The ACT!!!

[Angel37]

I'm taking it next month!!! Any hints/suggestions/advice??? Is it hard???? What's it like???
<3 Angel

[Kaori]

Are you referring to the standardized test? It is moderately intense as far as tests go--more difficult than tests for graduation requirements but not as bad, in my opinion, as some AP tests. It is more or less impossible to cram for this sort of test; one of the things you can do is to take practice tests, but if you are unable to do so, it is not something to worry about. If I recall correctly, the major difference between the ACT and the SAT is that the SAT only tests math and verbal skills, and the ACT covers a few other subjects, like science.

Aside from taking a few practice tests, if you are able to do so, all I can really say is to not stress out about it. Get a good night's sleep, eat breakfast, etc.

[uc pseudonym]

Because "ACT" is not entirely capitalized (the forums eliminate all capital titles), this thread title was confusing. I modified it slightly to avoid this.

My advice would be similar to Kaori's: simply try not to be stressed about it. I would suggest taking practice tests, because you seem a bit nervous. After taking a few of those, you'll have a pretty good impression of the test.

I guess I would have one word of advice: slow down for the science portion. Basically it only tests your ability to understand data, but it is easy to misinterprete what they give you (and I believe it is created in that manner intentionally). Other than this, I didn't have much of a problem with it.

[termyt]

Follow your normal ruitine on test day, as much as possible. A good night's sleep and some food go a long way to settling nerves. The test is meant to gauge your abilities and is very hard to cram for, so I don't recommend doing that. Practice tests are a good idea, especially if you aren't the best at taking tests.

[Mangafanatic]

On the science section, I was told repeatedly NOT to read the information first as the directions suggest. Instead, simply look over the information briefly to make sure you know the general TOPIC of the section. After that, look at the first question. It will probably be something like "According to graph A [find graph A] geese who fly father distances during migration probably have what in common in their build?" Look over the graph, find the answer, move on to the next quesiton.

[That Dude]

I'm also taking it next month and was wondering if the math section is about the same difficulty level as the SAT. And does the ACT still focus a lot on the Vocabulary?

[Angel37]

Thank you guys! That helps ALOT. Any other advice would be GREAT as well!! I've taken AP tests before though so if it's not as hard as that...but how hard's the math/vocab?
<3 Angel

[uc pseudonym]

The math section's difficulty will depend on how good your basic skills are in math. If you understand the concepts for your grade level, you will have done the preparation you can do; the rest of it is simply how well you "see" mathematical patterns.

And does the ACT still focus a lot on the Vocabulary?

Not really, though having a large vocabulary helps on some questions. I do not like that section because I feel some questions are matters of preference, but on the actual test I did not do badly despite this.

[Angel37]

Just on a tangent, I'VE MISSED YOU UC!!! *hugs* And thanks for tweeking my thread title. I tried like 20 times to get it as all caps but it hates me XD.
Um, I'm taking Trig right now and I understand what I'm doing but DOING it is another question. How high does the math go?
Vocab might be a little unusual though cause you are right, it IS a matter of preference especially since some words can have more than one meaning depending on what generation you're in/around. But thankyas!
<3 Angel

[uc pseudonym]

I don't remember, specifically. If you understand the basics of trig, you should be fine.

Just on a tangent, I'VE MISSED YOU UC!!! *hugs*

Was I gone?

[MyrrhLynn]

Yeah taking practics tests is a good idea. I used a ACT preparation computer program that was really nice since it reviewed the different things you needed to know for math and the verbal portion. And you could take tests on it so it knew what portions of the test were hardest for you and it would give you extra help on them. sorry though I can't remember where my Mom bought it.

[termyt]

Was I gone?

I think the question is: What did you do while you were gone?


As I recall, and unless they've changed the test significantly since I was taking the test (back in the days where we used rocks to carve the answers on stone tablets), there's only trig on the test - no calculus. So you’ll want to be able to figure out signs and cosigns, etc and you’ll need to be really good in Algebra. If you’ve taken the math classes all through HS on the college prep level, you should be good at Algebra by now, and you will have covered everything on the test.

[Angel37]

I don't remember, specifically. If you understand the basics of trig, you should be fine.



Was I gone?

LOL. Nope, i was! ^_^ But I'm back and I missed you!
<3 Crash

[Angel37]

[quote="termyt"]I think the question is: What did you do while you were gone?


As I recall, and unless they've changed the test significantly since I was taking the test (back in the days where we used rocks to carve the answers on stone tablets), there's only trig on the test - no calculus. So you’]

Ok. Yeah I'm ok in Trig. I love Algebra so here's hoping I can still remember how to do most of it! ^_^ Thanks for the tip!
<3 Angel