So there is obviously the current “The Real ACT, 3rd edition,” but on Amazon a new one is listed to be released on the 1/19/16. Is it the same as the old one or should I just opt for this one?
First, comparing the prior editions:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/act-preparation/429698-difference-between-1st-and-2nd-aedition-of-the-real-act-prep-guide.htm
http://www.picktextbook.com/education/the-real-act-prep-guide.shtml
ACT seems a tad stingy with publishing the tests, ain’t it? It does not even archive QOTDs on its website.
The “new” Real ACT, which is about to be released, still shows “3rd edition” on the cover:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/111923641X/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1452887873&sr=8-3&pi=SL75_QL70&keywords=The+Real+ACT.
Another red flag: it shows same old 936 pages under Features & details → About this item.
So - what’s new? The BONUS!!
Spoiler alert:
“In addition, the book includes free access to bonus online content that will help you prepare your college applications, choose the school that’s best for you, get your college career off to a strong start, ensure you graduate in four years, and more.”
Gimme a break!
With the recent changes to the ACT, one could logically assume that the writing chapter would change, which I regrettably did; it seems, I thought too highly of the ACT - if we are to believe the first amazon reviewer of that book. I do. Promise: I’ll eat my hat (well cooked, spiced, salted, and chopped) if we are both proven wrong.
With all the flack the CB has been getting - and deservedly so - they, at least, have published the whole bunch of tests over the years, some of them admittedly not really “real”, but still authentic. (Exception - Subject Tests. They are ancient! And only one for most subjects?!)
The ACT, the second college entrance testing monopoly out of the only two, does as it pleases, just like the CB, only much more miserly, and that does not serve in the least the masses who are forking out millions and millions of $$ to the company. Shame on you, ACT.
End of rant
Last edit - fixed a couple of typos
ETA.
To be fair, there is one redeeming fact.
The ACT revamped its free online content and, in accordance with the online practice test, the “Preparing for the ACT” booklet.
On the other hand, would they dare not to?
[size=2]corrected the booklet’s title.[/size=2]
Time for penance: I am putting my hat in a slow cooker.
All it took was the OP’s (@polyglotCode) phone call to ACT to find our that the writing (essay) chapter was indeed revised. Thanks a lot, pal, for PMing me with the great news! >¡<
And come to think of it, one my favorite albums is “Cooler Heads Prevail”…
Edit: The caller to ACT identified with his permission.
Hey, I have a mitigating factor!
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/19173020#Comment_19173020
So are you saying that the practice tests are the same and only the writing/essay part is updated?
@bctnln1059 That’s what the people at ACT said, but people who bought it are saying it is no different.
@bctnln1059 @polyglotCode
Oh glorious moment of truth! Am I
I. Vindicated
II. Exonerated
III. Redeemed?
The correct answer is I, II, and III.
The ACT was lying to @polyglotCode, and I and fellow amazon reviewer are right -
To be honest, I’d rather be wrong and eat my hat as promised (it is half-cooked anyway already) and see that something has been updated in the book, at least the essay writing part - especially in light of the debacle with the essays’ grading:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/1846576-act-writing-scorers-are-making-major-errors-p1.html.
Well, the rumor goes that the “true” new edition will hit the stores in the summer. That does give us a ray of hope, doesn’t it?
Edited for emphasis
Unfortunately, it’s the exact same book, same Edition 3, same old essays, same old tests, but with a different cover.
Read the negative reviews (about 90% of all at the present moment) on http://www.amazon.com/Real-Guide-Bonus-Online-Content/dp/111923641X/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?ie=UTF8&ref_=aw_cr_t_books: some of them include bits of useful information.
It’s truly amazing that the ACT is going to get away with the scam; it’s just the new publisher that will probably suffer most of the losses on this print. They should’ve known better though.