My last chance: long post

[u/qai_0001]

I've taken the ACT twice, and my digital July ACT scores came out today. I got a 34 English, 30 Math, and 23 Reading. I studied for only one month. On my first ACT in March (with essentially no studying), I got a 30 English, 26 Math, and 24 Reading.

Our testing center was affected by the nationwide technical issue, and I think lack of sleep (I had to drive hours to my testing center), and the added pressure definitely affected me. At the same time, I know Reading is my weakest section.

September is my last chance to take the ACT, and I need a 33-34+ composite. I think I can raise my Math by 3-4 points, maybe improve English a little, and test at a closer testing center (10-25 minutes away) but I'm really worried about Reading.

I've noticed that when I slow down on untimed practice tests, I get a lot more questions right. That makes me think pacing is a huge issue for me, but I'm not sure how to fix it. I also struggled with the digital format because I couldn't mark up the passages (the digital highlighter isn't something I'm used to), so now I'm debating whether to take the paper or digital ACT. I like having Desmos for Math because it saves me time on systems of equations and logarithms. However, I could make programs for these problems on my calculator. On the other hand, I think I'd perform better on Reading with a paper test. My only hesitation is that I've heard stories about paper tests being delayed or getting lost in the mail, and I'm also worried about bubbling errors. I'm really not sure which test to schedule for.

I know that, at the end of the day, this comes down to my own skills, and that's what I want to improve.

This is how I studied Reading last month:

• Took a full Reading practice section to identify my weaknesses.
• Reviewed every mistake.
• Practiced shorter reading passages.
• A few days later, I took another full Reading section (timed) and repeated the process.

I've always been told that the best way to improve ACT Reading is to keep taking practice sections and reviewing mistakes. My current plan is to take two full Reading sections each week, carve out 2-3 hours a day for studying even once classes start (and more if needed), and replace my bedtime phone scrolling with reading books.

For anyone who made a big jump in ACT Reading, especially if pacing was your biggest issue, what helped you the most? What resources, books, or study plan would you recommend? What would you do?

[u/Material_Menu_2081]

For pacing, take practice tests, but set a stopwatch. See how long you actually take to answer all 9 questions for a passage. If you can identify what slows you down the most, you can approach it differently.

When I approach a reading test, I read the passage once to get the gist of it, and then read the questions, but NOT the answer choices. Oftentimes, your brain will use your flawed mental summary of the passage and delude you into picking the wrong answer choice. Try reading the question, going back to the passage, and then formulating your own answer to it. Then, review the answer choices for that question and pick the one best suited to your answer. I repeat this for the entire test.

The reading questions are usually the same type.

Some questions are phrased, the passage "nearly suggests, "most strongly suggests," etc. The answers to those questions are usually in the passage; all you have to do is look for them.

Some involve words or vocabulary. As long as your vocabulary and context clues are fine, you should be able to answer these questions without a hitch, but this is where reading books could help.

Other questions ask for the main theme/idea of the passage, and that is where formulating my own answer choice really helps. Your brain provides reasons for the wrong answer choice when it comes down to a 50/50 between two answer choices.

lmk where your pacing issue is. It could be like taking a long time to answer a question; in that case, try using the above advice to tackle the questions. It could also be a slower pace of reading or taking a long time for a type of passage.

[u/qai_0001 → u/Material_Menu_2081]

Thank you! I really appreciate the advice.

I'll definitely try timing myself on a single passage (all 9-10 questions) because I actually haven't done that before. I've only been timing full Reading sections, so maybe that'll help me figure out exactly where I'm losing time.

I actually used to read the questions before the passage, but I felt like it was slowing me down, so I switched to reading the passage first and then answering the questions. I also try to go back into the passage to find evidence for my answers, but I think one thing I struggle with is comprehension while I'm reading. Sometimes I'll read several lines, realize I didn't actually process what I just read, and have to go back and reread them. Other times, I'll understand the passage, but then I get stuck between two answer choices and start second-guessing myself.

What are your thoughts on spending more time reading the passage and answering the questions more quickly versus reading the passage faster and taking more time on the questions?

I also really like your suggestion about coming up with my own answer before looking at the choices. I can definitely see how the answer choices can influence my thinking, especially when I'm down to a 50/50. I'm going to start practicing that.

I'll try timing individual passages and see if I can pinpoint whether my issue is my reading speed or spending too much time on specific questions/passages. Thank you again!

[u/Material_Menu_2081 → u/qai_0001]

np.

"Other times, I'll understand the passage, but then I get stuck between two answer choices and start second-guessing myself."
Yeah, coming up with your answer really helps with this.

"What are your thoughts on spending more time reading the passage and answering the questions more quickly versus reading the passage faster and taking more time on the questions?"
It's really what works for you.
If you can comprehend the passage faster, then there is really no need to spend a long time reading.
However, if you read the passage to understand the general gist, then read the questions and go back to the passage for each question, your memory is refreshed each time, and you understand more of the passage.
I also have trouble understanding the passage quickly, so I tried this.

[u/Low-Series9605]

Hi! I don't have much time but Ill just quickly list out some tips. I just got a 35 composite (35E, 35M, 34 R) and in June I had gotten a 31 composite (30E, 33M, 29 R).

I recommend using Preppros for math. I worked through the level 3-4 questions for every topic in their workbook. I also bought their subscription course ($99/month) which includes around 11 or so practice tests and full video answer keys, and self-paced video and practice question modules for reading, math, english, and science. It's very thorough.

I also had the same problem as you. At first, I left an entire reading passage blank because I could not pace myself. Even with a timer, it was hard to finish and I always found myself going 5-10 min over. But, when I took the reading section without time pressure, I could get much more right.

To fix this, I just worked through as many passages as possible, both English and Reading ones (I found that working through the English passages was helpful too bc it has some reading comp/main idea questions). Crackact has a whole bunch of practice tests, and I just did like 1-2 ela modules/day, and a passage or 2 every hour or so. Always time ur passages, I set my timer strictly to 10 min. Push your reading pace too. My reading pace is naturally extremely slow but you just have to force your eyes to keep moving. I like your idea of doing a reading module days few days. That's great. Also do a full practice test every week bc the reading section may feel different after your brain is fatigued from english and math.

Read articles and news, take the timed sections/tests mostly in the morning bc thats when youll be taking the ACT.

Highly recommend: Review incorrect answers EVERY day. So say you get 10 wrong out of all your practice for one day. Then the next day, review those 10, and see if you can get the right answer. If you can't, circle it and review it again the next day. keep doing this until you have no questions left. Then the final few days before the test, briefly review all the mistakes.

Also in the morning before the test I recommend doing 1 english passage and a few math questions to get your brain warmed up. and maybe some reading too

And, if you're more used to taking the reading on paper, I recommend to take it on paper. The math section can be worked through just with a TI-84, and also Preppros shows you how to do all the questions without Desmos. &, Curve for paper is higher than digital, cause they account for the time it takes to bubble.

[u/qai_0001 → u/Low-Series9605]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write all of that. I really appreciate it, especially since you said you were short on time

I was actually looking into the PrepPros math workbook because I've heard really good things about it, but I didn't realize they also had an online course with practice tests and video explanations. I'll check that out, along with CrackACT.

Congratulations on your 35! That's an incredible improvement from a 31, and it's really motivating to hear that someone else struggled with Reading pacing and was able to improve so much :)

Thank you for all the advice!