Foo - Standardized Testing (ACT) help...

Hello everyone,

I'm currently a Junior in high school, and I have taken the ACT twice. The first time I took it was to see what I need to work on, and the score was 19. February of this year I took it again, and I received a 20. This is after reading over an ACT prep book and practicing.The score I wish to have is at least 25+.

So heres the question. I know there are many students here, how did you prepare for such a test? I know most of the information, but when I get to take the test I completely blank out and I have a hard time remembering all the information. Mathematics is the main subject that I forget formulas and things in that nature.

English, reading, and science I seem to do well on, but not math:(

I ordered a Kaplan CD for both SAT and ACT. Pretty good practice tests. But from my experience the ACT was MUCH harder than the SAT. Sat, whew, I could finish a section with plenty of time to spare. The ACT was down to the wire. I have the CDs if you would like them. I have no need for them anymore, but I think they helped.

I ordered a Kaplan CD for both SAT and ACT. Pretty good practice tests. But from my experience the ACT was MUCH harder than the SAT. Sat, whew, I could finish a section with plenty of time to spare. The ACT was down to the wire. I have the CDs if you would like them. I have no need for them anymore, but I think they helped.

Thanks for the input. I read that the ACT changes from year to year, but older tests wouldn't hurt. I have a huge prep book that I am fairly close to finishing and I also have a CD. I did the math portion of the practice test today for the second time today. At first I missed a lot, after reading over my mistakes I took it again several hours later and only missed 3 out of 60. Now if only this could happen on the actual ACT:rolleyes:

just practice as many tests as you can. They are all similar. After you see a dozen or so tests you know what they are going for.

Just make sure you understand at least basic algebra. Find a book with an ACT study guide, there are usually practice problems in there. You've just got to practice that type of problem again and again.

Just out of curiosity, why do need >25? These standardized tests are one small step above meaningless, enough so that there is a growing understanding that these tests are a dubious way of predicting success in college.

When I was applying to colleges most of them wanted an ACT of >25 or SAT >1200. This was before the SAT's were out of 2400.

He probably wants this because of something regarding acceptance or scholarships/financial aid.

I agree that they place to much emphasis on standardized tests but you have to give them what they ask for.

To answer the questions phantomcow, Jynx is correct. I am hoping to go Penn State, and the requirement for engineering is 28 on the ACT I believe. I know my parents nor I can afford the full tuition, so I need scholarships.

If you don't get accepted to Penn state, I would recommend going to another school and transferring in. Standardized test scores are not required for most transfers.

If you don't get accepted to Penn state, I would recommend going to another school and transferring in. Standardized test scores are not required for most transfers.

What do you mean 'transferring in' if I do not get accepted?

Do a year or two in a Junior College, get an Associates Degree and keep the GPA in the stratosphere. You don't have to take the ACT or SAT and get the high scores. You get a lot of your prerequisites done a lot cheaper, and as long as your Junior College is accredited properly, like NCA Accreditation, your credits will transfer.

Do a year or two in a Junior College, get an Associates Degree and keep the GPA in the stratosphere. You don't have to take the ACT or SAT and get the high scores. You get a lot of your prerequisites done a lot cheaper, and as long as your Junior College is accredited properly, like NCA Accreditation, your credits will transfer.

So by doing this I am able to transfer into a University?

Another option would be to start at Penn State in another college, i.e. Liberal Arts. Then once you establish a good GPA you can switch majors.

I have a couple friends who started at the University of Illinois in the college of agriculture simply because the entrance requirements were easier. Then after the first semester they changed majors.

In regards to the ACT, take your time completing the math you know how to do. If you see a problem that you have no idea how to complete there is no sense spending time stewing about it. You will only frustrate yourself and that will throw off the rest of the test. Remember, there is no penalty for guessing on the ACT. Your score is determined by the total number of correct answers.

Another option would be to start at Penn State in another college, i.e. Liberal Arts. Then once you establish a good GPA you can switch majors.

I have a couple friends who started at the University of Illinois in the college of agriculture simply because the entrance requirements were easier. Then after the first semester they changed majors.

In regards to the ACT, take your time completing the math you know how to do. If you see a problem that you have no idea how to complete there is no sense spending time stewing about it. You will only frustrate yourself and that will throw off the rest of the test. Remember, there is no penalty for guessing on the ACT. Your score is determined by the total number of correct answers.

Thanks. I am seeing improvement on the practice tests I am doing. I will see how well i do April 12th, after that I will have to decide what to do.

Have you tried the SAT? Maybe you'll do better at that.

Have you tried the SAT? Maybe you'll do better at that.

I was thinking of taking it. I will take the ACT in April, then after that decide if I shall take it or not(SAT).

One thing I always did was cram those formulas in your brain and as soon as the test starts I would scribble them out on the paper. Then, as a question came up I always had a reference. Worked for me.

One thing I always did was cram those formulas in your brain and as soon as the test starts I would scribble them out on the paper. Then, as a question came up I always had a reference. Worked for me.

Hmm..good idea. I'll remember that.

Another option would be to start at Penn State in another college, i.e. Liberal Arts. Then once you establish a good GPA you can switch majors.

I used to teach at Penn State. They aren't very flexible when it comes to switching majors so it is not a good idea to assume that you will be able to do so.

There aren't many options in PA though.

Yes you can begin studies at another accredited school. Take a year of classes, get your crappy classes out of the way, and transfer into another school. THis means you apply as a transfer student, which means no standardized testing scores. Also, your college transcript is much more important than your high school transcript; academic success in college will greatly overshadow academic failure in high school.
Everything you took at whatever other school you went to will transfer credit for credit. So, if you took the basic freshman English class at, for example, UNH, then you wouldn't need to take it at Penn state.

FWI, I was rejected from Hampshire College due to sub par academic achievement. So I've been at UNH for a year, building up an academic track record, and then re applying as a transfer.

Yep, that's the route I'm going right now. :D


So by doing this I am able to transfer into a University?

Thanks for all the input guys. This sure clears up a lot of confusion that has been rumbling in my head. I will try to get in at first. If that doesn't work, then I'll just have to be a transfer student.

Hey, it'll actually save you some money. You'll also get the prereqs done there and then there's the smaller class size as well. :D At a large Uni like Penn State, the classes will be a LOT bigger.


Thanks for all the input guys. This sure clears up a lot of confusion that has been rumbling in my head. I will try to get in at first. If that doesn't work, then I'll just have to be a transfer student.

Hey, it'll actually save you some money. You'll also get the prereqs done there and then there's the smaller class size as well. :D At a large Uni like Penn State, the classes will be a LOT bigger.

I've been reading about the class sizes:eek:

So by doing this I am able to transfer into a University?Yes. That's one of the major functions of a community/junior college. They're easier to get into and less expensive to attend than a university, and once you've proven yourself there, universities generally let you transfer in with minimum fuss and bother. The degree you eventually get from the university is just the same as if you'd started at the university as a freshman, and you won't be as deeply in debt. Just make sure that the college is properly accredited and offers the courses you need for your major.

Yes. That's one of the major functions of a community/junior college. They're easier to get into and less expensive to attend than a university, and once you've proven yourself there, universities generally let you transfer in with minimum fuss and bother. The degree you eventually get from the university is just the same as if you'd started at the university as a freshman, and you won't be as deeply in debt. Just make sure that the college is properly accredited and offers the courses you need for your major.

Just as I thought. I plan on getting a job this summer, and working throughout the year. I should be able to pay for part of my tuition so it doesn't put to much stress on my parents.

When in doubt "C" it out

the only way I was ever able to prepare for tests requiring memorization
was lots of rote memorization--gutting it out. there is one method I know
of that is pretty much guaranteed to implant random data in your brain if you use it--
pm me if you want the method--we used it on the bar exam so it should help memorize
random formulas (basically a similar process).

Just as I thought. I plan on getting a job this summer, and working throughout the year. I should be able to pay for part of my tuition so it doesn't put to much stress on my parents.

Good man.

So by doing this I am able to transfer into a University?

in California the UC system usually lets you transfer in from our community colleges.
People transfer from community colleges to Berkeley that would never have
been accepted if they applied straight out of high school.

Penn State has a bizillion branch campuses around the state. I think the best one is in Altoona and there is another major campus in Scranton-Wilkesbarre. But they are all relatively miserable locales.

All good information here. I am still undecided what I want to major in. I have narrowed it down to Chemical Engineer and or Automotive Engineer.

When in doubt "C" it out

I never really understood why 'C' should be used.

Oh back in when I was in HS... uh 1984.... there were rumors of statistical analysis that showed that on any given multiple choice test.. and the SAT's specifically, there were a larger number of C's used. Therefore if you had no idea what the answer was, you had a better statistical probability of getting it correct by choosing C. Of course it was all bunk... and I believe that the ACTs and SATs use a scoring system that discourages guessing. At least they did in 1984. The use C methodology has as much usefulness as taking your four fingers, labeling them A,B,C,D from right to left... slamming them into the desk hard and picking your answer dependant upon which one hurts the most ( a dollar for anyone who can tell me the source of that one) :)

I heard it was B now.

I took a Kaplan course and raised my SAT from about a 950 to a 1300.

Of course I studied a lot too, but the course helped.

Thanks guys and HAHA mrt10x!

The ACT does not penalize for missed questions. It only scores on correct answers, that is why you should solve all the math problems you know first. If you don't know it after 2 readings, move on. Come back if you have time.