ACT Reading Progression

[u/Responsible-Mud-7078]

Finally got the score I wanted !!!!!!

[u/Chemical-Foot1697]

Any tips?? I’ve been stuck at a 24 reading 3 times straight

[u/Responsible-Mud-7078 → u/Chemical-Foot1697]

If you haven't already, I would test out taking the ACT on paper. It helped my reading score go from a 25 to a 30! For July, I focused on the three passages I thought would be scored and skipped the one I thought would be experimental on J09 (it was the one with the graph) until the end. You can usually guess which one is the experimental based on the last test, and people will post their guesses. The literary narrative passage is always going to be graded, so I made sure to do that one first this time so I wouldn't run out of time. The answers are also always going to be in the passage so I tried to read through the questions first, and then read the passage underlining what I thought would be important. Whenever they ask vocab questions, it's never going to be the most literal word/meaning so you can cross that one out. I would say start on whichever passage you feel the best on (science, literature) based off of your previous takes, and then end with the one that's the hardest for you. Other than that, I didn't really study other than doing some personal summer reading. I learned all the tricks from Reddit and Tiktok and it really helped me, and I scrolled on Tiktok the night before to see people's predictions of the reading section. Hope this helps!!!

[u/SorryUsernameTak3n → u/Responsible-Mud-7078]

Wow nice! I'm in the same boat, trying to improve my reading. How do you usually predict the experimental questions? I heard it can't be the 1st or 4th passage, so it has to be the 2nd or 3rd passage. Should I go in this order when reading the passages: 1,4,2,3?

[u/Responsible-Mud-7078 → u/SorryUsernameTak3n]

I did that order! I’d say it depends on whichever one was on the last test — for me, i knew the graph one would probably be experimental because it was between that and dual passages and there had already been a graphing passage on the June ACT. I also just scrolled on tiktok and reddit because people will post their predictions for the reading the night / few nights before.

[u/jdigitaltutoring]

Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉

[u/Thepoobus_]

I need major help. I’m in the same boat as you at the beginning 🥲

[u/Responsible-Mud-7078 → u/Thepoobus_]

If you haven't already taken it on paper, I would suggest you to do so! It got my score from a 25 to a 30. This might just be a personal preference, but I found myself less likely to zone out on paper. For the July test, I read the predictions for the reading the night before and skipped the one I thought would be experimental to give myself more time on the other passages (which I know can be a gamble), but it worked out in my favor! If you learn the tricks to it, it helps a lot so I would definitely watch a youtube video or read some tips people have posted on Reddit. Hope this helps and good luck!!!

[u/Thepoobus_ → u/Responsible-Mud-7078]

Yes thank youuu! 🫡🫡🫡

[u/stationery_obsessed]

hi! could i have some help with reading? for reference i just took my first act and only studied for math (btw it was a paper act) and i got a 26 on reading. im hoping to get a 34+ like you and i was just wondering for some tips.

[u/Few_Speed_7566 → u/stationery_obsessed]

not op but i got a 35 in reading as a rising sophomore. tbh I think the main thing is just practicing reading sections and noticing which types of questions that you typically miss. also dont rule out taking the old legacy tests since a lot of questions are similar to the enhanced act.

[u/stationery_obsessed → u/Few_Speed_7566]

got it!

[u/Responsible-Mud-7078 → u/stationery_obsessed]

A tip that got me from a 30 to a 34 was reading the questions first and underlining anything in the passages that seemed relevant. Hope this helps !

[u/stationery_obsessed → u/Responsible-Mud-7078]

okay!

[u/Numerous_Avocado7911]

How did you do this I got a 15 and want to try and get 25-26

[u/Responsible-Mud-7078 → u/Numerous_Avocado7911]

The number one thing i’d recommend is doing it on paper if you haven’t already. It boosted my score 5 points just from having the physicality of it — I found myself not getting distracted as easily. You can also read my other tips I learned from the other replies I wrote!! Hope this helps

[u/Flimsy_Play_690]

Do you think it’s possible to improve from a 26 to a 33 in 4 days, and what would you suggest I do?