The " Calm Down Fp" Thread

[PhuturePriest]

I am flipping out over the ACTs. I'm taking it sometime next year, and I need a minimum composite score of 24, but I'm aiming for a 30. I keep questioning if I'll be ready. I could spend 16 hours a day at school and still question that. I don't know if I can ever reach my goal, and I always have an uneasy feeling in my stomach about it, which is completely uncharacteristic of my laid-back carefree personality.

[Basilisa Marie]

I am flipping out over the ACTs. I'm taking it sometime next year, and I need a minimum composite score of 24, but I'm aiming for a 30. I keep questioning if I'll be ready. I could spend 16 hours a day at school and still question that. I don't know if I can ever reach my goal, and I always have an uneasy feeling in my stomach about it, which is completely uncharacteristic of my laid-back carefree personality.

 

If you're questioning it, do something about it. Make a plan for how you're going to study, take a practice test to see where you are now, and work from there on a regular basis.  For me, creating a plan (even if it doesn't involve getting started right away) really helps me when I'm anxious about something like that. 

[Maggyie]

Take lots and lots of practice tests. Go to the library and take them in silence, like you would at a proctored exam. Practice practice practice.

[PhuturePriest]

If you're questioning it, do something about it. Make a plan for how you're going to study, take a practice test to see where you are now, and work from there on a regular basis. For me, creating a plan (even if it doesn't involve getting started right away) really helps me when I'm anxious about something like that.

I've been studying for it for months now. I'm loads better than I was originally, but I still have a ways to go. I plan to take some preparation classes if I can.

[NotreDame]

Have you taken a full, scored, practice test yet?  how far are you off?  Where are you weak?

[PhuturePriest]

Have you taken a full, scored, practice test yet? how far are you off? Where are you weak?

On English, I was getting about 25 out of 30. I was doing best on fiction, but I don't remember the exact scores. I was just starting on science when I had to return the book. I was getting good scores in that, but my weakness was how long it took me to answer the questions. When I tried timing myself the first day I started studying, I was only able to answer 16 questions out of 40. I bet I would be faster now, but not fast enough. I require time to think out my answers, and I think the short times they give you are completely asinine. Why does time even matter? Isn't getting the answers right what matters?

[NotreDame]

If you are serious about it, I'll look it up and give you some tips.  I've taken sat, lsat, gmat, but never the act. 

 

Generally, you want to take complete tests every 2-4 weeks in a way that allows you to get detailed feedback (dialing down into sections to show which types of questions you struggle with.) 

 

Then you want to practice 15-20 questions every 1-2 days, keeping track of your performance.  If you can get practice booklets that give you the ability to focus on specific types of questions from each section, these can help you focus on your weak areas.  Then do full sections every week or two to gauge progress.

 

Basically, track everything.  As long as there is improvement, keep going with this strategy.  If you plateau, reassess next steps.

 

Strategy depends on each test.  On the LSAT I studied weak areas, but on the GMAT I read to focus on verbal since there were many foreigners taking it in their 2nd language, and that was the right move. 

 

 

Edited December 7, 2013 by NotreDame

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

What is an ACT ?

[mortify ii]

I am flipping out over the ACTs. I'm taking it sometime next year, and I need a minimum composite score of 24, but I'm aiming for a 30. I keep questioning if I'll be ready. I could spend 16 hours a day at school and still question that. I don't know if I can ever reach my goal, and I always have an uneasy feeling in my stomach about it, which is completely uncharacteristic of my laid-back carefree personality.

 

Remember what our Lord said, how will anxiety add to your situation? It's only good for that initial impulse, the realization that you need to focus hard on an issue, after that it only detracts. It will cloud your thinking, derail your motivation, and exhaust your energy. Realize it's useless, set it aside, and be practical. Develop a study plan as others have said, and I'm sure you'll do just great :)

[blazeingstar]

As expensive as it is, you can always take the test again.  They make these things to be make or break, but they never are.

[i<3franciscans]

I took the SAT four times, raised my score by 200 points. It would never hurt to take the test more than once. The fee is practically nothing compared to potential scholarships. :)

[cartermia]

FP, I have to take the test next year but I have been studying for it with my sisters (they are seniors and I am a freshmen.) Just study, but don't over-study. You shall be fine. 

[CatholicsAreKewl]

Don't stress out too hard about this, Miles. It's good that you want to raise your score but keep in mind that programs who want very high scores might care more about their own reputation than the students themselves (the ACT isn't a good predictor of college performance).

Edited December 7, 2013 by CatholicsAreKewl

[Mary+Immaculate<3]

What is an ACT ?

The monster that lives under your bed.

[Mary+Immaculate<3]

I'd recommend trying hard to master the science section. It really isn't science, it's just graphs and rations and such, so if you "memorize" how to do that efficiently its not going to hurt as much. The science was so insanely hard for me since I've only ever done elementary level work on such subjects, and not under time pressure.