<p>Well, I already have the Red book.
I'll be taking the three tests again probably in late November; I'm set for the December test date.</p>
<p>After the PSAT on October 14th, I'll be studying my butt off for the ACT. These are the items that I'm considering:</p>
<p>1296 ACT Practice questions.
Increase your ACT score in 3 minutes a day: ACT Reading.
Barron's ACT (Barron's How to Prepare for the Act American College Testing Program Assessment.
Barron's ACT 36: Aiming for the perfect score.</p>
<p>I'm leaning towards 1 and 2... I heard Barron's doesn't really resemble the actual ACT test? I've heard it's harder, but I don't see why that'd be a bad thing. However, I don't really study for the ACT by reading the tips and stuff; that never seems to help me. I just need to take a bunch of practice tests (I think). I've got the English and Math down, it's just the reading and science part that kills me. I need to read faster or something. :p</p>
<p>Also, I'll be borrowing the McGraw Hill's 10 Practice tests from a friend.
Is that one good?</p>
<p>I’m actually in the same position as you. I’m taking the PSAT in Oct & the ACT in Dec. The only difference between us is that I’ve already started prepping for the ACT and have no intention of prepping for the PSAT. </p>
<p>I’m pretty sure a perfect score (which is what I’m aiming for) on the ACT > Mediocre/high score on the PSAT</p>
<p>I’ve never used Barrons before since everyone says it’s an overkill and I don’t view being an overkill as necessarily a good thing.</p>
<p>I hear that PR 1296 is good so I’m planning on getting that soon. The odds of me qualifying for NMS is very slim to none and if I don’t become at least a semi-finalist then it’s wasted effort. Getting commended is an equal waste of time.</p>
<p>Hmm okay.
I think I’ll just get the PR 1296… because I mainly get prep books for the practice tests. Don’t really get much from the tips and stuff.</p>
<p>1296 questions. I’ve tried everything in your list and this by far beats them all. You have so many accurate practice tests, that by the time your taking the actual test, it dosen’t even seem like a big deal anymore. As for the results, I’m waiting till 12:00 tonight to see how much they helped me.
McGraw Hill is too easy.</p>
<p>First read Barrons because they have the hardest problems and the best methods. If you think you can score a 30 or higher get Barron’s 36 too. After you read Barron’s get 1296 questions by Princeton Review for practice.</p>
<p>Increase ACT score by three minutes= FAIL
^^ It’s only for students who don’t want to max out their studying to their full potential</p>
<p>Hmm yeah.
I just read some reviews about it. And took a “peak inside”.
It really isn’t that great.
I guess I’ll have to go to Barnes and Nobles or so and check out the book myself.</p>
<p>Hmm.
Does it matter which year of Barron’s 36?
Is Barron’s 36 better than the other one?</p>
<p>I’ll be using the McGraw Hill no matter what. But I’m not sure which Barron’s to get?
There are no tests in the Barron’s 36… so I think I’ll get the other…
And along with that, I’ll also use 1296 questions.</p>
<p>1296 is a definite yes. Especially if you feel more confident after taking a lot of practice tests. Plus the answers to the questions in the back are much more detailed than any other practice test I have seen.</p>
<p>The improve your reading in 3 minutes one is a total waste in my opinion… Reading is my worst and I was hoping it would help, but it just goes over like general reading strategies and really doesn’t seem to be geared to the ACT that much!</p>
<p>Oh okay, thanks!
Increase ACT in 3 minutes… is out. </p>
<p>Are you suggesting I should do 1296 Practice questions AFTER I take practice tests? Or what? </p>
<p>I think I’ll take it in December AND February.
The only con is that I’m kinda an anal retentive person… so I don’t really like being disrupted in the middle of period of studying to take the test, then go back to studying again. </p>
<p>Should I take it twice, or just study for 3-4 months and take it once?</p>
<p>Books really don’t help much at a certain point. At a level of a 30-31+ on the ACT, books will not do anything more then ±1 point.</p>
<p>A lot of people find that out after the real test. Taking practice tests can help slightly if you’re unfamiliar with the material\ need to improve timing.</p>
<p>Hm okay.
All I really do is take practice tests.
The material in the books are really just like, more practice questions. </p>
<p>I’ll be taking the tests from the Red book 2 weeks prior to the actual ACT. One on the preceding Sunday, the Saturday before that, and Sunday before that. Since they’re REAL ACT tests, I figure it’ll help me see what I can expect.
:o</p>