Hello everyone, I am going into 11th grade and I was wondering if you guys can help me figure out how to study for the ACT and what I need to apply to my preferred colleges (SAT II, etc.).
Me at a glance:
GPA: 3.93/4.00 and 4.986/6.00
Class Rank: 2
AP Classes: 5 so far, all A’s, 2 5’s, 2 4’s, one 3
Community Service: about 124 hours
Leadership: President of a Club, Coordinator of Club Bionics Program, very anti- NHS pro 4-H
Outstanding accomplishments: I designed a free-running Unix-based operating system and Computer soon to be released. I wrote a Manifesto regarding school policies and students also due to be released soon.
Accolades: AP Scholar with Distinction
Desired Colleges:
U.S. Naval Academy
West Point Military Academy
MIT or CalTech
Duke University
UC Berkeley
Georgia Tech
Davidson College
Occidental College
Gettysburg College
Safety:
UF, UCF, FIU --Broward College as last resort–
What I’ve experienced with the ACT so far:
May 2015: I took the PACT (Princeton Review) in May and I got a 24 on it. Well it was expected considering the fact that I didn’t prepare at all. I really struggled with the science section, I left fifteen question unanswered and I didn’t score remarkable in any other area. I also took the PSAT in October 2014 and earned a 157 :P.
English: 23
Math: 25
Reading: 28
Science 18 @__@
Essay: 7
Composite: 24
July 2015: Up to this point, I still didn’t bother to study at all, I just kind of procrastinated my studying. At the end of July, my parents sent me to a Ray Dass class to help improve my PSAT scores, I found it somewhat helpful.
August 2015: I decided to take an practice ACT just to see where I was at, so I went to the McGraw study center online and I took on of their tests. I was surprised that I performed well above average. I felt it was much easier than the PACT I took in May so I used the official scoring chart.
English: 29
Math: 33
Reading: 31
Science 28
Composite 30
I wasn’t sure if the scored were reliable enough, so I went read my cousin’s untouched Barron’s 2nd Edition ACT Book. Up to this point I’ve only read the English section of the book. Feeling a little more confident than previously, I went to ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ to take one of there many so-called practice tests and I was pretty “bummed out” about by my score.
English: 29
Math: 30
Reading: 26 I had to give myself 5 extra minutes to answer 10 questions
Science 24 Left three unanswered at the ends due to lack of time
Composite 27
It was a huge drop from my McGraw test, so I am now assuming their material is unreliable. Will studying from the Barron’s 36 and taking several practice tests (5-10) will get me ready for the ACT by either September or October? Also, I was wondering if the Real ACT has any good study tips and learning material. I am considering purchasing it but I would prefer not to if it’s just a compendium of tests.
In regards to my desired colleges, I am wondering what it will take to be a candidate to attend each school and what kind of schools I can set out of the picture at this point. I’m not sure about SAT II or Subject tests so some enlightenment would be appreciated. Thank you all for the help :D.