<p>Hey guys!</p>
<p>This forum has helped me out a lot so I want to return the favor. I took the ACT for the first time in June and scored a 35. I’m willing to answer any questions you may have regarding studying or preparing for the test.</p>
<p>How much of a time period should be given to studying for the ACT?</p>
<p>It really all depends. The majority of the ACT is already learned information. The real key to doing well is learning the types of questions they will ask and how to respond to those questions.</p>
<p>While every ACT is different, the types of questions asked usually remain the same. I would recommend purchasing the Official ACT Study book with practice test.</p>
<p>I would spend roughly 12 hours (broken up into different days of course) just reviewing the types of questions. The book will tell you the types of questions. Then, I would take a practice test (4 hours?). Try taking the full length of each test just like the real thing.</p>
<p>So you’re telling me it would take me maximum 30 hours to be ready for the ACT (12 hours reviewing, 16 hours doing tests (4 tests))? :o</p>
<p>Science is my worst section. Can you give me any tips on how to improve? I tended to freak out because of the jargon. Thanks!</p>
<p>Bump</p>
<p>There are usually three different types of questions in the science section. Two of them are based on graphs and charts while the other one is primarily two written hypotheses that you have to compare. Do the graph and chart problems first as usually they are the easiest. Usually, the answers are given, you just have to interpret the graph to find them.</p>
<p>For the comparing hypothesis part, try writing margin notes of the basic points to each side’s argument. This makes comparing them a lot easier.</p>
<p>Any others?</p>
<p>How to get a 10 on the writing portion? </p>
<p>I can do well on the reading without timing, but I cant with timing because i cant finish four passages in only 35 minutes. What can i do to improve my reading skill or speed? thank you so much:)</p>
<p>How do you practice for the ACT essay portion? How can you ‘grade’ yourself?</p>
<p>Also, is the English section’s final score a combination of your English Section+Essay? If so, how do they combine it?</p>
<p>@Dannnn
It’s a separate score. You get a english/writing score out of 36, giving your english score 2/3 weight and your writing score 1/3 weight. So if you got a 36 in english and a 10 on writing your english/writing score would be 34. Sample act score report:</p>
<p>36 composite</p>
<p>36 english
36 math
35 reading
36 science</p>
<p>English/writing score: 34</p>
<p>@austin23 - Oh! I see. So your composite score doesn’t actually take the Writing section into consideration?</p>
<p>That’s right, Dannn! It’s just for colleges to see your writing abilities. It does not affect your total score. </p>
<p>Youngandtired, Did you learn through any courses such as testmasters or did you watch any youtube lessons? Or did all you really do is sit down with the ACT Real Study Guide? I’ve never really liked reading the book,and to be honest, I’ve only used it for the practice tests. However, I didn’t really give it much of a chance. Is it really worth a read? Also, did you purchase any other prep books? Please let me know EVERYTHING you did to prepare. I seriously need a 35-36 on this.</p>
<p>Yes, reading is definitely a challenging section. The goal is not to speed read- per se- but to read efficiently. What I mean by that is skimming the passage for main ideas, themes, topics, and other key words. So while it does help to read at a quick pace, you don’t necessarily need to read every sentence to get the major themes and ideas which will be used in the questions.</p>
<p>I only used the Official Real (or whatever it’s called) book. Yes, it is a pain, but it does show you the types of questions to expect. After reading it through and taking some practice tests, you understand which types of questions will be asked and how to answer those types of questions.</p>
<p>This is a great site with an overview on what to expect, but don’t rely on it. Use the book and practice tests, and you will do fine.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.testinfo.net/act/act-tips.htm”>http://www.testinfo.net/act/act-tips.htm</a></p>
<p>@youngandtired
thank you so much.</p>