The best ACT prep books?

<p>I'm currently using the Princeton review's cracking the ACT 2009 and I'm wondering if it makes a difference if it's old? Would it be better to get the 2013 version? I honestly feel like I'm gonna need A LOT of help. For example, i think i should get some pre-algebra books from the library because nothing seems to stick and i have to be very thorough. Last year i had like 3 prep books and reviewed everything and i STILL didn't get the score i wanted. Perhaps i could have studied too much?</p>

<p>Anyway, am i good with just the one book i have or should i get more?</p>

<p>134 views and not a single person can give me a recommendation? wow.</p>

<p>I am going to order Cracking the ACT 2013. I waited until now to order the newest edition because Amazon said it wasn’t available until January. I don’t think it makes a difference though. Until now, I have been using Barron’s ACT 36 (2009 edition) and Kaplan’s (2010) – both leftovers from my older brother and his girlfriend. The test hasn’t changed, so it shouldn’t matter unless they corrected some of their mistakes.<br>
Have you used the Red Book. I have heard that the older editions only have 3 practice tests and the newer one has 5.<br>
I have not taken the ACT yet, I am prepping to take it for the first time in April. However, I think from what I have read on the forums that you need to prep smarter and not harder because it definitely seems like you are putting in the work. I would suggest that you really analyze where your mistakes are coming from. For example, in an untimed environment are your scores better? Then maybe you need to really work on time management and thinking more clearly under pressure. I am not saying that this is your problem, that is just an example.<br>
Oh, also, if your scores seem to be lagging in the math section, I have heard that the Gruber’s math review is really good. I have not personally used it yet, but I did read that somewhere, so it is on my list to buy when I get some money.<br>
Hope that is helpful and good luck! When are you taking the ACT again?</p>

<p>I haven’t tried the red book yet but i was planning to. You’re right, i really need to pinpoint my weak spots but i thought i already covered everything. In un-timed environments I’ve done extremely well, school interims that were modeled after the ACT for example. But when i take the real thing I’m always disappointed. Hopefully I’ll take the ACT in April. I really feel that i need ample time to cover subjects like geometry, pre-algebra, etc. Right now I’m using the Barron’s book called ‘‘painless geometry’’ and i really hope all the studying sticks this time.</p>

<p>It sounds like we are shooting for the same date. I will keep you updated if I find something that I really like. How many times have you taken the ACT before? Time is an issue for me big time. If I have time to figure something out, I usually do, but when I am rushed, I go completely blank. The reading section is super hard for me because I can read the passage, but when I am rushing, it is like I can’t remember what I just read.</p>

<p>I would use the red book because they are actual ACT tests. However when practicing science and math I would use a barrons book, because when I took the ACTs in september and december the problems in the science and math section were much harder that than problems in the red book. Good luck!</p>

<p>I’ve taken it twice, but to be fair I’ve never even gotten legit prep for it. I don’t even think i took a practice test in a classroom. Time is a factor i guess but honestly I’ll just take my time if i know I’m prepared. I took ‘‘ACT style’’ tests in my English classes and scored 98%+ on both reading/English easily. Then when i took the ACT i thought i was prepared, but the scores didn’t reflect my potential at all. That’s a mystery to me, i probably didn’t pace myself like i had on those untimed interims. Even on the science test in chemistry i scored higher than everyone else and my teacher told me if it were the real science ACT i would have gotten a 30. I think it’s a pacing problem because something isn’t adding up.</p>

<p>I took it and received a 29 with no preparation at all. I read the whole Princeton Review ('08 edition as it was my brother’s) and then bought the Real ACT test book with 5 tests and took 4 tests every weekend before the test. I raised my score to a 32 so I just really recommend practice. I really emphasize using the Real ACT test book, it helps TONS taking the tests. Because really practice is all you need for the ACT.</p>

<p>Did you feel that the practice questions were easier than the real thing, or was it pretty accurate?</p>

<p>I did all 5 practice tests and never got below 32 (averaged between 33-34) but i got a 29 on the real thing. I thought the actual test was WAY harder…</p>

<p>Also it didnt help that i slept 4 hours the night before. For April’s test i’m taking a sleeping pill at 10 lol</p>

<p>See that’s very interesting, why do you think that is? It was probably nerves or something.</p>

<p>I think I’m pretty much screwed if i don’t pinpoint what makes me perform poorly.</p>

<p>I don’t know what it was. I just remember it was very hard for me to sleep (most likely nerves). </p>

<p>I’ve purchased Barron’s 36 and PR 1296 to see if the techniques from Barron’s and the questions from PR will help me more. I don’t want to redo the practice tests from the official ACT book.</p>

<p>If you don’t think you should do it…don’t. I heard certain practice tests can actually HURT your score.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, i can personally attest to this.</p>

<p>Kaplan’s book worked well for me. I looked through the test tips and did some of the practice questions, and got a 33 on my first try.</p>

<p>That’s very impressive. But you have to admit that’s a pretty far reach for mortal students to achieve, lol.</p>

<p>I think the key is to do tons of practice tests, and sign up for online tests thru ACT.
You need to be able to zip thru those questions and understand the phrasing immediately, thats requires lots of practice tests.</p>