There is a lot of pressure in my family to do well on the ACT. Right now I have a 20 math (terrible I know), 30 reading, 34 English and 28 science. Composite 28. I have to figure out a way to raise this or my family is sure to hold it against me! How can I improve in math? I am horrible at it…especially on the ACT mostly because I am a bad test taker. Time isn’t even the issue. I just misinterpret questions easily or have to guess on most of them. What should I do?
Most ACT math questions aren’t really up to interpretation. I’d go through a test you’ve done and identify what you’re missing. It’s likely that in reality, your issue is the content itself. Identify that, and go from there.
Hi Okatef: Buy the Red book (Real ACT guide) and practice, practice, practice. If it is just that you are misinterpreting questions this will help you. If you find that some of the math needs further explanation–you can pair this with another prep book (Barron’s maybe?) that provides more details or use Khan Academy (online) to learn the particular math concept.
I cannot stress enough how much the practice will help you. Set aside a certain amount of time each week to work through a practice test and then go back over the answers. After going over the answers, make yourself re-work through the ones that you missed—even if you know the answer (due to correcting it). The act of working through it correctly will improve your math test taking skills.
I often compare math to playing a musical instrument. When you play a musical instrument, you might “know” where all the notes are…but if you don’t practice your piece correctly…you will continue to hit the wrong notes. Same thing with math. You might “know” how to do something, (ie, seeing the correct answer and explanation after getting something wrong), but if you don’t go back and practice it correctly you are prone to keep making the same mistake.
Good luck to you! You have solid scores in every other category, so you really are in pretty good shape!
@okatef math can be improved by taking practice tests, reviewing what you missed and learning those concepts.
If you need extra practice problems for concepts you may not understand, try the website Varsity Tutors. They also have an app for IPhone.
The website ACT Quantum has video answers for every ACT question. This can also help you to review.
Practice is key! Buy the red book. Also, tutoring/a prep course might be a good option too. I personally asked my english and math teachers for tutoring and they were more than willing to help. Just ask if you can come prepared with questions you’re having trouble with. Google some strategies too and read threads on here written by people who have gotten a 34-36. Are you taking the SAT too?
southernbelle16- Yes I’m taking the SAT as well. According to my practice tests, my ACT will be higher.
HeretoHelpYou- Thank you!!
bjdkin- Thank you for your perspective. Really helpful!