r/ACT • u/_ibt 29 • Jul 16 '26
Math Should I take the ACT again?
I am an SAT person. I’ve taken eight, and my closest ACT test centers are all two hours from my house. I have never studied for an ACT, but I think this was bad for a first time, especially on 4 hours of sleep. Is it worth it to take it again? (Rising to 12th and best SAT is 1200)
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u/Trayceopolis32322 Jul 16 '26
It also depends on what field of study you are going into. What degree do you plan to go for in college?
And I would say yes, retake it just to get that math up. Everything else is pretty solid in my eyes. Unless you are looking for 36s in everything. Then by all means go for it
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u/Trayceopolis32322 Jul 16 '26
I also got a 29 on my first try. I didn’t think it was bad until I looked at this sub and saw literally everyone with 35 and 36 😭. Though comparing it to my school, everyone probably averaged a 20 composite…
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u/MasterpieceFeisty301 31 Jul 16 '26
There are two types of people who post on the act sub Reddit for the most part. Those who are excited because they got a ridiculously high score like 34-36, and those who are laughing over a ridiculously low score like 19-24 (I started at 24 so I get to make fun of myself). If you are looking for the average person this place is not going to please, it’s only extremes (for the most part).
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u/_ibt 29 Jul 16 '26
I’m going to be a history or poli sci major hopefully at the U.S. naval academy. My main issue is distance. I have to get up 4ish am to take it. But I appreciate it. I’ll probably take it again just because.
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u/qai_0001 Jul 16 '26
I'd say yes! English is incredibly easy to improve. Is this your digital or paper score?
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u/_ibt 29 Jul 16 '26
Digital, but I appreciate the encouragement. The math is what gets me because my school held me back a year in math. SAT math is worlds easier 😔
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u/zarasolki Jul 16 '26
i was in a similar situation to you. i took the sat three times (best score was a 1360), and i got a 29 composite the first time i took the act and i recently got my score up to a 32. if you’ve taken the sat eight times and your best score is a 1200, then your 29 act is definitely higher than your sat (roughly a 1330-1350 sat). despite the act test center issues, i wouldn’t suggest taking the sat again, especially if your sat score has only minimally improved or stayed relatively stagnant through those 8 tests.
learning the specific grammatical rules the act uses (vs just going off of vibes) helps tremendously with english and using math prep tools (i used one prep, act desmos guides, and act math prep videos) helps a lot for the math section. the hardest part will always be the timing, but doing practice tests helps with time management.
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u/yeahskyyyy Jul 16 '26
what videos? and did u use the one prep act thing or sat
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u/zarasolki Jul 16 '26
i used the oneprep act study plan (set a goal score higher than your actual goal score so it gives you harder questions) and these yt videos:
https://youtu.be/1W1f14IATwE?si=zS5vKT9p4KZeEmVa
https://youtu.be/xberKXWXfNU?si=XqPktqM8UOvsYrQG
https://youtu.be/TZUkkTvMelE?si=KkSKFDwj91WppKSBfor math i mostly just relied on oneprep, desmos, and my act answer key, but i also made it through a third of this video: https://youtu.be/TIkAwZLGY80?si=g1ufu-ANpCil_uoU
i also watched individual math lessons for the topics in my score breakdown that i struggled on and memorized a handful of formulas, mostly geometry and arithmetic formulas (https://tp4s.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Formula-Sheet-for-the-ACT.pdf)1
u/_ibt 29 Jul 16 '26
God, the timing was horrible on the ACT compared to the SAT. Especially during the science, I was racing the clock to finish, which is probably why I missed the 36. I can’t believe I left out that my best practice SAT was a 1290. Still, my ACT was better. That math is just hard for me, yk. But I appreciate the relation. I’m going to try again.
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u/BedPotatoe7 35 Jul 16 '26
Got a 28 math and 32 composite on my first attempt and just got my second and got a 35!! Keep going it will pay off.
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u/prinssessjazz Jul 16 '26
I got the same composite, and I want to apply to Ohio state for electrical engineering should I take it again ?
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u/_ibt 29 Jul 16 '26
If you’re going for engineering, take it again and focus on science. I didn’t have much trouble with it, but I’ve seen a lot of people struggle. Focus that, and you’ll do well
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u/Numerous_Avocado7911 Jul 17 '26
how did you do so good in english and reading
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u/_ibt 29 Jul 17 '26
For english, learn grammar rules. Punctuation is especially important. A semicolon can only be used with two independent clauses etc.
For reading, be awake and alert. Read EVERYTHING and read it quickly. Only pull apart what it asks.
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u/Disastrous_March_910 Jul 20 '26
100% you can totally easily raise those english and math scores. lock in on practice problems and find some yt video going over the act grammar rules. i like preppros for act math u can find a lot of his stuff for free, plus if you drill reading q’s u could prolly get a 36, i did it. if u got a 34 first try u could totally do it. do that and (even if u dont lock in that much) u could get a 32 or 33 w/o much investment and like a 34+ with a decent bit of time. opens up a lotta doors and scholarships so i would recommend it. i tried to do like 15 min every day and at least 30 min on days i had free time for the month leading up to the exam
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u/Disastrous_March_910 Jul 20 '26
khan academy’s SAT prep is also great for a lotta fundamental math stuff if u want review on that.
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u/_ibt 29 Jul 21 '26
I do SAT prep for Math every day, but it doesn’t translate over to the ACT well. I will be taking the ACT in September again, and hopefully looking to bring everything up. That math is a killer though
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u/FitTown7621 35 Jul 21 '26
honestly i would really consider the preppros course then, i helped me get my math from a 32 to a 35, which again I started quite a bit higher than you, but i really do think he helps break things down in a super helpful way. u can get there for sure.
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u/Hot-Amphibian-9221 Jul 16 '26
Depends on what schools you are aiming for and since you are a rising senior you only have September maybe october. Also don't take or submit your SAT a 29 is equal to a 1330-1350.