The ACT is a standardized test in America. It brings hope to all high schoolers regarding their college admissions.
Sometimes, the ACT causes pressure on all students because of how competitive Colleges are now. The better you score, the more attractive your college application becomes. Therefore, quality preparation must be emphasized more.
That’s why having the right tools to prepare for test day is essential. And what better tool than the best ACT prep books?
We have designed this part as you look for the best resources on the market.
Criteria for Evaluating ACT Prep Books
Choosing the right ACT prep book can be your best friend in your ACT preparation. While there are a lot of options that exist, not all are created equal.
It’s so important to pick a resource that is tailored and made just for you and how you want to study the ACT. Consider the following criteria:
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1. Good and Understandable Content
A good ACT prep book should cover all the topics that will be tested. For instance, the English section has grammar rules, so the reference has to have one. Maybe the book also needs to talk about subject-verb agreement as well.
Make sure that it explains every rule thoroughly. The ACT isn't just about recognizing the correct answer; it's about understanding the reasoning behind it.
- Look at the practice question. It should be like the ones you'll encounter on the actual ACT.
- Look for books that offer various difficulties and full-length practice tests.
Practicing with realistic questions helps you get a feel for the test. It improves your speed, accuracy, and confidence. -
2. Clear Explanation
After taking mock tests or tackling practice questions, detailed explanations should follow.
The books you choose should provide the correct answer. It also should contain an explanation of why that is the answer. It needs to be in an easy-to-understand manner.
Understanding where you went wrong and why is vital to avoiding the same mistakes in the future. Clear explanations can also boost your confidence with your answers.
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3. With Test-taking Strategies and Tips
Aside from your book having all the knowledge, look for those that provide strategies. These strategies need to include the following:
- How do you approach the questions per section?
- How to manage time efficiently?
- Tips for facing tricky questions
Since the ACT isn’t just about what you know—it’s about how you apply that knowledge.
Creating and knowing strategies can significantly boost your score. It can help you work faster and make educated guesses when needed.
When evaluating ACT prep books, always consider the best way for you to learn. Also, consider what you need.
Some of you prefer a book with loads of strategies, while some need to see more content. No matter what you choose, make sure it aligns with the criteria we mentioned.
Top Three ACT Prep Books
Now that you have the criteria, it’s time to find the guide that’s just right for you. Here is a detailed review of some of the best ACT preparation books.
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1. The Official ACT Prep Guide
This is the only prep book specifically designed by the makers of the ACT itself. You will like it for its authenticity, real past questions, and three full-length official mock tests. You can definitely have a taste of what can happen during test day.
Pros:
- Contains actual ACT test forms.
- Detailed answer explanations for each question.
- Offers an insider look at the design and logic behind the ACT.
Cons:
- Lacks in-depth strategies and tips.
- You may not find it not to be as comprehensive in terms of content.
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2. Barron's ACT Study Guide Premium
Barron's is a ‘popularly-talked-about book’ in the test prep industry.
The ACT guide contains a few features:
- Comprehensice content reviews
- Numerous practice questions and tests
When it comes to difficulty, it can be pretty challenging for your own benefit. So you can prepare for the worst and ensure you are ready for the actual day.
Pros:
- Thorough content review.
- Comes with bonus online practice tests.
- Offers tailored study schedules to help plan out your preparation.
Cons:
- Its practice questions can feel more complicated than those on the actual ACT.
- Explanations are too concise for complex problems.
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3. ACT Prep Black Book: The Most Effective ACT Strategies Ever Published
If you are looking for a book that is more about strategy than content, this is the one for you!
The "Black Book" pairs brilliantly with the official ACT guide. While the first two books we shared give you official questions, the "Black Book" equips you with practical strategies.
Pros:
- Effective strategies are not found in other prep books.
- Detailed information of real ACT questions.
- Focuses on understanding the test's format and logic, not just memorization.
Cons:
- It does not come with practice questions.
- It may be overwhelming without using one of the two top books.
Specialized ACT Prep Books
The ACT covers four to five subjects; sometimes, the same book may not work for everyone. We know you have specific areas you want to focus on or improve. For these specialized needs, consider these prep books:
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1. Math-focused books
The ACT math section tests on various topics, from algebra to trigonometry. Math-focused prep books dive into these areas. It gives you:
- Easy-to-understand explanations
- Practice problems
- Step-by-step solutions
These books can help you with the basics, complicated concepts, present shortcuts, and tackle challenging problems that might appear on the test.
Some books you can try are:
- Ultimate Guide to the Math ACT by Richard F. Corn
- ACT Math: The Guide: Skip the Prep Courses by Jacob Brezinski
- The College Panda's ACT Math: Advanced Guide and Workbook by Nielson Phu
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2. Science reasoning books
With data interpretation, experiment analysis, and hypotheses evaluation, you may need help processing all these.
Science reasoning books can help you with the skills to smoothly interpret graphs, charts, and scientific studies.
These books also provide strategies for approaching questions in this section.
You can look for these titles:
- For the Love of ACT Science: An innovative approach to Mastering the Science section of the ACT standardized exam by Michael Cerro
- ACT Science Mastery Level 1: The Ultimate Workbook to Help You Succeed on the ACT Science Test by Nielson Phu
- The Complete Guide to ACT Science by Dr. Steven Warner
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3. Reading and English guides
Do you want to enhance your reading speed, comprehension, and grammar skills?
These prep books contain tips and strategies for a few things:
- Quickly understanding passages
- Determining the main ideas
- Answering questions with accuracy.
Here are some books that provide grammar rules and usage commonly tested on the ACT English section:
- The Complete Guide to ACT English" by Erica L. Meltzer
- ACT Reading Practice Book by Khalid Khashoggi and Arianna Astuni
- ACT English, Reading, and Writing Prep Study Guide & Practice Test Questions by Test Prep Books
In A Nutshell
Your ACT journey are unique. With the right tools and a dedicated mindset, you can indeed master the ACT.
Whether starting with a general guide or you want specialized content, remember that believing in yourself and practicing is the key.
To help you manage your time dealing as you soon purchased one, use Testing Timers. We can help you optimize the best ACT prep books in time for the big day.
