Hello I recently took the ACT test in September of 2014 and received a 23 overall. I got a 23 on all subjects except Reading (my worst). I plan on reaching a 28 the next time I take the ACT (which will be this upcoming June) so I have been studying since I had knowledge of the score I got. I used Barron's ACT 2010 Edition I believe to help me through, but this year I got both Barron's ACT 36 and The Real ACT Prep Guide (Red Book). I have been going through each book and finished through the ACT 36 book in which my Math and English scored highly improved. Science is alright for me (on some tests it is good, where on some it isn't) and Reading is still just plain terrible. I am planning on getting another ACT book to help me through this year for the most success but am coming through many obstacles as some tests are too easy and et cetera. I have been reading through online only to find that the best way to improve my reading score is roughly to literally just read. I get that, but getting a book will help me more I believe. So my book choices are to either get a specific ACT guide for Reading, or to get another really great ACT guide for all overall so that I can be sure that I get the best score possible.
So to sum everything up, I need your help on what ACT book to get.Tell me which one you think I should get. List some of the best specifically for Reading, and list the third best overall for the four subjects (next to Barron's 36 and the Red book).
There are many amazing college students on this website so I would REALLY appreciate your guys' help on what I should do. I really appreciate the many things that the internet has given us. Thank you very much for taking your time to save mine.
But I’m a math teacher, and teach a number of SAT prep courses. When I was recovering from surgery a few years ago, the first of the series came out and I picked it up. I still think it’s one of the best resources on test strategies you can get for the price.
Santa brought my 16 year old son a copy of each book.
Reading was my worst score at first too (32). I bought Barron’s ACT 36 and went through most of it, but I didnt feel like it helped much. Then, I found 5 or 6 practice tests and took them (timing myself and such, of course) and then raised reading up to a 36.
I’m definitely a big fan of the taking practice tests option.
Good luck and remember to stay classy
Edit: I noticed you asked bjkmom about her scores, so maybe you’d ask me too. I’m not a math teacher - I’m a high school senior & I went from 33 to 35 over 3 tests, so not a huge change but definitely significant.
@julianstanley I felt the exact same about Reading after Barron’s ACT 36. Could you recommend any books and websites that give the most close-to-actual ACT Tests? I took 2 of the tests in the ACT Prep Guide (Red Book) and plan on saving the rest 3 for exam scenarios because they are the closest to actual ACT and I should preserve those for now (though I might take test 3 without being timed to see if I totally understand everything and then take the rest two in exam scenarios, but not sure if I should at the moment)
You’re welcome!
Hmm. http://www.powerscore.com/sat/help/content_practice_tests.cfm → here are 4 official tests 2006-2014, and between those and the 3 in the act prep guide, I think you’ll probably be set. Other than those, I just googled free act tests so I don’t have any suggestions.
