<p>Hi guys! So I am currently on my 9 grade summer and am taking the act on the 21 of September. Using the act real prep book I have gotten the following scores: 25 English, 23 math, 20 reading, and 22 Science. I was wondering what prep book would help me raise my score at least to a 26-28. Should I get the Barron's 36 or Princeton's cracking the act, or should I get any other book to improve.</p>
<p>Barron’s.</p>
<p>Will you be in 9th grade this September? I would recommend focusing on school right now. Most of the things tested on the ACT you will learn in school. I got a 33 partway through my junior year without study, just used what I knew from school, and a 35 this past June with a little bit of prep. You will have plenty of time later to increase your score.</p>
<p>No I will be in 10 grade this September. My dad really wants me to take the exam. To get into a 7 year or even lower program in pre dentistry I need to get at least a 26(24 or above in each section) and my current composite scores in practice exams is only around 23-24. Ughhh it’s soooo depressing! I try so hard but nothing…</p>
<p>You have 2 years to improve your score 2-3 points. That is a LOT of time for only a tiny amount of points. Study a bit and take the test to see how you fare, but your best score will probably come during 11th or 12th grade so make sure you leave practice material and tests to study with for then.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the advise! And what would be the best book for me to use to get my goal score</p>
<p>I said Barron’s earlier but I’ll retract that. Study from PR right now and get Barron’s 36 when you feel PR is no longer helping you. Barron’s typically over-prepares you so it’s a good book when your score is, say, a 30 and you really need a 32. Princeton Review is better for the range you’re in right now.</p>
<p>Ok thanks a lot! So i should get like cracking the act 2013. Also, I won’t be able to increase my scores with Barrons?</p>
<p>I would say Princeton Review first too, and then switch to Barrons. Barrons is an extremely difficult book. Do not worry youll achieve the score you want to achieve if you take honors and AP courses in your Junior and Senior year. Im going to be a junior and I kind of credit my success at these practice tests partly because of my accelerated courses, and partly because I study for hours. I take my first ACT in September too. My practice scores range from a 26 in science and a 29-34 in Math, English, and Reading.</p>
<p>I personally recommend staying far, far away from prep books until your junior year. </p>
<p>There’s no good reason to take the test at the beginning of 10th grade. You most likely haven’t completed algebra II, haven’t been exposed to rigorous science courses, haven’t had a lot of practice with English. There’s no reason to go prep books to learn the material on the ACT. Prep books are for reviewing and getting comfortable with the test format. </p>
<p>Put the books away until you are ready for the ACT - that means after you’ve completed Algebra II, a couple of lab science courses, and had at least a couple high school level English classes. That alone will get your scores up a LOT. </p>
<p>Trying to take the ACT at the beginning of your sophomore year isn’t the best idea, don’t waste all the good resources now when your score will naturally go up! Save them for junior year. Taking the ACT more than three times looks bad, save them for a period of time when you are most likely to succeed! You probably could get a 26-28 without studying if you just wait. You have plenty of time to worry about this later, focus on your classes now.</p>
<p>Hi thanks for the suggestion, but my Dad really wants me to take the act so i guess it’s not as worse as my sister who had to take it in 8th grade lol</p>