Hey CC:
I just checked my June ACT scores and compared to a practice test in my PR book I took the week prior to the actual ACT, I’m pretty embarrassed. I’ll have my practice exam score in parenthesis:
E 30 (33)
M 29 (34)
R 18 (28… and this has always been my lowest score because I have a hard time reading…)
S 25 (33)
How could I possibly raise my score (especially in reading and science)? My goal score would be a 32-33 composite.
Thanks for helping.
Your composite is not terrible for a first try! Many had difficulty this last round with science score. Also, since the science section is mostly reading, any reading issues you have will show up there as well. Is your reading problem an identified issue (such as dyslexia) that could get you accomodations? One tip for the reading section is to skim the questions before you read the piece, so you have an idea of what to look for.
Identify why you missed questions. Did you not know the answer? (study content) Did you misread the question? (address the reading issue, do lots of practice tests so you will get used to the way they ask questions) Or did you run out of time to answer? (work on time management - always do all your practice tests with a timer)
The new SAT might suit you better. 50% of the score is Maths and reading and writing are combined together for the other 50%. Good luck!
I never been to any physician to see if I have dyslexia, ADD or ADHD. Should I go to see if I can get a diagnosis…? I often get distracted while reading (and this only occurs on the reading section). I never really practiced the reading section compared to the other sections as I fear of doing poorly.
Do you time yourself when you practice? Knowing how to pace yourself is very important on the ACT.
First. Don’t be embarrassed by your scores. The ACT Test isn’t where you start… it’s where your score is when you are applying to college. That being said, the level of difficulty on practice tests varies widely. If your PT came from the ACT Red Book, then it isn’t surprising your scores were lower. The tests in the old version of the book (and some sections of the recently revised new Red Book) are quite old, and as such are easier than the tests given today. My advice is to view June as your first “official” PT and use those numbers as a baseline from this point going forward. The best way to practice reading is to READ every day. Books, newspapers, magazines, and even internet articles all work. Don’t drive yourself crazy doing endless PTs in reading when instead focus on working to more quickly comprehend what you read on an everyday basis. Finally, if you think you’re going to stink at reading… you will. If you think that it’s a weak area but it can be greatly improved on future tests… then you’ll improve.
For the reading test, underlining and circling really helps! Underlining main ideas really helped me since most of the questions were about main points and how it relates, etc. Also underlining things like figurative language or important dates/people is helpful. Basically anything that seems like it would be asked, which you’ll develop a sense of as you take more and more tests.
And for the science, I never really read the passages unless a question specifically asked about something from it (like a certain procedure or scientific controls, etc.). Most of the questions are about the graphs and data, so I always answered those first by just going back to the figure mentioned. After that, I would answer the text-specific questions.
Also, do the science passage about opposing viewpoints from scientists first since your brain is still in the reading test mode and apply the same strategies like underlining, circling, etc.