<p>Hello everybody on CC, this is my first post, but anyways...</p>
<p>I'm having trouble deciding which prep books to get. I'm going to be a junior in high school in August. For the past week I've just been browsing CC and other sites looking for 3 prep books to get. I don't want to get any more than 3.</p>
<p>I haven't taken the ACT yet, but I probably will this year sometime or maybe Spring of 2012. Which gives me a LOT of time to prepare, I mean, an hour or two a day is good.</p>
<p>Anyways, the only book I've actually decided to buy of the three is the "Red Book".
That's only for the practice tests though.</p>
<p>However, I need to catch up on the actual strategy and material.
I struggle at math, honestly. I'm bad at it and I'm a really slow test taker. Last year when I took the PLAN test, I ran out of time but still had like 10 questions for each section causing me to get a low score although I got most of the answers right for the questions I did answer. If that makes sense.</p>
<p>So if anyone could recommend two more good prep books (NOT McGrawhills or Kaplan please), that would be very helpful. I need a prep book with good tips and for the math section, really good explanations and steps that show how to solve a problem quickly and efficiently.</p>
<p>So overall, I need recommendations for two more books that covers content and strategy really well.</p>
<p>i’ll reply
i’m taking the test sept. 10th and i’ve been avidly reviewing…try getting the barron’s act with the princeton review; they’re what i’ve been using. The Barron’s is very comprehensive, especially in the math section (longest in the book…covers every possible TOPIC!) don’t freak on the tests though, they are certainly harder than the real deal.
Princeton review, on the other hand, gives a general review of what most frequently shows up, and their tests are a bit easier.
once you finish reviewing, i recommend you get ahold of the “red” book (aka real ACT) which has 3 real tests (duh XD) so you get a feel of them. One more is available on the act website
Hope this helps!</p>
<p>1296 ACT Practice Questions by Princeton Review is a really good one for tests. It’s a bit harder than the actual ACT test, but I really like it.</p>
<p>Oh, for the Barron’s do you mean the reg. Barron’s or Barron’s 36? After searching a lot through CC, I find it’s hated by most. But I’ll give it a shot. </p>
<p>And yes, I plan to get the 1296 PR book, I hear it’s very helpful.</p>
<p>The PR: Cracking the ACT and Red Book have just arrived. Do I have to get any more books? (I will eventually, but for just basic prep?).</p>
<p>Also, if anyone got a 34-36 composite score, could you tell me your study schedule? I plan to take the ACT in December and if it’s not a good score, than again.</p>
<p>Thank you, if possible, please let me know how you did and if you’re happy w/ your score, you should tell me your study plan or what you did to study.</p>
<p>What prep books are you using as of now if you are using any that is. Some people don’t prep and get a 36. lol</p>
<p>I’m also taking the actual test in september, although i took a practice ACT from their website in an environment simulating the actual test - so i woke up 7 am on a day off to take the entire test with time.</p>
<p>I scored a 33 comp. 35 in math and reading.</p>
<p>What i’ve noticed is that studying for the ACT is a lot like weight lifting in the sense that you have to train your body over the course of several weeks, using different levels of difficulty.</p>
<p>Here’s my process:
about 2 months prior to actual test: get used to problems/questions/timing - use PR act review book
When you finish PR, learn the advanced tricks/tips with Baron’s 36
about a month before the exam: PR’s 1286 - do as many problems as possible, review EVERY SINGLE ONE YOU DO RIGHT OR WRONG. Learn why you got them right so you can train your mind to look for patterns which will save u time on the ACT
Then about a week and a half before the test do the Red ACT book - one test every third day or so, and review on the off days. </p>
<p>the day before the test take off from school - do a physically demanding activity to stimulate blood flow for the next morning, eat well and get sleep. do a few practice problems to warm up and then go to sleep resting.</p>
<p>As far as study tips, i believe there are a few threads already made (i know because i posted on one earlier today haha) basically it all comes down to practice - always time yourself with less time than the test will give, and review which problems you got wrong, which you got right, and patterns in the problems (especially the math)</p>
<p>I have another question, I’ve been looking through the PR, do you want me to just read it Cover to Cover?</p>
<p>Also, I hear that a person should take a practice test before reviewing any material whatsoever to identify weaknesses. Do you recommend this at all?</p>
<p>Then lastly, when I get the 1296 questions, should I do them without time or should I do the questions under timed conditions?</p>
<p>Once again, thank you very much, I need all the advice I can get!</p>
<p>I have PR Cracking the ACT, 1296, and the Red Book. I’m also using all the free tests that were officially released online as sort of a benchmark. </p>
<p>I’ve been working on my timing a bit, but since I’m not that great at math, I’ve been focusing my time on studying the concepts covered on the test.</p>
<p>What I’m doing starting tomorrow is that I’m going to be taking a test every three days during the summer and on those off days, I’ll be studying what I got wrong and how I can improve. Once school starts, I’ll only be doing one a week until the week of the exam where I’ll do a couple throughout the week. </p>
<p>I see, I think I should try to do that after I review the PR book and all the concepts, I need to review a lot. Thanks for the tips and good luck on your studying and ACT!</p>
<p>Well I have all the books figured out now (Thanks to CC) and now all I need is a good study plan. I haven’t taken the ACT yet, but I want to get a 34+. But the thing is, I’m bad at math and not a fast test taker. Timed tests are my worst enemy except AP tests.</p>
<p>Do you think I should take a practice test from PR or the Red Book to see what areas I need to work on before any studying?</p>
