The Official ACT Prep Guide 2016-17 Review: Finally, an updated edition that reflects the new ACT.

Test Preparation
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actprep 34, I will shake your electronic hand and we meet in the middle. Have a great week!

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:-*

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Update: Due to popular complaint, the ACT is going back to the old 12-point essay scoring system on the Writing section: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act-educator/about-the-act/act-plus-writing.html

Some of the wording of the assignment has changed as well (see the end of this post)–you are no longer required to include all 3 perspectives provided. The essay prompts themselves will still be in the same format.

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@ivysource, good observation!

I thought your post was about to rehash information that was already mentioned by many others.

But you found a little, but seriously significant, change: “one or more other perspectives”.

That makes it easier for students to score well because now if they “forget” to analyze one of the perspectives, they can still accomplish the purpose of the Essay.

Good catch, Ivy!

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Ivy, a big Gold Star and a Twin-stick popsicle (you pick the flavor) for catching this!!!
I’m starting an ACT Class with students this weekend, and even though I spend almost zero time on the essay, I’ll at least have the latest info. We have been updating our materials in every spare moment over the past week, and I’ll add your info to the revisions.

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Thank goodness. I thought addressing all three perspectives and providing your own was ridiculous. Much better way of doing it now.

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@actprep34 So we’re closing in on the September ACT. Son has pretty much exhausted all available “official” tests and sections. He wants to take a couple of full length timed tests under test conditions. All we have is the Barron’s book of 6 ACT tests. Do you think the Barron’s tests are close to the real thing? Any suggestions? I’d hate to buy more material.

Thanks.

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@STEM2017 There are around 40 real ACT tests floating around online, but we’re not allowed to mention their locations on this forum due to copyright concerns. If you search hard enough, then you can find them. Also, private ACT tutors like me often have our own stash of official ACT exams on file.