<p>I need to get at least a 28 on the ACT, or a 1270 on the SAT for a scholarship.
I got a 1240 (640M 600CR) on the SAT, and a 26 composite on the ACT.
M: 28
R: 29
S: 25
E: 23
Usage/Mechanics - 13
Rhetorical Skills - 11</p>
<p>I hadn’t studied at all for either of the tests when I took them, but I only really have 1 more chance on each before I graduate. In order to get a 28 composite, I need to improve 5 total points in any combination of areas. I am thinking that I should work on science and English, since those are my two lowest scores. I bought the PR prep book, and I’ve been reading the English and science sections. I realize now that I shouldn’t read the science passages, but should just focus on the graphs. Since the scholarship super scores ACT sections, I am thinking that I should skip the essay, math, and reading sections and just focus on E+S.</p>
<p>Also, I was wondering if anyone has tried taking caffeine pills during the test. I start losing focus when the material doesn’t interest me, and I’m wondering if having the extra “boost” would help at all. I think that the English section is at the beginning and that the science is at the end. I am curious if I would crash when the caffeine wears off (3 hours), or if I could just take another before the science section. I hear that a lot of people drink energy drinks and such, so it should be the same principle. I also understand that it makes you go to the bathroom a lot.</p>
<p>Eat brain food such as Nuts, and Fruits, google Brain Food. And you only have a certain amount of time for each section you have to do all of them, you cant spend an hour on the English test, you might get your test taken away.</p>
<p>Oh, I wasn’t planning on spending the math and reading time to work on the other sections (that’s a nono!). I was just gonna take a rest or something, I thought I wouldn’t wear myslef out as much.</p>
<p>lol. I skipped the writing section (and essay) of the last SAT. They mistimed the test and actually put my scores on hold because they thought I didn’t have time to do the essay or writing sections (despite my massive number of calls to release the scores). I am still a bit reluctant to pay for the ACT after they lost my test . Let’s just say I haven’t had the best luck with standardized testing !</p>
<p>OP, by “skip” do you mean not do additional prep for those sections, or skip the sections entirely (as in not answer any questions in them on test day)?</p>
<p>I would recommend the former and strongly discourage the latter. It’s not going to hurt you to take those sections, and getting two 0s would really mess with your composite score. Plus, it would look really lazy to anyone who receives your test results.</p>
<p>I mean that I wouldn’t answer the questions at all (get 0s). Like I said earlier, I’ve already been accepted into the university I plan to attend, and this is only for meeting the qualifications of a scholarship. I’m only concerned about getting a super score of 28. I am thinking that test fatigue would set in, and by not attempting the other 2 sections+essay I would be able to hold out longer (and not get tired by the science section) and do better on those 2 sections. I wouldn’t be reporting these scores to colleges anyway, and I don’t give a damn what my GC thinks (she already knows I’m lazy!)</p>
<p>Yeah but you have the potential to do better on Math and Reading, What if you got 30 Math 30 Reading 26 Science and 24 English? Thats exactly 27.5=28!</p>
<p>That’s true. Isn’t it easier to improve in the lowest subject areas as depicted by the ACT bell curve though? I would think it would be easier to improve from a 23->25 than from a 34->36 even though they are the same total point differences (2). I would like to get any of these combos:</p>
<p>Also, If I get a 23 on the English section (very unlikely), I will be exempt from taking the English I class.</p>
<p>I would like to note that I have never taken an English class that studies grammar. I have been in technology, math, and science magnet schools from elementary - high school. Basically, English classes go by the wayside and I haven’t really cared about them (all we ever do is vocab). Everything I know about grammar has been learned through what I’ve picked up while having conversations. My friend got a 33C (36E,36M,34R,27S) with absolutely no prep, and told me to just pick what sounds right. While this usually does work, they try to make the sentences as awkward as possible to throw the test taker off (I keep falling into this trap).</p>
. Let’s just say I haven’t had the best luck with standardized testing !</p>