Skip to main content

ACT? Not so Terrifying Anymore

By Anonymous
The YWP is a forum mainly for kids aged 13 to 18 years old, and at these ages, it is hard not to think about college. 

The word college brings to mind endless college tours, applications, essays, and the age-old nightmare of teenagers across the world: standardized testing. For students interested in attending an American university, either the ACT or the SAT will be required. As someone who scored a perfect 36 on the ACT test, I would like to detail its purpose and function before delving into study techniques. 

First of all, the ACT is composed of four subjects: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each test has a range of 1-36, and to get a composite score, all of the tests are averaged. An average score is approximately a 23, and a high score is late twenties or early thirties. The test is taken in a student’s junior or senior year of highschool and is used as a measure of how college-ready the person may be. Colleges look at the ACT scores to determine what scholarships and financial aid they are interested in giving out. 

Now for the study strategies and tips that gave me my score. Above all else, remember that you are capable of improving your score. If something seems to hard, there are people out there who can help you solve the problem. Second, get your hands on past tests. The official ones, located for free here, are far better than simulated ones. Take the first test timed and simulating real life conditions. You will only get one crack at seeing a fresh version of this test, so use it wisely. If you do not finish the test in time, take a red pen and continue to fill out the rest until you finish. 

Next, check it with the answer key, then put the key away and work through the problems you got wrong. When you think you have an answer for all of them again, check them with the key and try to determine why their answer is correct. Ask yourself the following questions: Did I make any stupid mistakes? Did I take too long on any sections and run out of time? Is there anything I still don’t understand? Would I be able to do another problem like this one in the future? 

Answer these questions honestly. Remember, studying for this test will help you sooo much. After you fully understand the first test, move on to the second one and do the same thing, on and on.
Always go back and correct your mistakes until you understand perfectly what you got wrong. That is the only way to learn from your mistakes.  

The biggest resource I used was ACT Online Prep. Sponsored by the official test, it offers tons of free problems exactly like the ones that you will see on that big day. If you can’t afford to purchase the subscription, and you can’t talk your parents into it, then PrepScholar is a HUGE help. Look through all of their articles before taking the second test for the first time. 

Here is a link to their master Science link list. It took me about two hours to go through this each time, and my parents made me do it thrice, but it was definitely worth it. 

Finally, let me leave you on this parting thought. People look at me and think I’m a genius for my test score. I’m not even remotely a genius. I studied for this test for five months and took it twice. All that you need to make a 36 is hard work and determination. You are fully capable of the score you want. Strive for perfection in your studying, and it will definitely pay off.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Biblio-Files: The Secret Garden

By
Hello good friends! Today we will be reviewing The Secret Garden. Published in 1911 by Frances Hodgson Burnett, it's a fantastic book about enjoying the outdoors and how much a good friend can help someone out. The good message and excellent writing make it a beloved classic still read today, over 100 years later. She also wrote "The Little Princess" and "Little Lord Fauntleroy," both books I have read and enjoyed, though I believe this is her best one. With its folksy characters and low-key plot, this book is perfect for readers who want to read at a slower pace. It talks a lot about the benefits of being outside and being kind to animals, but it doesn't feel overly preachy. The main characters are Mary, a sickly Indian girl, Dickon, a boy who can talk to animals, and Colin, the son of the master of the house. Together they bring a secret garden to life, becoming as strong and bright as the roses they grew within the ivy-covered walls. I, personall...
3 comments
Read more

The Character Files: 01. Katniss Everdeen: The Girl on Fire, the Mockingjay, and the YA Icon

By
THE CHARACTER FILES 01. The Girl On Fire Hello everyone! And welcome to The Character Files , a weekly article I'll be writing that delves into analysis's of popular characters! Starting off, I'll cover the face of young adult dystopia herself - Katniss Everdeen. There will be spoilers for the Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins, so be warned! From The Mockingjay Part 1 Risen from the Ashes (Background) “District Twelve. Where you can starve to death in safety.” -Katniss Everdeen, the Hunger Games   As were most of the non career districts, District 12, Katniss’ birthplace, was rife with poverty. Disease and starvation were rampant, many people dying from them. (It is interesting to note that, despite seeing ill people frequently since her mother treats them, Katniss is not desensitized to seeing sickness. In fact, she is one of the least desensitized to it.) And...
Post a Comment
Read more

Comparing Digital Art Programs

By
The world of digital art programs can be a tricky plane to navigate. Whether you're a budding digital artist looking for beginners programs to start on or a professional artist with a bunch of experience, here is a quick list of some of the more well-known names in digital art! Krita  - FREE Krita is a free, open-source software that is becoming much more popular among digital artists. The interface has full customization, so you can fix it to look almost however you want. It gives you access to all  brushes, colors, and other settings from the beginning without extra purchases. It's also quite advanced and powerful. Some drawbacks of Krita are that there is a learning curve, as the interface can be quite tricky. It's also very laggy and slow, especially on older laptops. (P.S.: If you like the software, consider donating to the Krita Foundation! They work on this software for free, and it's always nice to give back.) FireAlpaca - FREE FireAlpaca...
Post a Comment
Read more