<p>How close were the scores you got on your practice tests to the actual score you got on your ACT? And, how long did it take you to see improvement in your practice scores, assuming you were doing the proper studying methods?</p>
<p>I’ve taken a few tests now, and I’m literally getting the same scores on everything. 30 English, 26 math, 33 reading, 27 science…</p>
<p>It depends on which book(s) you are using for your practice tests. If you are using the Real ACT book, your actual scores should be probably within 5ish % +/-. That is presuming that you have been practicing with real time constraints and in one sitting. Taking one portion today, a different portion some other day, may not correspond as directly to your real score. Do you have the stamina? </p>
<p>Some test prep books may artificially inflate/deflate your scores as compared to the actual ACT exam.</p>
<p>With the consistency in scores you are getting, it should be obvious to you what subjects you need to really spend time working on. Make sure you are reviewing your answers (both guessed right and wrong answers). </p>
<p>Thanks for the response. I need to work on math a lot obviously and I do seem to be missing the same things each time. I’ve been using the PR Cracking and 1296 questions books.</p>
<p>MIne scores were very close. I used all Real ACT To practice with. As crazymomster said, practice with a timed tests. People say the PR are very hard tests.</p>
<p>Don’t be afraid to talk to your math teacher… have them explain the concepts of the skills you are missing. Or research for example, pythagorean theorem if that is one thing you are having problems with… look for a lot of practice problems, so that you really understand the concept.</p>
<p>I probably will talk to my math teacher… Perhaps the issue is because I am a year behind in the math compared to my “honors” classmates who are also Juniors, since in Middle School I wasn’t “smart” enough to take Alg 1 in 8th grade, I couldn’t start Geometry as a freshman. Had to take alg 1 fresh year. Now I’m in Alg2/Trig while my classmates are in PreCal/AP calc. I will be taking the test in April, so hopefully I’ll be prepared by then. Math teacher said he would explain all the topics on the ACT by the time the Junior class is required to take it in April. I hope that is true.</p>
<p>If I am studying at least an hour per day, do you think it would be possible to get a 31 composite from my current practice scores? Of course if I study the right way. I’m doing section by section in the PR 1296. I’m not disciplined enough to force myself to actually take a ‘mock’ ACT with the exact time frames and stuff. I’d have to be controlled and timed by someone. However on the previous standardized tests time has rarely been an issue for me, so I’m not too worried about that, but of course I think my school might offer some fake ACT tests that you can take and be timed and stuff. </p>
<p>Either way I’ll still have to take it more than once anyway, since the writing component is not offered at our school in April… I’ve always thought I was pretty good at standardized tests, but oddly enough I got a higher score on my PSAT sophomore year than I did junior year. And if the PLAN is to say anything( a lot of people say it doesnt accurately predict) my practice test scores are the exact same… </p>
<p>My English teacher is all about preparing us for the AP Comp and ACT tests, she says since the AP Comp test is so much harder than the ACT the reading/english sections will be super easy to us by the time we’re done. I hope that’s true. </p>
<p>Sorry about the long tangent. I only started to care about the ACT about two months ago and I’m surprised at how poorly I’ve been doing compared to how well I thought I’d do.</p>
<p>As long as you take official ACT tests under the same conditions as in the real test, meaning all sections in one sitting with normal breaks, the scores will be close to the real exam scores. If instead of taking them at home you take it in a neutral/new place, say the library, then they will be even more accurate. </p>
<p>I used the McGraw 10 ACT PRACTICE TESTS book which is considered to give an inflated score. When I took the test I scored higher than that so go figure. </p>
<p>In general the practice tests you take are harder than the real thing. </p>
<p>After you have thoroughly prepared and reach a plateau, your practice score should be very close to your actual score (assuming you are using a practice similar to a real one). My D did 20-30 practice test and got consistent scores in the last few practices (±1 in each section) and she got exact the same composite score in her first/only attempt (again with ±1 in each section).</p>