Graduated in 03. Now I've decided to take the ACT. Need advice.

<p>So I’ve been out of school for a while now. I’m 24 and have decided it’s now time for College. I had had a decent gpa of 3.6 in high school but I never took the SAT or ACT. So now I’m horribly out of practice, and honestly I’ve probably forgotten most everything I’ve learned. So what would you suggest I do in order to prepare? I take the test at the end of next month, and I hope to enroll by my school deadline of December 15th. I plan on trying to get into the state university.</p>

<p>Specific book to get that will tell me specific things I need to know and study on? Rather than me trying to re-learn everything.</p>

<p>What would I need to score on the test to even be considered by the University?</p>

<p>Any and all advice welcome.</p>

<p>Local community college with a transfer program to the state universities-no SATs required for community college, affordable, night classes, other students older than average.</p>

<p>I’ve thought about that but I want to go full time. Also I believe I’m at the age I can get grants for school.</p>

<p>Get started before the state money dries up-what state?</p>

<p>Princeton Review and the official ACT book are probably best. But, the math may be tough since you’ve been out of action for ~6 years, and all those pesky arithmetic rules are easy to forget. But, since you are older, the test scores probably won’t count as much. Suggest you consider “adult” colleges at big Unis, which are specifically target those in your situation. For example, Columbia in NYC has a College of General Studies; Boston College has the Woods College. Smith College also had programs for returning women.</p>

<p>You should also check out extension/adult programs at your local Uni. In California, for example, the UCs offer extension courses which also provide a transcript. Take classes thru the extension service for a year, earn good grades, and apply as a transfer to regular status – all courses count. </p>

<p>Post a question on the Parent’s thread, and ask about older students, perhaps for your state. Many parents have a wealth of information.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

<p>Its great to know you’re thinking about college :D</p>

<p>I suggest you to prep for the ACT using online tools and the Official ACT Red Book along with McGraw Hill’s 10 ACT practice tests for some ACT questions. Try scoring as high as possible :)</p>

<p>From which state are you? What is your intended major?</p>

<p>Feel free to ask any questions you have have :D</p>

<p>Thanks for the responses!</p>

<p>I’m from Minnesota and plan to attend the University of Minnesota.</p>

<p>So far it does seem like Math is going to be almost impossible, at this point anyway. I’ve got a lot of learning to do in a short time. Hopefully the school shows mercy on me because I’m an old man :)</p>

<p>I don’t have a major picked out yet. I plan to just take generals for the first year then build from that.</p>

<p>Oh…good that you’re trying for U Minnesota :)</p>

<p>If Math is a problem for you I suggest that you see this:</p>

<p>[YouTube</a> - khanacademy’s Channel](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy#grid/user/31AED425C1B489F6]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy#grid/user/31AED425C1B489F6)</p>

<p>There are video tutorials here on the SAT Mathematics. I suggest you to see and learn the SAT Math also because the topics covered are quite similar to the ACT Math section.</p>

<p>Also here are videos on general Math topics covering Algebra and geometry:</p>

<p>[YouTube</a> - yourteachermathhelp’s Channel](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/user/yourteachermathhelp]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/user/yourteachermathhelp)</p>

<p>Here are some short videos speaking about the ACT Math section in general:</p>

<p>[YouTube</a> - ACT The Math Section](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZipiRq7BsI]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZipiRq7BsI)
[YouTube</a> - Basic ACT Math Strategy](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myQY0jR7GMs]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myQY0jR7GMs)
[YouTube</a> - Standardized Testing : ACT Math Tutoring](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHH-gU5tdZ8]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHH-gU5tdZ8)</p>

<p>You can also visit many threads on College Confidential by students who had difficulty on the ACT Math Section and see what they’ve done for improvement.</p>

<p>You may also try to find a math private tutor (although it may be quite expensive)</p>

<p>Feel free to ask any questions you have.</p>

<p>Best of Luck!!!</p>