I’m a graduating high school senior but I’m not quite making the cut for a $10,000/year state scholarship and I really, really need to make it.
My previous tests have been outstanding in all of the areas except reading. Here’s my last one, from October:
E: 32
M: 36
R: 24
S: 31
C: 31
My reading stays the same but somehow my math keeps going up (can’t anymore lol). I need to get a 32, and the subject with the most room for improvement is definitely reading.
What’s the best way to bump it up just a little? If I can get the same scores and bump reading up to a 28, that would get me the scholarship. A lot would be awesome but I don’t have a lot of time to set aside to it since I’m taking 5 concurrent AP courses.
Thank you!!
I should also add that I have done much better superscored, but I have no idea:
Superscore:
E: 32
M: 36
R: 30
S: 33
SSC: 33 (32.75)
@mrroadstar check your PMs
Well it all kind of depends on how fast of a reader you are. Different strategies work for different people. What I did starting out was take practice tests and for each test, try out a different strategy each time.
For me this strategy works the best (and i did pretty well so maybe its awesome for everyone): Read the whole passage thoroughly. Don’t skim it. It takes more time to re-read it for questions if you don’t read it well enough the first time. Try to get interested in the subject and take note of the purpose, author/narrator, and overall tone/feeling because those are questions that are often asked. When answering the questions I go with my first instinct, unless it’s a specific question I can go find the answer for. This makes sure you will finish. I often get done with reading pretty fast because of this, so I can go back to the questions I was unsure of without the stress of finishing.
Also doing a fast skim of the questions before you read is also helpful because you know what you’re looking for.
I got a 36 on the reading section (composite 35) and the strategy I used was to read the passages quickly but carefully, and then answer the questions that pop up from memory. I also liked reading my favorite kind of passage first, because then I’d understand and get through it quicker, and have more time to answer the questions for the passages I don’t like.
I didn’t like skimming the questions because then I’d latch too much onto the details instead of the big picture, so I’d deliberately cover the questions up and read the passage.
Good luck!
@Shortstack17 and @Shuisazn offer the best advice you could get. While taking the ACT, I switched methods halfway through the reading portion. I spent much less time when I read through the entire passage to begin with than I did when I was searching for the answer to each question. The prior is how the exam is designed, as it tests your reading comprehension.
Are you taking AP Lang? If so, it would be a good idea to practice the multiple choice section so you could be prepared for the May 13th exam and the ACT.
Good luck!
Recently pulled it together with the reading
C: 33
E: 35
M: 33
R: 30
S: 35
Also I took AP Lang already, I’m taking AP Lit now.