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ACT Preparation Books

For quick reference, here are links to related books we have reviewed:

A Note on ACT Books

We strongly advise all prospective college applicants who will be taking the ACT to purchase at least 2 books on ACT preparation.

First, we recommend the official guide from ACT, Inc., the organization that administers the test. There is a significant difference between the official questions you will be asked on the exam and the practice questions contained in any other test prep book. The ACT, Inc. guide uses questions that actually appeared on previous versions of the test to show readers what to expect on test day. There is no better way to familiarize yourself with the kind of questions you will see, and the way they be presented, than to buy and study this book.

Second, we recommend studying at least one "unofficial" guide to the ACT. There is indeed a way to study for this test and to materially improve your score. The better unofficial guides contain many time-proven test-taking strategies as well as excellent explanations for the reasoning behind the choice of correct answers to the practice problems. You will greatly increase your chances of receiving a higher test score if you go to the test armed with knowledge of ACT test-taking strategies and familiarity with actual questions from previous exams.

The Real ACT Prep Guide (CD) 3rd Edition by ACT Staff

Buy this book from Amazon.com

As the title not-so-humbly states, this is the only official prep guide available from the ACT test writers. This book replaces a previous ACT, Inc. guide, "Get Into the ACT." It has been updated to prepare test-takers for the new ACT test format that debuted on February 12, 2005. We strongly advise all prospective college applicants planning to sit for the ACT to purchase this book. This is, by far, the most informative book available on the new ACT test. Included in this book are 3 real ACT exams.

Cracking the ACT, 2012 Edition by Princeton Review

Buy this book from Amazon.com

This book comes from a series of test prep guides that has been fairly popular with our clients. It is certainly our hope that this new book continues this trend. The CD-ROM and 640 pages are fairly comprehensive.

The Full Potential ACT Audio Program by Bara Sapir*

actaudio Buy this 5 CD set from TestPrepNY

The Full Potential program optimizes your test-taking potential by enhancing your mental retention, concentration, and relaxation.
*Mention Z-Code "AC" to receive free shipping*

McGraw-Hill's ACT with CD-ROM, 2012 Edition by Steven Dulan

Buy this book from Amazon.com

This guide includes two online diagnostic tests as well as four paper-based practice tests with 2 more online and an additional 2 more on the CD-ROM, an eight-week study plan and a cram plan if you don't have the benefit of a lot of preparation time.

The Very Best Coaching And Study Course For The ACT Assessment: with New Writing Test by Charles O. Brass et al.

Buy this book from Amazon.com

This 1,045 page book contains 5 full-length ACT practice tests, plus lots of pointers on studying strategies and practice tips. '1-A' type personalities will probably love this voluminous prep tool.

Movie Themed Books for Vocabulary Building

One of the newer innovations from the test prep industry has been combining many test takers' love for movies and movie trivia with vocabulary building. If you think this might make vocabulary building easier for you, we encourage you to look at the following books:

Defining Twilight by Brian Leaf

Buy this book from Amazon.com

This verbal prep book for the SAT and ACT bases vocabulary lessons on some of the more difficult words from the popular novel Twilight. Lists of words refer back to sentences in the novel, so readers can see the word in context. This would be a fun and painless way to learn some essential vocabulary for fans of the book. I wouldn't, however, use it as the only book to prepare for the verbal sections of these tests. Stephanie Meyer has a good command of the English language, but there's no guarantee she used every word you might need to learn.

Name That Movie! (Comedy and Action) by Brian Leaf

Buy this book from Amazon.com

If you are a fan of comedy and action movies, this book can help you boost your vocabulary skills while helping you recall famous scenes and lines. The author also ties actors' debuts in to the trivia as well.

Name That Movie! (Romantic Comedy and Drama) by Brian Leaf

Buy this book from Amazon.com

If you are a fan of romantic comedy and drama movies, this book can help you boost your vocabulary skills while helping you recall famous scenes and lines. The author also ties actors' debuts in to the trivia as well.

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