I'm taking the ACT on Saturday...any advice?

[IMDWalrus]

I'll take any suggestions you give me...I'm shooting for a high score (at least 30) and I need all of the help I can get.

Is there anything I should look out for on the test? Trick questions? Strange problem types? Tables of doom? What's the best possible thing I can do for myself to raise my score?

[Ashley Weed]

One of the simplest things that people miss because of the difference of the ACT and the SAT is on the ACT you need to answer every single question, even if it is just rapidly filling in the bubbles at the end of time. Unlike the SATs where you loose fraction of pts. etc. on the ACT you don't loose pts. for incorrect answers.

I actually did much better, and was much more relaxed on the ACT for the simple fact I hadn't taken classes, bought books, and studied for the ACT's.

Best Wishes

[KyleGilbert45]

I really really really recommend getting a good nights sleep the night before and also eating a good breakfast the morning of the test. Trust me it helps.

[Katie Reynolds]

Don't freak out about the test. Just sit back, relax and take a few deep breaths before you open your test packet. The first time I took it, I was so freaked out and nervous - I walked out with a 25. The second time (a few months later), I didn't worry about it and got a 29.

Good luck!

[Cory]

Not only does the ACT not deduct points for wrong answers, they dont try to trick you! The ACT is much more knowledge based than the SAT. You cant beat the test by learning tricks. On a positive not, you cant do poorly on the test because you dont know tricks. Another plus is that if you're weak in math, it isnt counted as much since there is a science section. Also, the science section isn't science at all. If you can read a graph, or chart, you'll do great on the science.

I took the SAT I in January of my Junior year and got an 1120 (pretty terrible) I took the ACT with no studying, prep classes, books, or anything in June of my Junior year and got a 31 (The equivalent of a 1400). Needless to say I was very happy .

Basically, if you did poorly on the SAT, the ACT is probably the test for you.

Cory

[Mike Heinowski]

My advice is don't freak out, it's only a test. In the word of my photo teacher "School is secondary to life." Just because society puts lots of emphasis on tests and such doesn't mean that they are everything. Just relax get lots of sleep and you will do fine.

[Ian W.]

Originally Posted by IMDWalrus

I'll take any suggestions you give me...I'm shooting for a high score (at least 30) and I need all of the help I can get.

Is there anything I should look out for on the test? Trick questions? Strange problem types? Tables of doom? What's the best possible thing I can do for myself to raise my score?

My advice? Do nothing.

Look at some of the act.org pages, get a feel for what's on the test, but otherwise, don't try to do anything. I didn't study at all for the ACT, just went and took it, got a 33 (1470 SAT). SATs, I took them twice, with lots of prep and one on one tutoring, and I still can't top a 1350.

ACT is a much easier test, a much more relaxed test, and it's more fun too. SATs, they just suck.

[Yan Wang]

Advice: Get sleep... it's too late to study.

As to Ian W, I wouldn't call 33 the equivalent of a 1470 if one can't get it... a 1350 is a bit more reasonable

[Ian W.]

Originally Posted by monsieurcoffee

Advice: Get sleep... it's too late to study.

As to Ian W, I wouldn't call 33 the equivalent of a 1470 if one can't get it... a 1350 is a bit more reasonable

Then how come ever conversion table I found online said that a 33 is about the same as a 1470?

Not that I care, I never have to take any of those tests again.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by monsieurcoffee

Advice: Get sleep... it's too late to study.

As to Ian W, I wouldn't call 33 the equivalent of a 1470 if one can't get it... a 1350 is a bit more reasonable

you're wrong. A 31 is a 1400, so there's no way a 33 is less than that. Go to the ACT website, I think they have a conversion table there. Anyways, every college counselor I've ever met has used the same table, and Im sure the colleges do too.

Cory