Can a low ACT math score be improved after taking geometry?

Question

My daughter took a free Princeton Review ACT practice test at a test facility under realistic conditions. She scored very low on the math, but she had not yet taken geometry or Algebra 2, nor had she studied for the test at all, and last, she had the flu and a fever of around 100. I was wondering how many points she may be able to improve. She is currently taking geometry and has a solid B.

I was also wondering if the Princeton Review might make the test harder to get you to sign up for their test prep classes.

Answer 1

I think her score will improve. The math section isn't that hard to improve on, since the questions are pretty straightforward. All she has to know are the concepts and formulas. There is a lot of geometry on the test. According to my Kaplan ACT Comprehensive Program (2008), there are 24 prealgebra and elementary algebra questions on the test, 10 intermediate algebra questions, 8 coordinate geo. questions, 14 plane geometry questions, and 4 trig. questions. Furthermore, since she didn't really study for the test, and had the flu, it's likely that she will do much better the second time around. The flu may have caused her a distraction and she may also have forgotten some algebra questions. I really can't tell you how many points she will gain, because that depends on how much she studies and what her score was, but I do think its likely and probable that she will improve if she studies. Good luck.