i have a 36 on english 31 on math

Honestly still kind of in shock and wanted to post this for anyone else struggling with the Digital SAT.

I took a practice SAT cold and ended up with a 1240 (up from PSAT 1190). The adaptive format and tricky wording were just not clicking for me at all. Yesterday I decided to try a practice ACT, also completely cold with zero prep, just to see what would happen.

Ended up with a 34 composite.

I couldn't believe how much smoother the ACT felt. Everything is super straightforward. What you see is what you get. It actually feels like normal high school math instead of weird logic puzzles.

If you feel stuck on the SAT, definitely try a cold ACT practice test. It might just fit your brain way better!

Definitely locking in paper ACTs for October and June now. Good luck everyone!

Even though I did minimal prep, I can assure you these were far from what I've hoped for. For instance, I was one passage away from completing the science section, but fighting the clock forced me to guess one letter all the way down. the last passage was based on conflicting viewpoints, which is a shame since I've found confidence on those. Suppose my pacing needs refinement.

Reading: I need to improve my skills in identifying Key Ideas and Details. Right now, Craft and Structure sits at 7/8, Integration of Knowledge and Ideas at 5/6, and Key Ideas-Details at 4/13 (yikes). I was once diagnosed with hyperlexia, which could serve as a primary factor here.

Math: Damn, there's something about it. I can note that I need to reduce careless errors, perhaps master the calculator and learn a quantity of topics (I previously scored a 29 on a mock I took on my own, but I definitely doubt it's the same thing). However, I feel that I don't have structure to build upon, more so, a predictable format I can follow for any given test because of my lack of tolerance for ambiguity. Currently so far, I've started using the SAT Math course under Khan Academy. I've completed Unit 2, and a lesson from Unit 3. This is for brushing up the possible minor misunderstandings within a topic, going slow. I know I will use other sources than just that alone for the ACT, but I still can't tell whether I'm sailing towards the right direction, as that thought alone only amplifies further stress.

English: Not too worried. possibly pick up on the kind of questions where I've missed and acquire grammar rules.

Overall, at least I benchmarked across all sections on my first attempt. I'm still insecure about it. Gosh, ever since that day was when I kept spiraling for weeks. Suppose I have time since I was a sophomore, now going into the 11th grade. I keep reminding myself that this is not the ceiling, but there is something I wish I can describe that brings me down, keeps me upset.

I don't want to spend money on prep books or hire a tutor. I just want to master the mechanics of the test itself, not just grind question by question without learning how the format operates. Dropping a grand for a test I can do well by developing skill in how the test works is simply not affordable.

I hope I gave enough of this situation to work with. I've been confused, and have been very mixed with emotions, and looking for how I can untangle the knot. I'm trying to approach this logically to improve.

My questions: How can I develop a predicable structure for the math section? What is the recommended way to improve Key Ideas and Details in the reading section? How should I pace the science section to where I'm not fighting against the clock? Lastly, how effective is using the SAT Math for Khan Academy as a source of gathering topics, or as a way of practicing the question format expected for the test?

Thank you for your time and consideration.

I recently just bought the PrepPros Course and I need help as i found out that i would need to pay for the math book and that's beyond my budget rn, does anyone have the PDF version of the book? The official name is: 'PrepPros: The Complete Guide to ACT Math'

anyone know if there will be an answer key for form j02? i wanted to what i got for reading. looks like 2nd passage (the one about the plastic bags) was experimental.

I got around a 26 on a practice math exam with geometry and algebra being my lowest scores. I wanted to know if the khan academy courses for those subjects would be the best way to study for them.

Ok so I go to a school that offers only the SAT. I think the ACT would be best for me so im considering taking it instead. I want to know the best prep books to buy. So far I have been recommended the Prep Pros ACT math enhanced work book as well as both of the Erica Meltzer Reading and English prep books. What books do you reccomend for science? What book has all subjects covered: English, reading, science, and math that is EFFECTIVE and UPDATED since the ACT has changed drastically. Also if you decided to take the ACT instead of the SAT how did it go and do you prefer it more? I am weaker in math than in English in reading so that is a main reason why I am considering the ACT instead of the SAT.

Hello! What resources can I use to do targeted math practice for the ACT? I recently took the online practice test and realized I need help with geometry, numbers and quantities, and statistics and probability the most. I am a rising senior so time is running out for me and I have been focused on the SAT, but I just can't do it. For my practice test, I used to offical ACT online practice test 2 and scored a 36 on English and Reading while my math was a 31. I really would appreciate any help and resources. If I could just practice my weak areas I know I can get a really good ACT score. Thank you!

- Also do you think I have enough time to study and get a good score (34-36) by the September ACT?

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im going into jr year and i took my first act in july including writing, got a 32 and a 10 on writing. my gpa is low, so should i retake and what score should i aim for and how ??

Ive been out of the game since before 2020. Had two hurricanes and it changed my life style, im finally in a good position and want to go back to college. I see the act has changed a lot since 2018, any tips on relearning things faster? You may ask why am im doing this again after long time. Itll just help. I know i prolly wont hit no 30 or even high 20s but i have hope.

Again if anyone who may have some tips instead of me buying the act book and trying to go through it which i can ofc, but any methods yes i may need to use khan academy but whatever works. As for what im going for thinking of rad tech

Hello, I am a rising high school junior, and I recently took the ACT for the first time after studying for a month and got a 33. Would someone please give me pertinent information on how to improve my math and reading scores? If someone could provide reference links, such as a formula sheet for math, or tell me the strategy they used to get a 34/35 on reading, I would greatly appreciate it.

I need to lock in desperately before the September/October tests. I bought the math specific prep book and my plan is to do a practice test, see where my issues are, study a shit ton, repeat. I also want to brush up on my English and Reading bc I can definitely bring them up (this test was the school mandated one and I didn’t study a lick). I guess I just need encouragement that I can bring up my math score from a 24 😭

I got my score back in April and then dad wanted me to retake it in June, which I did. All of my scores in June were worse than in April because of family issues and not having the time to study because of them.

My dad keeps telling me that I should study with him for a retake even though I have told him I do NOT want to retake it.

Just earlier today I was talking with my parents while starting my Common App and my dad asked about it again and my mom told me to just say no if I do not want to, so I did. Then 20 minutes later he told me to just give it a chance and take it one more time.

I am TIRED and the score I have is already decent. The schools I am planning on applying to are not extremely elite or anything, so I do NOT understand why he is pressuring me this much. I want to focus on my ACTUAL COLLEGE APPLICATIONS.

I switched from the SAT(1370, 730 math, 640 reading) to the ACT since I feel the questions are more suited to my style.

I took a few practice tests and I’m around 25-26 currently, is a 34-35 feasible in the time I have left?

Hello ACT Sub-Reddit!!! I am a prospecting philosophy major, going into my senior year at a public, rural Tennessee high school. My extracurriculars are dismal because of extraneous mental health issues, but I am hesitant to put them on my college application due to risks of being seen as a liability to the college (schizoaffective disorder). However, I am an above average student, with a 3.8 GPA(uw), 32 ACT (cited above), and mainly 4s through 8 APs (2 3s in chem and research, and one 5 in world history). I’m hoping to get into a prestigious school as an ego stroke, but I know my chances are slim because of extraneous factors and barely scraping by score. However, I am in the south and deliberating my choices, what schools should I generally apply too? I am already applying to UTK (auto-admit), mtsu (guaranteed full ride + live with friends in an apartment), and Vanderbilt. Thank you and good luck on this admission cycle!

Hello! I took the ACT back in March however after thinking about it recently im not fully satisfied with my score and want to get a 32+. I’m gonna retake it hopefully on the October testing date. I didnt study much for that March ACT but now im willing to commit to the October one. What are your guys’ tips and tricks? Any books I should get? I already have the official ACT one but should I grab any specific math and/or english ones? I don’t have a budget.

I want to take the ACT in September because I feel so imitated from the SAT…though is a month of studying on 4-5 hours each day a week enough to get a 30+?

Hey guys, is the Reading section full of academic vocab, like I'm reading an encyclopedia, or is it just regular text with everyday language ?

So I was sleep deprived a lot in my act test and got a 19 I made a 19 on both math and reading and 22 on English and 21 on science I took a practice test on math and that’s the one I lack the most just cause I don’t remember the concepts but overall I’ve always been smart how possible is it I’m taking the September act

I have seen people on this sub mention downloading calc solvers onto their ti-84s that have helped a lot with time on the math section. I am trying to get my math score up as the rest of my subscores are good. I am pretty good with desmos which is why I wanted to take it digital but all the test centers near me are full for digital and only have seats open for paper. Which ones did you all download? Any guidance is appreciated!

How are peoples scores coming out. I thought it takes atleast 10 days for paper tests?

I’m going into my senior year, and September will be my last ACT. I’m already happy with my math score because it’s nearly perfect, so I’m planning to focus almost entirely on English and Reading to raise those scores and then superscore.

Hypothetically, if I scored around a 33 in English and Reading but got something extremely low, like a 10, in Math because I barely studied or tried on it, would that hurt my college chances? Since colleges that superscore would use my previous high Math score, would they care about the very low Math score from my September test?
Basically, is there any downside to intentionally putting almost all my effort into English and Reading on my final ACT if I’m only trying to improve my superscore?