I Sprinceton Review Act Ahrder Than the Actual Act
Has your reading list been taken over past Act prep books? There are a lot out there to choose from, and you want to make certain you're using loftier-quality materials that will get you set up for the ACT. This guide is meant to aid you lot choose the best Deed prep books to reach your goals. I've divided the books upwards into three categories: the disquisitional book you demand, the best books for general prep, and the best books past Human action section. Before jumping into my recommendations, a quick note near the perspective I'g coming from. If books are your preferred resource for studying, then they can take yous as far as you desire to go in prepping for the ACT. Since all of the following books have different strengths and weaknesses, I would recommend using a combination of several. That style one can make upwards for any content, strategy, or exercise questions that might be defective in another. At the same fourth dimension, it's upwardly to yous to make a written report plan and stick to it. This ACT volume listing has all the material you demand, merely it's upwardly to you lot to make the most of them. Because designing and sticking to a program is challenging to students at any age and level (the urge to procrastinate never goes away, to be honest), PrepScholar's online ACT prep plan has a great rail tape of helping students meet their goals. This program combines the best parts of each of these books while also edifice in a measure of accountability. PrepScholar's ACT prep program helps you design a study plan customized to your particular needs, strengths, and weaknesses, keep rail of your progress, and stick to your benchmarks over a sustained period of time. Regardless of what method works for yous, we're committed to giving all students access to the resources they need for bookish success. That's why nosotros publish detailed guides to the Human action every day, along with free Human activity practice examination pdfs for you to download and impress. That's besides why nosotros want to make sure you're using the best Human activity prep books available. To that end, allow's start by discussing the critical ACT prep volume that every pupil should buy. By calling this book critical, I mean every pupil should use this book to study for the ACT, regardless of her level or target scores. It's actually of import. Go alee and get information technology. I'll expect. Amazon price: about $40 Why is The Official Human action Prep Guide so crucial? Because it's made past the test makers themselves, meaning its practise questions are the all-time representations of what you'll see on the test. They were really already given on the test, on past administrations of the Human activity. All books have pros and cons, though, then let's consider where this one excels and where it has limitations. This book has the best sample questions considering they're real Act questions. That means the content volition match what you lot'll run into on the test (with one caveat — see the cons section beneath), as volition the format, timing, and wording of the questions. It's crucial to use existent practice questions to prep, and then you tin go used to the examination, know what to expect, and assess where you need more practice. The Reddish Book has six full-length practice tests, all of which were previously administered official tests. It likewise has over 400 questions available online that y'all can access with a lawmaking you get when yous buy the book. While this volume is the best source of practice questions, it'south not the all-time book for other aspects of your test prep. Let's consider some of its drawbacks. While the Ruddy Book is a great source for practice questions, information technology'south non the virtually thorough when it comes to reviewing concepts or learning strategies. It'southward especially weak when information technology comes to exam-taking strategies, since the ACT test makers are like magicians: they don't desire to reveal their tricks. Another weakness of this book has to do with the answer explanations. They could be more thorough. Other books practice a better job of walking through the steps of answering a question or solving a trouble. This helps you develop a thought process for successfully approaching and answering questions. Finally, it turns out that not all exercise tests are equivalent. While ACT, Inc. hasn't announced any changes to the exam, many experts agree that the Human action has been gradually changing (ie, getting more difficult) over the years. In particular, they more often than not agree that the Scientific discipline section has become more challenging and the Reading faster paced. The practice tests and questions in this book don't ever reflect these changes. In fact, many questions in this book seem to be easier than what you'll encounter on test solar day. You may find yourself scoring higher on these practice tests than on the real Act. Since the Ruddy Volume is best for practice questions, you would need to supplement it with other Human activity books that review content and teach strategies. Beneath is my Deed training books list, divided by the all-time full general books, followed by my suggestions for subject field-specific study guides. The books that are best for overall written report address all sections of the ACT, English, Reading, Math, Scientific discipline, and the optional essay. Some excel in reviewing content, while others are better for strategies, similar managing your time, recognizing question blazon, and speed reading the passages. All of these books tin exist used alongside the Red Book, where y'all tin can employ what you've learned on real sample questions. Let'south bound into the pros and cons of each. Amazon toll: almost $21 for book, about $fourteen for digital Pros If y'all're looking for a large amount of content, strategies, and practice questions all in ane large Human activity prep book, then Barron'southward ACT Premium Study Guide is a good choice. It's a traditional prep volume with a thorough review of the concepts that will appear on each section of the ACT. It begins with an introduction to the ACT and suggested report plan, followed by an ACT "dress rehearsal," or diagnostic test to measure your initial level. Then information technology discusses each test department in depth, with examination-taking tactics, skills and concepts, question types, and practice questions. You'll too get two full-length practice tests and two online exercise tests as part of the volume's package. Barron'southward Act Premium Study Guide is a good volume for general study, but in that location's likewise Barron'southward for a 36 for those students aiming for a perfect score. Barron'southward also has subject specific workbooks, such as Barron'south Human action Math and Science Workbook, for fifty-fifty more do questions. At present for the downsides of Barron's Premium Human activity. Cons The general feeling around Barron's test prep books is that the do questions are actually more than difficult than real ACT questions. Some become beyond the test in terms of the concepts they test, while others are simply worded in an overly circuitous way. While "overpreparing" is not necessarily a bad thing, information technology could be an ineffective use of your time. Plus Barron's practice tests might not requite you the truest sense of your scoring level. While Barron's is very comprehensive, this thoroughness might also be a drawback for some students. The sheer amount of cloth can feel overwhelming, and information technology means students take the actress task of breaking up their studying into smaller, more manageable goals. Reading information technology cover to cover wouldn't be the most effective arroyo, and so y'all have to break it up into an order that makes sense for yous. Without a frequency guide that prioritizes some concepts over others, this may feel like additional work. The thoroughness of Barron's Deed is a strength, merely it also signifies extra commitment from you. Amazon price: about $17 Pros Like Barron'southward Human activity, Princeton Review's Cracking the Human activity is a comprehensive, traditional test prep volume that provides a full review of content, strategies, and do questions. It devotes a lot of time to math and science, whereas the reading and English sections of the volume are shorter. This book clearly states important grammar rules and math concepts y'all need to know, while suggesting thought processes to use when taking the test. It talks about how best to use procedure of elimination, what order to answer the questions in to salve time, and how to recall through questions that exit you stumped. Each section has drills and example questions. This book besides provides eight full practice tests, four of which are in the book itself and iv of which are online. And since practise tests are an of import role of Deed prep, that'south a great affair! Cons This book has similar downsides as Barron's Human action. As a big, comprehensive book, it tin experience overwhelming and be difficult to approach. Since it's a traditional prep book, some students might detect its style dry and hard to stay engaged with. Since the practise questions aren't official, they aren't the best representation of existent ACT questions. Dissimilar Barron'southward overly hard fabric, though, Princeton Review can be too easy. If y'all're looking to boost your scores into acme percentiles, Princeton Review is probably non the volume that volition get y'all there. Instead, books like Barron's and the subject-specific books below are better for achieving meridian scores. Amazon toll: about $28 for book, about $15 for digital Pros While Barron'southward and Princeton Review encompass all aspects of ACT prep, the Act Black Book is more than narrow in its focus. By this I hateful the Black Book is less concerned with educational activity you math and English skills and more concerned with teaching you lot virtually how the test works. According to the author, Mike Barrett, the ACT is a predictable test that uses the same template year after year. If you study the question types and patterns, then you tin recognize exactly what each question is request you. In a sense, you tin can vanquish the test by truly agreement how it works in an in-depth way. Barrett suggests that any student can score highly on the Human activity regardless of their academic performance in school. Doing well is almost how you think most the questions and avoid the mutual pitfalls of tricky wording and distracting respond choices. As Barrett says, the Deed is but difficult because "it tests the basics—but in very foreign means." Cons The major con for The Black Volume is that it has no ACT practise questions of its ain. Because it refers to questions from the Red Book, it has to be used alongside it. The Black Book doesn't have also many lessons on concepts, either. For what information technology does have, the Math and Reading are stronger than the English and Science. The Blackness Book presupposes that you already have the skills down, and then shows you how to apply them on the ACT. That'southward why it must be used in conjunction with some other book for content review, and probably only afterwards you possess the requisite skills. Additionally, at virtually $28, this is i of the more expensive Act prep books. Because information technology's a wordy, in-depth look at the construction, format, and tricks of the ACT, it requires a lot of dedication and motivation from students. The Blackness Book volition teach you a lot, but you take to really have the fourth dimension and energy to appoint with it. The Black Book is best for students willing to delve into the material and thereby gain a deep understanding of the ACT and how it works. Amazon toll: virtually $10 for volume, about $9 for digital Pros The Cloak-and-dagger Guide takes a more fun approach to Act prep. It breaks down the format and concepts of the test in a humorous manner, and offers some test-taking strategies. It'southward written past test-takers who share their experiences and understand what the unabridged process is similar. Unlike other books, it delves into issues of stress and force per unit area surrounding the tests and offers advice for taming your nerves. Plus it has a recipe for "GameFace Quintuple Sugar Smash Bars," if you lot're into that kind of thing. Cons This volume is a lighthearted departure from more serious, traditional prep books. While information technology's a relatively fun way to introduce yourself to the Act and proceeds some intriguing insights from one-time test-takers, information technology'south probably not sufficient as your only source of test prep. It might be more similar a "pre-volume" to first out your studying, articulate up questions and anxieties effectually the examination, and learn about what the exam and feel is similar in an engaging style. To gain more rigorous review of different sections of the ACT, I recommend checking out these discipline-specific books listed below. Also, this book hasn't been updated since 2017. If you're wanting the most upwards-to-date resource, this isn't going to be the right book for you. Are y'all looking to pay special attending to the math section of the Human activity? These books focus specifically on ACT math, so they tin be especially useful if this is where you lot're trying to improve your scores the most. My two recommendations are the Ultimate Guide to the Math Human activity and McGraw Loma'south Top fifty Skills for Math. Amazon price: almost $25 for book, virtually $5 for digital Pros The Ultimate Guide to the Math Human action gives clear, well-crafted lessons of each math topic that shows up on the ACT math, similar algebra and geometry. It also breaks them down into smaller subtopics, like functions and plane geometry. It covers everything you lot need to know and doesn't get across the concepts that will appear on the test. It also has high-level strategies for solving issues, saving time, and prepping in the near effective and efficient way. Cons The answer explanations to the do issues are not as thorough as they could exist. Also, this book doesn't walk you through the steps of solving the problem like the ACT Black Book does, pregnant yous could run into confusion with a similar problem. Finally, this ACT prep book doesn't have a frequency guide that shows you how often to expect certain concepts or identify levels of difficulty. This means it's up to you to figure this out and prioritize your studying. Amazon price: most $18 for book, about $10 for digital Pros McGraw Hill'southward Superlative fifty Skills for Math, different a lot of other math review books, is written in an engaging way. Information technology discusses 50 critical math skills you lot need for the ACT, along with sample questions illustrating each concept. A particular strength of this ACT prep book is that it walks you through solving the bug from outset to end, which can aid your thinking when yous're taking the real exam. This book has a diagnostic pre-test you lot can utilise to assess your skills starting out, as well as a post-examination to gauge your progress. Cons Since this book is more focused on teaching the top 50 math skills, it's limited in terms of exercise questions. This book would all-time be used to review concepts aslope the Blood-red Book and another source of practise questions. While this volume is useful for students at all levels, it doesn't provide actress strategies or tips beyond the ordinary. It'southward probably not the volume that will push motivated students into the top percentile of scores. In terms of the English and Reading sections of the ACT, my top recommendation comes from Erica Meltzer. Amazon cost: about $30 Pros Erica Meltzer teaches you almost the different types of English questions and drills y'all on those question types. She explains the of import grammar and usage rules you demand to answer these questions correctly, like parallel structure, sentences and fragments, fifty-fifty punctuation marks similar apostrophes and dashes. The practice questions are grouped by skill so y'all tin drill your understanding of each dominion. This book is straightforward, to the point, and covers the most important skills and rules yous demand to know. Cons Ane obvious con is this book is relatively expensive considering it only covers ane of the iv sections on the ACT. Information technology is helpful for learning and drilling all the grammar rules, but not sufficient every bit a source of practise questions. While information technology'due south helpful that Erica Meltzer groups the questions past skill, the actual Human action will inquire these questions randomly. You'll have to movement beyond this book to make sure you can identify the skill without it existence pre-labeled in the volume. Amazon toll: about $29 Pros Both the reading passages and practice questions are high quality and realistic in Erica Meltzer'south The Complete Guide to ACT Reading. Erica Meltzer does a adept job of teasing autonomously the skills yous need to develop for this section, which can be harder to identify than, say, the math department. She gives activities to drill each skill, as well as discusses strategies for reading the passages and saving time. For more pieces of communication, you tin can check out her weblog, The Critical Reader. Cons Similar her English volume, this one is relatively pricey. Bought together, they total roughly $50, and that's only to encompass English language and Reading. Some students find her writing style to exist a bit dry, while others capeesh that it'south directly and to the point. While the fabric is loftier quality, the layout is not compelling. It as well has pocket-size font and not peculiarly artistic graphics. Fifty-fifty though many students find the Science section to be the most challenging part of the ACT, until recently at that place were no books specifically defended to helping you on Human action Science. At PrepScholar, we know all the tricks for making Deed Science easier, and so we decided to compile them into a book. Amazon toll: virtually $15 for volume, about $5 for eBook This book covers every topic, skill, and question type yous'll see on ACT Science which means that nothing on this department will come as a surprise on test day. It includes a list of every science fact you could be tested on, so you're only studying the science data you need to know. It likewise contains multiple strategies for tackling Human action Science passages so you tin can choose the method that works best for you. Nearly importantly, this book contains all of our all-time Act Science test-taking tricks. Many students get tripped upwards on the Science section considering it's so dissimilar from the science tests they've taken in school. However, this books shows yous how to identify every flim-flam in Act Science and acquire how to avoid getting fooled by them so y'all can find the correct answer chop-chop and more hands. While every chapter in this book includes sample questions to help you see and understand dissimilar concepts, there is no final quiz or exam department at the end of the book. To fully practice everything you lot've learned from this volume, we recommend taking total-length Science sections. Additionally, correct now the book is only available equally an due east-volume, then you tin't buy a hard copy if that'south how yous adopt to report. Studying for the Act probably isn't at the top of your favorite things to exercise. For a lot of students, it requires a lot of self-discipline to sit downwardly and drill yourself on the skills you need for English language, Reading, Math, and Science. Given this, you certainly don't want to be wasting your fourth dimension. If you lot're taking the time report, you should see results. To make sure you're prepping effectively and learning the skills you need to know, I would recommend exploring all your test prep options. For instance, you lot tin can learn a lot about the Human action (for gratis!) from our diverse detailed study guides. A lot less expensive (and lighter) than all these recommended ACT preparation books, since unfortunately in that location's no Human action preparation books free download. These are simply a few of the most useful guides, and nosotros're adding new ones every twenty-four hours. All of us at PrepScholar have been through the standardized testing procedure and understand what's at stake. Nosotros also know that it'due south important to prep in a way that'southward customized to you equally a pupil, celebrates your authentic learning style, and doesn't feel ho-hum or boring. You tin can try a 5-day complimentary trial of our online ACT prep program to encounter if it works for you. You tin learn exactly how PrepScholar customizes your study programme, keeps runway of your progress, and helps you stay accountable to your goals. While books offer a ton of information, their very thoroughness adds extra challenge to an already high stakes state of affairs. Before spending your time and coin on all these books, consider how you best learn and what your goals are so you can brand things easier on yourself and determine your all-time approach. How long should you study before y'all accept the ACT? Check out our recommended report program here. When are you going to take the ACT for the commencement time? How many times practice you programme to take it? This article discusses the near important factors in choosing your exam dates. Want to meliorate your Human activity score past 4+ points? Download our free guide to the pinnacle v strategies you lot demand in your prep to improve your ACT score dramatically. These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If y'all purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a committee. 
FYI: A Disclaimer
The Critical Book for ACT Prep
The Official Act Prep Guide (or the "Red Book")
Pros
Cons
Best ACT Books for Overall Study
Barron'due south Human action Premium Study Guide
Princeton Review'southward Premium Human action Prep
The ACT Black Volume
Up Your Score: Human action, The Underground Guide
Best Books for ACT Math
Ultimate Guide to the Math ACT
McGraw Loma's Pinnacle fifty Skills for Math
Best ACT Prep Books for English and Reading
Erica Meltzer'due south The Complete Guide to ACT English
The Complete Guide to ACT Reading
Best Book for Act Science
The PrepScholar Guide to Act Science
Pros
Cons
Is Studying from Books the Best Option for Yous?
What's Next?
Rebecca graduated with her Master'south in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has years of teaching and higher counseling experience and is passionate nigh helping students achieve their goals and improve their well-existence. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University and scored in the 99th percentile on the Saturday.
Source: https://blog.prepscholar.com/the-10-best-act-books-recommended-for-act-prep
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