What are the reasons for getting a low ACT score?
Legal LawSometimes smart students think they have it for the ACT too. But surprisingly, they score low on this standardized test. Have you experienced the same?
Smart students scoring low on the ACT happens quite often. In fact, it is a common problem. However, there are ways around it, such as by using the most effective test prep techniques. You can maintain your excellent performance in the classroom and on the ACT with the right strategies. The first thing you need to do is understand the reasons why some high achievers in your class score low on the ACT.
The tendency of many intelligent students is to become complacent, thinking that the ACT is simply the same as the usual tests they take in school. Moreover, this is not the case. Why?
Several subjects are included in the exam. When you take the ACT, you will take a comprehensive exam that covers Math, Science, Literature, and Writing. While in the classroom, if you are going to take a math test, all you have to do is study math. That is why studying for the ACT is more rigorous and you must participate in an effective review program before taking it. An ACT test prep routine tends to be more challenging and time consuming.
There is a time limit to follow when taking each section of the exam. The time pressure when it comes to ACT can be overwhelming. It can cause test anxiety that results in poor performance and low ACT scores.
You will find test questions and answer options that can be misleading. Test takers must be meticulous and cautious because there are elements in the ACT that could mislead them. You may think you have marked the correct bubble, but in reality you are wrong. It is not the same as the typically simple tests taken in high school.
Expectations are high when tackling the ACT. This could be distressing for many students. As an important standardized test, your ACT score will determine whether or not you will gain admission to a high-quality college. Because of this, you may try too hard, and the frustration you feel may lead to a low score.
Different ACT Problem Scenarios and How to Solve Them
Scenario 1
You may be using the wrong study methods. How was your preparation for the ACT? Have you done it effectively and in good time? By the day of taking the exam, you may have answered all the questions within the time limit. You also don’t worry about test anxiety. Things seemed to be looking up, but he was disappointed when his report card came in. You scored low on ACT! Why did this happened?
The resolution:
There are many cases of students who have studied for a long time before taking the ACT, but when they got the results, they were horrified to get a low score. A classroom math whiz can’t always pass the ACT math test. This section of the ACT generally covers more topics, requiring more skills and knowledge. Also note that writing some questions and answering selections on the test can be difficult. Try to change your study focus for your repetition. Keep in mind that common ways of studying for a test in the classroom may not be enough when preparing for the ACT.
For example, take more ACT practice tests. Research has shown that a good syllabus should include 30% of the practice tests. Practice tests can acclimate you to the ACT format and focus, increasing your confidence and eliminating test anxiety.
Scenario n. 2
You were too confident and didn’t study enough for the exam. Smart students have a penchant for excelling on their classroom tests. They may think the ACT is as easy as typical high school exams, so they randomly prepared for it. However, they score low on the ACT.
The resolution:
Keep in mind that the ACT is different from the usual tests you face in high school. If you don’t use this approach, you may get confused. The creators of the ACT have designed their test to measure students’ skills and knowledge. Hence, they doused it with a healthy dose of misleading and deceptive elements. Succumbing to it can ultimately result in a low score.
Practice everything you can to combat this phenomenon. Schedule your ACT test so you have plenty of time to study it. Preferably a few months. Organize a routine study program using reliable and effective online and offline test preparation resources. It is particularly important to take the ACT practice tests regularly. Three or four practice tests throughout the entire test preparation period might be enough to prepare you to tackle the format and structure of the test. Be sure to check your wrong answers and figure out why you missed them. Know your pain points and build on them so that you are ready and able to take the ACT despite its complexities.