[Vampyr]

I got a 30 on the ACT, and I recently took the PSAT, though I havnt got my scores back yet.

If the PSAT is anything like the SAT, it's not horribly bad. The ACT is more of an achievement test...testing what you know, how quickly you can do it, and how good you are at, well, taking the ACT.

The SAT's aren't like that. They are more of a skills test, testing what you are capable of doing. (though you still have to have some knowledge of things.) Also, you want to be careful on the SAT...because if you guess and get it wrong, you are deducted 1/4 point (I think).

I would recommend reviewing some basic geometry and algebra before taking it, and looking up a few things on speed reading. Time limits can suck if you are a slow worker. Some people dont have a problem with them, but I usually do. I can finish the reading parts in no time (I had five minutes left over to just chill on the reading part of the ACT), but even though I am good at Math, I am a slow worker. So the time limits are bad, but you can practice a little and get around them.

When you sign up to take the SAT, a practice test comes with the registration packet. Maybe you could find more online if you needed them?

As to how long it takes to study...pretty much up to you. You could take it once and not study, just for a test run to get the feel for it, then take it again and study and try to do awesome. Or you could just study a lot and try to ace the first one.

A couple of tips for when you do take it:
1. In the reading sections, dont try reading the questions and going back to find the answers. That DOES NOT work. You will not get finished doing that. Your best bet is to read the passage as fast as you can,, then answer the questions. Avoid rereading things. Often people assume they need to reread something to understand it, but you dont. Just read as fast as you can, and you will recall more than you think you will, and if you cant remember something, it will be fairly easy to find the answer. Also, try increasing your reading span. You can practice doing this on everything you read: the practice test, newspapers, internet, books, or magazines. What I mean by "reading span" is train your eyes to read more than one word at a time. Like, 5 or 6 words at a time.

2. Most questions have 5 choices to choose from. If you can narrow it down to AT LEAST 3 or 4, guess.

3. Graphing calculators help a lot. I recommend a good TI-83.

4. Relax when you take it. Even if you dont do awesome, you can always take it again.