Max Harberson here. Reporting for duty.
I told my mom I'd share some tips on how I raised my ACT score. I am currently a high school junior. I spent this past summer preparing with a tutor from Franklin Yard, and I took my first official ACT a few weeks ago. My composite score increased seven points from my practice exam. Granted, I want to increase my score a few more points before senior year. But, I am pleased with my progress so far.
Here's what I've learned from prepping for each section of the ACT:
MATH:
This is my hardest section! My tutor tells me that once I complete Precalculus this year, I'll be even more prepared (for trigonometry, more specifically). But re-learning some of the geometry rules has been super helpful in seeing my score increase. I would also say that, especially with the ACT, you don't need to use Desmos as much (at least compared to the SAT). If you are comfortable with your own ACT-approved calculator, use it. And, if it helps, you are allowed to install ACT-approved calculator programs onto your TI-84, such as the Quadratic Formula.
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ENGLISH:
This is my strongest section. My best advice is to make sure you know your grammar rules. Even though it seems blunt, that's what you need to score well. Learning individual grammar rules that show up on the ACT will take you far. For example, the ACT rule is not to put commas before and after someone's name when introducing them with a title: "My sister Sophie is studying at Oxford this year." Instead of "My sister, Sophie, is studying at Oxford this year." Note, this only applies if the subject is singular.
READING:
My tutor always tells me that the best way to read the passages is to read them like fun articles. In other words, no matter how boring the passage is (even if it's about the history of flat glass mirrors and their influence on self-portraits), try to commit to reading the entire passage. Pretend it's the best and most interesting thing you've ever read. Also, in the sections that have two reading passages (A and B), the first few questions are typically asked about passage A. Make sure to get those out of the way before passage B.
SCIENCE:
I didn't take it! My mom tells me that only one college in the country requires it: Pomona College. And while a small minority of colleges encourage it if a student is interested in a STEM major, I am planning to be a Classics major (studying Latin, Greek, and ancient civilizations). Even if I wanted to list a STEM major, I'd rather devote my time to preparing for the sections that matter. As my mom says, the Science score no longer even factors into the composite score.
WRITING:
Don't take this section ever! It's not used by any college. My mom says that some states and high schools buy the ACT with Writing for school-day test dates. But if you register on your own, you don't need to take this section.
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I tease my mom about my score. She tells me that she rarely sees a seven point increase. I can't wait to prove her wrong even more. Still love you, Mom!
I can't thank my tutor at Franklin Yard enough. Thanks for being such a great help so far.
