<p>Hi, everyone. I have a prep question I'm hoping someone can help me with. I'm not sure if we can put links here so I will just throw out the product names. Right now I am scoring a 22 composite. Honestly, I really need private tutoring or something but that is way too $$. I already have the Real ACT Prep Guide and I think that it's good for the tests, but doesn't have any good strategies in it. I feel much better using real tests, since I've heard that the Barrons, Kaplan, PR, etc tests aren't like the real thing.</p>
<p>I've been searching on Amazon and found two products that work with the official ACTs but have almost no reviews. I'm wondering if anyone here has used them. Again, I'm in a situation where I really need to save $ (my dad lost his job) so I don't want to spend $ on something that won't work. </p>
<p>The first product is software called Boost Your Score: The Unofficial Guide to the Real ACT. It's on Amazon and it says it analyzes how you do on the real ACT tests in the Real ACT Guide and then helps you fix the skills that are weak. </p>
<p>The second product is called Dissecting the ACT. It's a book written by a perfect scorer (a student) and it also analyzes an official test and gives strategies. </p>
<p>Anybody? Or any other cheap suggestions? Again, I would prefer something that involves real ACTs but I am open to anything. I am a senior but I will be going abroad for a year so I am actually applying to college next year--not this year--so I have some time.</p>
<p>I’m generally skeptical about ACT prep guides. As you stated, the REal ACT Prep Guide is very good for the tests, but is lacking in strategies. Though, I’ve never understood this idea of strategies. Most people tend to figure out the best strategies on their own without other guides. I can’t say I’ve followed even one strategy from a test prep book. I have my own style.</p>
<p>I used:
The Real ACT Prep Guide
Princeton Review ACT
Barrons ACT (sort of used)
Kaplans Procrastinating ACT (didn’t get all the way through)</p>
<p>I found these books only helpful for the practice tests. The more you practice, the faster you get. Honestly, many of the test prep books say they model after the ACT, but many do a poor job. I noticed that Barron’s (at least in the English section), asked questions that you would never see on an actual ACT. Princeton Review was probably one of the closest. I say to just keep taking practice tests and try to improve. That is the best method. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Thanks, Salve. I will look at Princeton Review since you say it is closest.</p>
<p>I did end up buying the Boost Your Score software today so I will see how it goes. Weird that it has so few amazon reviews, but maybe it is new? I like that it is based only on official tests, so I won’t have to worry about how accurate the tests are. It works with 4 real ACTs–do you think I need to take more than that? If so, I will head to the Princeton book.</p>
<p>Well, by the time I took my third ACT, I had probably taken about 14 practice tests and the 2 real tests (my first and second). I don’t know if you need to be that excessive, but I would definitely work with the software. You should also just go to the local library and see what books they have for the ACT. Go through one a week and you will have enough practice. Good Luck!</p>