Final considerations for retaking the ACT
Students, while retaking the ACT can lead to a score increase for many, you should also consider the cost of taking the exams and what multiple scores mean to college admission officers. The ACT costs $46 and $62.50 with the writing portion. Costs can add up if you repeatedly take the test but keep in mind, the ACT offers fee waivers to low-income family students. Once you complete the exam and send your score to colleges, many schools may subscore your results. Subscoring is a process in which schools take the best scores from each section if you have taken the exam multiple times. Keep in mind, some schools may not subscore, which may be problematic if your second test score drops. For example, if you received a 25 composite score on the first exam and a 20 on the second, that may raise some questions with the admission officers. Consider the potential for good and bad outcomes that come from taking the ACT multiple times. Students may find drawbacks of having to spend more time, money and effort into the process of test preparation but the strong possibility of raising your score will be worth...
Read MoreTackle the ACT the second time: Dedicate the time
For many students, one of the biggest challenges they face is simply finding the time to commit to preparing for the ACT on a regular basis. With their academic obligations, extracurricular activities and other responsibilities, finding the time to test prep have become more difficult. Prep time can vary from prospective college students. There are several factors to consider when preparing to retake the ACT such as the original score and how high you want your score to increase. For example, a student who has a composite score of 27 but wants to increase their score by one or two points may only need to dedicate a few weeks to reach their desired score. But, students who want to increase their score by five or more points will need to dedicate significantly more amount of time for test prep. We recommend students to take enough mock tests to get close to their desired score before retaking the real exam. Learn about our mock testing program here....
Read MoreTackle the ACT a second time: Watch the clock
It’s not uncommon to skip some questions while taking a standardized exam. A score report can show you where you skipped questions, possibly revealing that you ran out of time. First-time test takers are not always aware of how quickly the exam moves and so they need to develop a strategy for timing and pacing. The ACT has more questions per minute than the SAT. The SAT has a grammar section which is 44 questions in 35 minutes. Whereas, the ACT English section has 75 questions in 45 minutes. SciMath Education’s mock test program administers practice tests in timed environments to improve college applicants time management for test...
Read MoreTackle the ACT a second time: Review Scores
The highest ACT score is 36, and the national average score during the 2016-2017 school year was 21. The ACT is offered seven times a year in the U.S., though preparation is timely, exhausting and sometimes costly. College applicants can use can use strategies to better master the exam, especially if they are already familiar with the ACT. Review scores: After students take a mock exam with SciMath Education students will receive a score report. The score report is designed to give students an idea of how they will do on the real exam. Students should also get a copy of their test booklet to review the questions that were specifically missed. By reviewing a score report, students can check if they missed more geometry or algebra questions, for example. If students are taking a four-hour long practice exam it would be helpful to devote at least an hour to review questions that were...
Read MoreUnderstand the stakes, but don’t fret
The pressure to excel on the SAT or ACT can be high – but students must find a healthy balance between understanding the test’s importance and ensuring they don’t push themselves too hard. While attaining great test scores is certainly a goal worth going after, pressuring yourself to an unhealthy point is unlikely to help you get there. Don’t forget that you can take the test multiple times, and most people do. Just try your best and don’t let the test environment or any small missteps get the better of you. This is another time when being prepared comes into play. We advised arriving at the test site early to help alleviate any extra stress. Nothing stresses someone out more than being late. Additionally, if you’re not there at the correct time, you might not be able to take the test. Leave your day wide open, show up early and put yourself in the best position you can to do well on the exam. Remember, the more practice exams you take the more comfortable you will be on during the real exam. SciMath Education offers mock testing for students taking standardized tests several Saturdays out of the month. We attempt to replicate the testing process and environment to enable students to experience actual test conditions. Learn more about our mock testing program...
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