<p>i have been looking over the concepts in the red book and it doesnt really seem to be helping me all that much. it just seems like its helpful for the practice tests. what books are good to prepare me more for taking the act?</p>
<p>you are correct, as Princeton Review puts it “It is kind of hard to burgle your own house”.</p>
<p>Use Princeton Review for English no matter what your score is.</p>
<p>Use Kaplan if you get 25 or lower on math. If not, forget that book.</p>
<p>You really just have to practice with science and reading.</p>
<p>^^I agree with Egbert. I have heard Princeton Review is awesome for English (This will be the next book I am picking up at the library). Math concepts just have to be learned, there is no easy way of doing better (this is my best section, a 35-36 every time). Science and Reading are really a matter of knowing what works best for you. These strategies can all be found in almost any review book. Personally, reading is my biggest downfall (which is strange since I have always been in honors English and I got a 5 on AP Eng Lang). I am just constantly practicing reading passages.</p>
<p>“Math concepts just have to be learned, there is no easy way of doing better”</p>
<p>While I agree that most tests involve advanced topics not in prep books, there are some tests with harsh curves that are entirely covered by prep books. For the most part, you are right. I have been taking Precal myself and I have been learning so many key concepts that I should really knock the next ACT math test I take out of the water.</p>
<p>^^Egbert, Exactly! So many concepts are just learned in class. I am going into Calculus and am an extreme math person. I get 36s usually everytime I do a math section (if not, then a 35).</p>
<p>Yeah.</p>
<p>See, what’s absolutely great is the fact that I was getting 32-33 on practice tests before I even took precal, and now that I am almost done with the course ACT math is going to be a cinch.</p>
<p>Is it just me or is it impossible for one to get above a 30 on the Kaplan CD-ROM. I’m not joking, the science portion on the CD is almost impossible, it’s uber hard.</p>
<p>Taking a CD-ROM test, be it from Kaplan or any other test-prep company, IS NOT the same as taking the test on paper.</p>
<p>My son went through many test prep books for the ACT and ultimately scored a 36 the first time out. </p>
<p>The best one he found, and the first one he used, was: “The Real ACT Prep Guide.”</p>
<p>[The</a> Real ACT Prep Guide, Real Act Prep Guide Series, Staff of ACT, Inc., Book - Barnes & Noble](<a href=“http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Real-ACT-Prep-Guide/Staff-of-ACT-Inc/e/9780768926750/]The”>http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Real-ACT-Prep-Guide/Staff-of-ACT-Inc/e/9780768926750/)</p>
<p>He also used Spark Notes:</p>
<p>[SparkNotes</a> Guide to the ACT (SparkNotes Test Prep), SparkNotes Test Prep Series, SparkNotes Editors, Book - Barnes & Noble](<a href=“http://search.barnesandnoble.com/SparkNotes-Guide-to-the-ACT/SparkNotes-Editors/e/9781411402454/]SparkNotes”>http://search.barnesandnoble.com/SparkNotes-Guide-to-the-ACT/SparkNotes-Editors/e/9781411402454/)</p>
<p>[ACT</a> Math & Science Workbook (SparkNotes Test Prep), SparkNotes Test Prep Series, SparkNotes Editors, Book - Barnes & Noble](<a href=“http://search.barnesandnoble.com/ACT-Math-Science-Workbook/SparkNotes-Editors/e/9781411496767/]ACT”>http://search.barnesandnoble.com/ACT-Math-Science-Workbook/SparkNotes-Editors/e/9781411496767/)</p>
<p>[ACT</a> English & Reading Workbook (SparkNotes Test Prep), SparkNotes Test Prep Series, SparkNotes Editors, Book - Barnes & Noble](<a href=“http://search.barnesandnoble.com/ACT-English-Reading-Workbook/SparkNotes-Editors/e/9781411496750/]ACT”>http://search.barnesandnoble.com/ACT-English-Reading-Workbook/SparkNotes-Editors/e/9781411496750/)</p>
<p>And Barron’s:</p>
<p>[Barron’s</a> ACT 36, Anne Summers M.A., Book - Barnes & Noble](<a href=“http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Barrons-ACT-36/Anne-Summers-MA/e/9780764140228/]Barron’s”>http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Barrons-ACT-36/Anne-Summers-MA/e/9780764140228/)</p>
<p>And Princeton Review:</p>
<p>[Crash</a> Course for the ACT, College Test Prep Series, Princeton Review, Book - Barnes & Noble](<a href=“http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Crash-Course-for-the-Act/Princeton-Review/e/9780375765872/]Crash”>http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Crash-Course-for-the-Act/Princeton-Review/e/9780375765872/)</p>
<p>Yeah, science is harder when you are on the computer.</p>