<p>I know a 20 isn’t as much as most people aim for, but its a minimum score requirement for my first choice college. Problem is, I’m very behind in and TERRIBLE at math, and the science portion seems very intimidating. I’m great at Reading though, and reasonably good at English. I estimate that I’ll probably make a 14 (MAYBE) on the math portion. Perhaps a little higher but not much in science. And mid-high 20s in reading and english. Is a 20 attainable for me? I don’t know much Algebra or anything but Id like to take the test once in a few months (Im a junior) to get the feel for it and know what Im getting myself into before I take it seriously in my senior year. Good idea or no? Its all stressing me out. This college is really the only one that I like and if I dont get in I’ll have practically nowhere else to go.</p>
<p>Many colleges have requirements for each of the sections, so don’t focus solely on the composite and try to compensate for bad math scores with good English and reading. Study hard for the math section and get it up. </p>
<p>I watched videos and did practice exercises on Khan Academy to learn math for the ACT. It really improved my score a lot! The teaching is a lot different than you get in school and it makes more sense to me. If you want to take the ACT in a few months (December would be a good time), I’d recommend starting now with the pre-algebra videos and master at least one topic daily. At that rate you should get through the pre-algebra videos and a good chunk of the algebra & geometry videos. I wouldn’t worry about the trig videos - trig is only 4 of the 60 questions.
<a href=“https://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic[/url]”>https://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic</a>
<a href=“https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra[/url]”>https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra</a>
<a href=“https://www.khanacademy.org/math/geometry[/url]”>https://www.khanacademy.org/math/geometry</a></p>
<p>I’d also recommend a prep book, preferably the red book (Real ACT Prep Book), for practice on all 4 sections and practice tests. There are 5, so you can use one as soon as you get it for a diagnostic test. You may think you’ll get a 14 on math, but in reality it’ll probably be much different. You have aspirations for college, you’re clearly a smart kid and just underestimating yourself. So take the diagnostic and see where you truly are, not where you think you are. Then do the prep in the book, watch the Khan Academy videos and do the practice exercises, practice proofreading papers in your English class this year, read some science articles. Then a few weeks after, take another practice test to see how much you’ve improved, and so on. Save the fifth practice test for the week or so before the test, and do it under real conditions just to get used to the test and you can have a good expectation of your score. </p>
<p>I definitely think you can get a 20+ Composite AND 20+ section scores. Go for it! Just have a little confidence in yourself!</p>
<p>If I were you I’d start taking it seriously now rather than wait for your senior year. It’s so reliving to get the minimum score that you need to attend the college you want to go to. </p>
<p>I’d take it at least once or twice your junior year. </p>
<p>Some tips for math: Watch the pre algebra, algebra, and geometry videos from khan academy (or patrickmjt of youtube). Learn all the angle rules for complementary angles, angle measures when angles are intersecting each other, and angles of triangles + rectangles. Learn basic trig (Sine= O/H Cosine= A/H Tangent= O/A) and how to find the answers using your calculator (using the inverse trig/^-1 function of a calculator for angle measures), learn how to do systems of inequalities using a graphing calculator (saves alot of time and eliminates mistakes), and learn how to do probability problems. (you could also learn the rules for vertical and horizontal asymptotes because, that’d take you about 2 minutes to learn and there is sometimes a question on that) </p>
<p>If you start taking is seriously now your score will be way higher than 20+</p>
<p>This college only looks at composite scores.</p>
<p>And I am taking it seriously, I just meant that the first time I take it I’m not gonna get a great score, but Ill at least know exactly what to do and what not to do the second or third time, etc.</p>
<p>While your #1 choice only looks at composite - most schools don’t. You are only a rising junior and there is a LOT of time to change your mind. I changed from being deadset on my state flagship to having a list of ultraselective schools and now a list of mainly OOS publics. You never know what you will want 2 years from now, so keep your options open. So definitely try to get good scores in all sections. One low subscore will drag your composite down a lot, so focus on the math to take some pressure off on the other sections. I’m sure you are more than capable of a 18-20+ on the math section if you have a little confidence :)</p>