excel in that topic. </p>

<p>-
Thanks for taking the time to read this. It would mean a lot to me if you could give me some constructive criticism and help me out. Thanks a bunch!</p>

<p>Feel free to message me on AIM to directly talk to me if you want to help me out.</p>

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<p>I agree that one of your problems was the timing. I have problems with the timing as well, so everytime I take the test I constantly have to remind myself that I have to keep going and moving along the test, rather than check my answers or doubt myself or whatever. You just gotta pick an answer and keep moving along (and then if you have time at the end of the section go back and check). </p>

<p>The science is my worst section. This last ACT I got a 28 on the science (which is pretty good for me), although I just finished on time. I don't even read the passages in the science and I go straight to the questions. The passages just confuse me and try to trick me and I think it's better just to go straight to the questions and then refer back to the passages if you need information.</p>

<p>Practicing until 1 am and not eating a good breakfast definately affected your score. You really need a good night's sleep to be completely refreshed and a good breakfast in the morning. You should also bring a snack for the breaks.</p>

<p>Another suggestion I have is that you should definately study grammar for the English section. They try to trick you by getting you to pick "what sounds best". Many times, what sounds best is not the correct answer. Study subject/verb agreement, prepositions, etc. My freshman year, my Honors English teacher was obsessed with grammar and forced us to do tons of it every day...I hated it at the time, but it really paid off for the English section of the ACT.</p>

<p>Hope that helped! :)</p>

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<p>who8me: We should be good friends. You and I are on the same page. I got:
Math-1st time-31, 2nd time-33, 3rd time-34
science-19( only took it once) I got like 85 percent or more of what i answered right, but a lot of questions i did not answer.
reading-i have no clue but if i took it probably a 19 cause i suck at it.
writing- 1st itme-27, 2nd time-28</p>

<p>so my lowest overall would be 31+19+27+19/4= 24</p>

<p>ill take another one soon and tell u how i really do on the reading.</p>

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<p>maybe you can give me a couple of tips on reading, like specific tips and i can give u tips on math.</p>

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<p>There really aren't "tips" for the ACT like there are on the SAT... just really plug along and do some timed practice.</p>

<p>And sleep is always good!</p>

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<p>I know exactly what you mean. I thought I did really well in English, and then checked my scores and found out I got a 24 in English. I also did horrible in each of the other tests, but at least everyone can take the test over and over again, until we can get a score we are satisfied with. June ACT... here I come.</p>

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<p>I did an all time worst on the Reading section. What is the best way to do the reading? Should you look at the questions first, then read? Or read and then look at the questions? I always read first, but have to look up all the answers anyways, and run out of time.</p>