Download The Official ACT Prep Guide 201819 Edition Book + Bonus Online Content ACT Books

Product details Series Official ACT Prep Guide Paperback 864 pages Publisher Wiley; 1 edition (June 6, 2018) Language English ISBN-10 9781119508069 ISBN-13 978-1119508069 ASIN 1119508061

The Official ACT Prep Guide 201819 Edition Book + Bonus Online Content ACT Books Reviews

• This review is for the HARD COPY version.
  
  I’ve been tutoring the ACT for over a decade, have scored perfectly on it as an adult, and have coached a student to a perfect score, as well as many others to perfect scores on individual sections. I run a Youtube channel offering free ACT / SAT prep and college advice (SupertutorTV) and also have created an online prep course for the ACT. In short, I know the ACT.
  
  When it comes to ACT prep books, the number one advice I have for my students is to USE AUTHENTIC MATERIALS from the test maker. That means if you’re taking the ACT, and can afford nothing but one book, this is the number one resource I would recommend. The ACT test got a minor reboot in 2014 when ACT added probability items to the math section, reduced the number of science passages from 7 to 6, and added a dual reading passage section. The ACT has also revamped the essay a couple of times since 2014. This book reflects all those changes better than any previous books.
  
  There are a few updates this book includes that the previous editions of the book don’t
  1) A new, 4th test included in the book (awesome!). This is a recent test (form code 74C) that was administered in June 2017
  2) Access to an online question “bank” instead of printable pdf versions of the “bonus” questions that came with older versions of this guide (2015-2016 and the latest 2016-2017 which has no date on the cover). (not awesome!). Each book includes a scratch off code, so best to purchase new, not used, if you want to take advantage of these online questions. As before, these include around 100 of each subject matter pulled from the Real ACT Prep guide that has since been taken out of print.
  3) Essays that reflect the latest version of the essay prompt (previously, the question required students to integrate “multiple perspectives” or all three perspectives. The newer version of the prompt is reworded and broader, asking students to incorporate “at least one” other perspective; other versions of the prep guide may not include the correct prompts for the essay).
  
  Why four stars then? Well, this update to last year’s guide has a few disappointments.
  
  My number one complaint is the fact that the question bank is now online only. Having the ability to PRINT the bonus questions made them much more valuable, and this was possible with the older version of this same guide.
  Studies have shown that students focus less when reading from screens and performance may be affected. Additionally, it’s best to prep using the same method you would use when actually taking the test. That makes your practice experience closer to your testing experience. Printing to paper gives students that experience. Doing questions in a question bank online doesn’t.
  
  The other issue with the question bank is that it randomizes the order of the questions and passages. Though this may not matter for some sections, in the math it means it’s harder to tell which math questions should be “easy” and which ones “hard” so that students can more easily do the ones that are most applicable to them. In the past version the start of the packet was on the easy side and around question 40 the questions got harder, and then reset after question 50 and again after question 75. It wasn’t perfect, but easier to track than this mess of an online system, at least for tutors trying to assign the hardest questions to students, or students looking for streaks of hard questions.
  
  Additionally, the OFFICIAL ACT PREP GUIDE (this book) and all versions of it borrows heavily from the previous book of ACT Tests pre 2014 changes called The Real ACT (CD) 3rd Edition (Official Act Prep Guide), particularly in the math sections (more on this below). That's kind of annoying, as it means you can't buy both books and get 9 tests. If you buy both you get more like 7 tests. I know the other one is out of print, but it would still be nice to be able to buy that book used and get even more tests to practice with in complete form.
  
  Now let’s first discuss what this includes
  
  1) Four “real” ACT tests.
  The first three exams appear to be identical to the previous editions of this guide. I’ve noted the form codes these were sourced from in case you know of these past exams.
  Test 1 (diagnostic) English, Reading, Science (Jun 2015 73C), Math (73C+10 random questions from The Real ACT Prep Guide exams, mix of exams, and a few originals),
  Test 2 English, Reading, Science (Apr 2015 73G), Math (random questions from The Real ACT Prep Guide exams, mostly from Exam #2, and a few originals),
  Test 3English (Test 5 from Real ACT Prep Guide), Reading, Science (Test 4 from Real ACT Prep Guide), Math (Many from test 4 from the Real ACT Prep Guide, some random from that Guide, plus a few 73G questions and a few originals.)
  Test 4 June 2017 Code 74C, all sections
  
  2) Essay prompts
  All tests include a complete essay prompt; a fifth prompt is in the chapter on the essay, for five total prompts.
  
  3) Chapters that review the basic content of each section and have some example questions
  
  Though this might seem to be a great resource, advice from the test makers is rarely as good as advice from private tutors who write books. I’m probably biased (I’m a private tutor who is working on writing some ACT books), but even before I wrote books, I knew the best tips I found for my students weren’t from the test makers. Ideas like “read carefully and thoroughly," are terrible advice for some students who when doing so can’t even finish half of a section. Many students are better off FINISHING than reading everything carefully. True, the book also has pacing strategies, but they aren’t written based on people who are on the ground with students trying to help them exploit test weaknesses or maximize scores. Sure, in an ideal world we we be good little students and do everything the “right” way, but real test prep is about optimization, not being a “good student.” It’s about working within the constraints of the test and maximizing your ability to get questions right. The idea that some students are different and your strategy may be different from someone else’s isn’t really accounted for here in a clear way. The voice of the book feels more objective than insightful in its advice.
  The biggest value of this book is the real tests, not the section advice. If you want test prep advice, get another book from an independent tutor. Still, content tips in the English and Math could be somewhat useful for those with no other resources or limited budgets.
  
  ALSO Many of the “real” examples from these topic based chapters are part of fully released exams from prior years, such as 61C (the packet released free of charge in 2008-2009). As a result, the example material is not a huge boon for students, but actual a bit of a "spoiler" for anyone who digs up these old, free, released pdf tests online and wants to use them to practice full exams.
  
  If you’re looking to maximize your access to REAL materials, here are your other options
  1) Upgrade to the The Official ACT Prep Pack with 6 Full Practice Tests (4 in Official ACT Prep Guide + 2 Online) and get access to two online tests in addition to the four tests in the book. Practicing online, though, is not ideal if you’re taking this on paper. (See my note above) (ACT now offers a small percentage of test takers the opportunity to take the test on computers, but I don’t recommend doing so).
  
  2) Get a copy of the The Real ACT (CD) 3rd Edition (Official Act Prep Guide)in addition to this book.
  You’ll likely want to skip most of the math sections except for anecdotal practice (particularly tests 4 and 2 which show up heavily on the math section of the newer book), but other sections are useful. Know that the reading has no dual passages, and that the science has more passages but the same number of questions. Also, avoid English test #5, and Science and Reading test #4, as these are identical to test #3 in the Official Guide you would get from this page.
  
  3) Find the previously released free exams that ACT.org has offered students from prior years before the test tweaks in 2014.
  There is one free right now at ACT.org, and many sites have cataloged old editions of the Preparing for the ACT packet from past years. A quick online search for Free PDF ACT practice tests or "Preparing for the ACT" pdf should help you find some of these.
  
  Overall
  Get this for the tests (you can't beat real tests!)
  Skip most of the chapter advice by topic (Math, Science, Reading, etc.) unless you can't afford more books or alternate options.
  Online materials are ok but not perfect.
  
  One final note I've also purchased the version. It is nearly illegible on the portions of the book that are the test; you can't zoom in on these pages at all so the print is so tiny it can't be read. Total waste of money. I do not recommend it at all. Previous versions on the were much better quality and were far more useable. I don't know why this one is so terrible.
• I'm a Harvard grad, ACT perfect 36 scorer and professional test-prep tutor since 2002. Over the years I have coached my students to scores as high as 36.
  
  The Official ACT Prep Guide, 2018-19 Edition is the same book as previous editions, such as the Official ACT Prep Guide 2018 and the Official ACT Prep Guide 2016-2017, other than the fact that it now includes a 4th paper test (the June 2017 ACT Form 74C) and some minor updates/revisions, most notably to the wording of the essay prompts in the Writing section of each exam. Yet this book continues to be the most essential preparation guide for the ACT, because it is the only source of official test questions—the practice ACTs in all other books are nothing more than subpar imitations of the real thing.
  
  Below are my top 13 recommendations for ACT Preparation
  
  1) Official ACT Practice Tests. You can access 4 official Practice Tests in the newest edition of the Official ACT Prep Guide, but you can also access many others for free online.
  
  Make sure not only to take the tests, but to create an error log and review your mistakes in detail afterward. Keep in mind that all other sources of ACT practice questions are subpar (but sometimes necessary) imitations of the real thing.
  
  Yes, the older tests are still helpful despite being (slightly) different and (slightly) easier than more recent ACTs. These older ACTs are still great for practice--just don't trust the scoring conversions.
  
  2) College Panda ACT Math series
  
  a) ACT Math Advanced Guide and Workbook The College Panda's ACT Math Advanced Guide and Workbook
  b) ACT Math Workbook More Advanced Practice by Topic The College Panda's ACT Math Workbook More Advanced Practice By Topic
  
  3) Erica Meltzer ACT Reading and English series
  
  a) The Complete Guide to ACT English, 3rd Edition The Complete Guide to ACT English, 3rd Edition
  b) The Complete Guide to ACT Reading, 2nd Edition The Complete Guide to ACT Reading, 2nd Edition
  and her free SAT/ACT English punctuation rules
  
  4) College Panda ACT English and Writing (Essay) books
  
  a) ACT English Advanced Guide and Workbook The College Panda's ACT English Advanced Guide and Workbook
  b) ACT Essay The Battle-tested Guide for ACT Writing The College Panda's ACT Essay The Battle-tested Guide for ACT Writing
  
  5) Mighty Oak Guide to Mastering the 2016 Essay For the new (2016-) 36-point ACT Essay. Some of the advice is a tad outdated (the essay is back to being out of 12 points, for example, and the essay prompts have changed very slightly), but it’s still quite helpful Mighty Oak Guide to Mastering the 2016 ACT Essay For the new (2016-) 36-point ACT essayMighty Oak Guide to Mastering the 2016 ACT Essay For the new (2016-) 36-point ACT essay
  
  6) Ultimate Guide to the Math ACT by Richard F Corn
  
  7) Quantum ACT Prep free videos (Math only)
  
  8) For the Love of ACT Science by Michael Cerro
  
  9) Understanding the ACT Scientific Reasoning by Jerusha Richardson. Not as acclaimed (or as overrated) as FTLOAS but almost as good.
  
  10) UWorld (free with code) adaptive online learning program.
  
  11) Albert.io adaptive online learning program. This website is brand-new, but I’ve heard great things about the content with regard to the AP exams. If UWorld isn't enough, then it’s probably worth a shot for $39 for 10 months access, as opposed to Magoosh ($79 for just one month access).
  
  12) The ACT Prep Black Book. This one is definitely not perfect. The author dispenses some advice that I don’t agree with, but it’s still helpful if you prefer to have detailed, written explanations of your ACT questions. Lots and lots of pages of strategy advice…not for the faint of heart.
  
  13) ACT Academy (free) adaptive online learning program. This site is official and free, but full of silly videos and corporate-sponsored filler, and needs a lot of improvement. It’s a far cry from the quality of Khan Academy, after which it’s likely modeled, but at least it does include plenty of real ACT questions.
  
  Honorable Mention Ivy Global ACT Guide (full disclosure I've used Ivy Global's SAT books extensively, and am a big fan of their detailed and thorough books with lots of practice, but haven't had time to try out IG's ACT book yet).
  
  Unless otherwise noted above, the materials are paid materials. In some cases (Quantum ACT Prep, for example), there are free videos as well as paid videos.
  
  I have ranked the videos lower than the books because I prefer learning from books and adaptive online learning programs to static videos. In general, I would caution against a video-heavy learning approach, which is tempting due to its ease/convenience, but often leads to low retention as a result of passive learning.
  
  For more information, you can also check out my detailed review of the previous edition of the book The Official ACT Prep Guide, 2018 Official Practice Tests + 400 Bonus Questions Online
  
  ...or google "ACT Action Plan - McElroy Tutoring" for my full list of ACT Prep recommendations.
  
  Questions, comments, suggestions? Let me know.
  
  Best of luck with your ACT prep!
  
  -Brian
• The best book you can get for ACT prep. Written by the test makers, it is a must have to improve your score. I have be tutoring for the ACT for 15 years, this is the only book I will spend my money on.
• Honestly, I didn't use this myself. I bought it for my daughter and she told me to rate it a 5. She took the ACT and scored a 32, so we're very pleased. She did study hard for the test. But this book was money well spent.
• Absolutely awesome. Used in conjunction with the ACT Prep Black Book, my daughter's ACT score went from 23 to 29, scoring her a Platinum Presidential Scholarship at her university.
• The current 1-2 star reviews are being a bit unfair. They are complaining about the version. To be honest, I don't know why you would want tests in the kindle version anyway, you want to take the tests on paper as you would in the test room. This book is the same as the previous edition, but they added a completely new test. I am a self-employed full-time test prep tutor and certified teacher running up to ten years of experience. The CONTENT of the book is what I'm reviewing, and I love practice tests. The new practice test is refreshing, they are also keeping the price point the same as previously, thus increasing the overall value of the book.
• The book itself is great, offers the practice tests and explanation of answers which has been helpful for my daughter. I purchased this book NEW and when she got to one of the practice tests, there was writing on it, strategies written, and part of the test had answers chosen. So this was NOT a new book. I’m am passed the window to return it and the ACT is Saturday so that isn’t even practical. I never thought to thumb through the entire book to ensure the tests were not written on. Disappointed in for selling a USED product as NEW.