Hey CC,
I’m currently going into 9th Grade, and I have taken a few ACT Practice Tests released by ACT. I usually get a 34 composite (34s in everything, Math is sometimes 35 or 36). I am wondering if it is feasible to raise my score up to a 36 Composite. My mistakes are usually questions I knew but made careless mistakes on. Also, are there any good review books/other full-length tests?
Thanks!
If you’re making careless mistakes, then you’re probably having difficulty with your time, & that’s a very easy thing to fix. What I do is I do the easiest questions first(which are usually the smallest questions) & then I do the harder ones. 99% of the time I use this I have at least 5 minutes left to check my answers. And you should defiantly keep trying for a 36, there’s a big difference between those 2 numbers. Good luck! 
I usually have a few minutes left over, and do check my answers, but that is good advice! Are there any other full-length tests that are accurate (apart from Red Book, Online ACT Prep, and the Preparing for the ACT)?
@staticjava I applaud your prepping so early. Do you want to get the testing out of the way?
The best way to study for the ACT is to practice with REAL ACT tests. There are 5 tests in the Red ACT Book, 3rd Edition. They are old, but you will be able to get a good foundation of the concepts tested.
ACT released several tests in booklet form. Use them next.
TIME each practice session to simulate the real test.
English 75 questions in 45 min.
Math 60 questions in 60 min.
Reading 40 questions in 35 min.
Science 40 questions in 35 min
Score your test, and then review only what you got wrong after each practice session.
If you are practicing and but not timing yourself, the scores you are getting are not accurate.
I use The Princeton Review Cracking the Act 2015, its amazing i swear to it & it has 4 full practice tests & good tips & strategies & lessons. Also search ‘How to Get a 36 PrepScholar’ & there’s really good advice & tips by a person who actually got a 36. I hope this helps, & remember there are many different strategies whether its time or content, chose the one best for you! *-
Afaik, Princeton is easier than the real ACT.
Use Barrons to overprep and take released ACTs as they’re the most similar to the test-day ACTs.
There’s not much difference when you hit ~33 range. After you reach that score on the actual test, it’s best to focus on EC’s or essays.
You’re not even in 9th grade. By the time you’re applying for colleges, they could have a completely different exam. This is pointless.
34 is like a 36 as far as colleges are concerned. Once you hit 33-34 there’s really no difference, you get the check on your summary card. Scoring 34 on your first 10th grade test will be more impressive than a 36 later on, by the way.
Start reading Newport’s How to be a high school superstar.
Best thing to do is take the actual test, see how you actually do, then study and re-take as necessary. Practice tests tend to be optimistic.