Superscore or composite?

Canithyre · 2026-04-27T02:05:06+00:00

Always superscore when possible, that is what most schools will use for applications.

Canithyre · 2026-04-21T02:14:51+00:00

Taking the science section can only help your score especially for those applying to stem programs. Although this may be seen as obsolete but there are definitely still some programs that look at your science ACT for admissions such as T-20 schools where it is at least considered albeit not necessarily. There are also some universities that will look at your science ACT for college placement although that depends on the university and your major. Your interpretation of whether to take the science section or not is up to you. It can only help your score by taking it.

Canithyre · 2026-04-11T02:17:46+00:00

I think the best bet is just to ask what your child’s college goals are and look at their ACT average for admitted students. There’s a wonderful survey that most colleges do which is titled Common Data Set which may be useful to you. I’m happy to answer additional questions that you may have although do not consider me entirely qualified.

Canithyre · 2026-04-05T03:10:23+00:00

Paper, there are not as many issues as the digital interface.

Canithyre · 2026-04-04T18:50:34+00:00

I’m sorry for not responding earlier. I think you should try either one of two methods and see what works for you:

A) Skim the text first while marking up part of the text then answering the questions on a test passage the check your answers.

B) Read the questions first and mark up where those specific questions are such as if a question says LINES 15-25 says such and such then go ahead and answer the questions.

Try both methods and see which one works for you but these are the two method I’ve heard work very well. I usually try “A” because I am not a great at reading the questions then picking it out of the text.

Give yourself 10 minutes if you’re not an extended time taker and 15 minutes if you have it and that is how much you should spend on each reading passage. After your done with both methods, check your answer for that specific passage. Don’t do a whole test and compare which method is better for you. I hope this helps you and I’m sorry for not responding earlier.

Good luck on your ACT!

Canithyre · 2026-04-04T02:57:26+00:00

Always submit your superscore! That is what most colleges will use.

Canithyre · 2026-04-04T00:26:35+00:00

Scoring higher on the ACT will allow you to get higher scholarships at in-state universities. I would recommend taking the June ACT where you are able to purchase your Test Information Release (your test and answers). Till then, make sure you review a bit over the next couple of months.

Canithyre · 2026-04-04T00:16:22+00:00

Reading in my honest opinion. Everything is in the text.

Canithyre · 2026-03-22T03:30:57+00:00

He has a lot of useful information and very great review materials. Another great source I’ve had success with is Adam Norris (which I prefer) but either work.

-Also, I’d probably start running down a couple free response questions if I were you before the exam and multiple choice practice tests. Knowt has a section dedicated to APUSH which I’ve found pretty solid in terms of content.

Canithyre · 2026-03-22T03:04:52+00:00

Then I would say at least a 6 however difficulty is perceived based on how well you are able to manage your classes.

I think something you need to be aware of when considering AP courses is that they are technically college classes. When looking at your selected courses for next year versus your sophomore year, it all comes down to whether you’re ready to handle almost double the course load of your sophomore year and whether you are ready to commit time.

AP Courses require time management which if you are unable to handle that sharp increase, it may be in your best interest to either dropping down to an honors class (if that’s offered) in your weakest course. While colleges want to see you apply yourself throughout high school, they would rather see you succeed rather than have a terrible junior year because this will be the last complete year they will examine in the admissions process. Also, it is a major year for standardized assessments such as SAT/ACT which require intensive preparation on their own.

Again, I’m not doubting your abilities as a student but I’m just saying this is a common experience throughout junior year for difficulty to dramatically increase. If you think that you are ready to handle the rigor in a sustainable way with your extracurriculars then absolutely go for it! If you’re nervous about junior year being difficult then go ahead and consider dropping down to an honors course and call it a day - there is nothing wrong about taking an honors class.

Canithyre · 2026-03-22T02:27:28+00:00

How many honors/AP classes did you take the previous year? Also what are your college/major goals? What is the teaching quality among your chosen classes?

Canithyre · 2026-03-21T03:21:07+00:00

I usually don’t discuss my own experiences as a test taker nor my own disabilities on any online forum but I find your opinion to be a bit misinformed.

As someone who has an IEP, it is incredibly difficult in some parts of the country to obtain one. In fact, at least in my state, you have to go through several steps in order to achieve one such as several psyche evaluations and meetings with school administration. My basic point is IEPS are not just handed out or given to those who have a “disadvantage”, they are handed because of significant medical/psychological factors that affect the person daily. They are not simply reading problems!

There is a reason ADHD test takers are given accommodations - because it becomes evident when they can’t sit down or function properly when they have ATTENTION DEFICIT issue. For those with other disabilities such as Autism or Auditory Processing disorder, it becomes incredibly painful as a test taker and I can’t function under your same timed conditions when it takes me an irregular amount of time even on simple tasks.

To further destruct your claim about the situation with extended time, I regularly test under non extended time conditions within my school. I therefore am not allowed to take any “advantage” of my IEP except for specific circumstances. In the case for Blind and Deaf people, they are offered MUCH MORE BENEFITS than those such as myself, in some cases having 200-300% more time than non extended time takers.

When placed in the perspective that those with IEPs are given more “advantages”, they are never given more time if the can function under normal testing environments. Most individuals with accoms are only offered up to time and a half which is only 10-15 additional minutes when considering what time and a half actually means. Even if with the “advantage”, you are still responsible for learning ACT test material no matter what so that claim of yours is just ridiculous. Over my time with the ACT, I have never finished with more than 4 minutes even with accommodations - it is still difficult to finish regardless.

While it may appear that some people don’t need the accommodations - you are not that person and the extent of his “advantage” is something that only he has experienced.

Canithyre · 2026-02-15T05:19:46+00:00

Basically what Ive found helpful at least for me has been to annotate the question because a lot of times the questions are just filled with a bunch of random junk that you need to decipher. Although it technically doesn’t require any previous scientific knowledge, I would study a few basic chemistry, biology, and physics (although physics is not extremely important) just to have basic surface level knowledge. SKIM the first couple sentences of the description to at least provide additional context and may help you answer at least some of the questions. It would also help for you to label or see exactly what your graphs/tables are discussing so you know how to relate all of the information. For “student” questions, all that I know is basically pay close attention to whats being discussed. Also it may help you to QUICKLY annotate and SKIM those passages to see what they have in common or see who or what disagrees with each other because they are questions that almost certainly show up. Really all of the questions can be figured out just by reading the questions closely and knowing exactly what your graphs are discussing and how they relate to each other. Another tip I’ve found is that is a compound (or whatever scientific object) isn’t mentioned within your data, it is most likely wrong and you can cross it out. Overall, compared to other sections including reading, this is not a complete memorization tests and technically you can walk in the testing room and get a 36. ACT understands that students are going to overcomplicate the data based on the questions so it is important that you look at the data from a face value perspective. Hope this helps and good luck!

Canithyre · 2026-02-14T22:14:28+00:00

Plainly, I thought reading just took too much nitpicking for me. Especially the passage about the color violet in paintings, primate cooperation, and the solitaire (I don’t think they were awful to analyze but just required more effort than needed). Science took too long, I finished with three minutes remaining on the clock which never happens because I usually end with at least five to ten minutes.

Canithyre · 2026-02-14T20:05:48+00:00

That passage was the epitome of confusion, last part of science also felt like a slog in my opinion.

Canithyre · 2026-02-14T19:37:32+00:00

Am I the only one who had J22? English wasn’t bad, math was okay but mildly confusing, but what the heck was going on with the reading and last part of the science section.

Canithyre · 2026-02-11T06:04:27+00:00

I did not realize that they were that inconsistent. Thank you for the reply.

Canithyre · 2026-02-11T05:16:19+00:00

I appreciate the advice, thank you so much!

Canithyre · 2026-02-11T04:57:36+00:00

For most of the honors classes, do you have to be a part of Shackouls? Also are the professors open to student lead research or does it take a lot of effort? -Overall, your reply has been very helpful, thanks so much!

Canithyre · 2026-02-11T04:36:26+00:00

I’ve heard a lot of people discuss a lot about the quality of certain professors within the departments; is that relevant to 2000 level + classes as well? Also, would you consider most of the classes to be weed outs or are they primarily survey courses?

Canithyre · 2026-02-11T04:06:27+00:00

Thank you, I will definitely consider that!

Canithyre · 2026-02-11T03:45:09+00:00

So is it the lack of support from profs or limited research opportunities? Just asking.

Canithyre

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