The only guide from the makers of the ACT exam, packed with 5 genuine, full-length practice tests and 400 additional questions online
This new edition includes:
- A NEW never-before-seen, full-length practice test with optional writing test (215 questions)
- 400 online questions that can be filtered and organized into custom practice sets
- Updated writing prompts and directions
- Real ACT test forms used in previous years
The Official ACT Prep Guide 2019-2020 is the only guide from the makers of the exam and includes actual ACT test forms taken from past ACT exams. This updated edition includes 5 actual ACT tests (all with optional writing test) to help you practice at your own pace and discover areas where you may need more work. The Official ACT Prep Guide 2019-2020 provides detailed explanations for every answer and practical tips on how to boost your score on the English, math, reading, science, and optional writing tests.
You’ll also get access to special online bonus content developed with the test taking experience in mind:
- Practice with 400 additional test questions that can be organized, filtered, and tracked for performance
- Take a closer look at test day, learn what to expect, and get familiar with the test-taking strategies that are right for you
Table of Contents
Preface xi
How This Book Is Arranged xii
Before You Begin xii
Part One: Getting Acquainted with the ACT Test 1
Chapter 1: About the ACT 3
Description of the ACT 4
English Test 4
Mathematics Test 6
Reading Test 14
Science Test 17
Writing Test (Optional) 19
The Fifth Test 21
ACT Test Formats: Paper and Online 21
Using a Calculator 21
Taking the Test 22
Summary 23
Chapter 2: Preparation, Skills, and Strategies 25
Mental Preparation 26
Identify Strengths and Address Areas of Improvement 26
Develop a Positive Mental Attitude 27
Keep the Test in Perspective 27
General Test-Taking Strategies and Skills 27
Remain Calm 27
Pace Yourself 28
Know the Directions Ahead of Time 29
Read Carefully and Thoroughly 29
Choose Strategies for Answering Easier and More Difficult Questions 30
Use Logic on More Difficult Questions 30
Choose a Strategy for Guessing on Multiple-Choice Questions 30
Choose a Strategy for Changing Answers 31
Write Notes in Your Test Booklet 31
Mark Your Answers Carefully 31
Plan to Check Your Answers 32
Learn Strategies for Specific Tests 32
Summary 32
Part Two: Taking and Evaluating Your First Practice Test 33
Chapter 3: Taking and Scoring Your First ACT Practice Test 35
Simulating Testing Conditions 35
Practice Test 1 41
Scoring Your Practice Test 101
Scoring Your Multiple-Choice Practice Tests 102
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test Essay 108
Reviewing Explanatory Answers 113
Chapter 4: Identifying Areas for Improvement 188
Reviewing Your Overall Performance 189
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the English Test 189
Test-Taking Errors 190
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Mathematics Test 192
Math Subject Areas 192
Test-Taking Errors 192
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Reading Test 193
Types of Reading Passages 194
Reading Skills Tested 194
Test-Taking Errors 195
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Science Test 196
Science Subject Areas 196
Types of Science Questions 197
Test-Taking Errors 197
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Writing Test 198
Writing Skills Tested 198
Writing Strategy or Process Errors 199
Part Three: Improving Your Score 201
Chapter 5: Improving Your English Score 203
Content of the ACT English Test 203
Types of Questions on the ACT English Test 204
Strategies for Taking the ACT English Test 213
Chapter 6: Improving Your Math Score 229
Content of the ACT Mathematics Test 230
Preparing for Higher Math 230
Integrating Essential Skills 230
Modeling 231
Types of Questions on the ACT Mathematics Test 231
Basic Math Problems 231
Basic Math Problems in Settings 235
Very Challenging Problems 239
Question Sets 246
Strategies for Taking the ACT Mathematics Test 251
Pace Yourself 251
Answer All Questions 251
Answer All the Easy Questions First, Then Go Back to Answer the Hard Ones 252
Read Each Problem Carefully 252
Look for Information in the Answer Choices 252
Use Illustrations Wisely and Whenever You Can 253
Use Your Calculator Wisely 253
Think! 253
Show Your Work 254
Check Your Answers 254
Chapter 7: Improving Your Reading Score 255
Content of the ACT Reading Test 255
Key Ideas and Details 256
Craft and Structure 256
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas 256
Types of Questions on the ACT Reading Test 256
Representative ACT Reading Test Questions 257
Strategies for Taking the ACT Reading Test 267
Pace Yourself 267
Use the Time Allotted 267
Think of an Overall Strategy That Works for You 268
Keep the Passage as a Whole in Mind 268
Find a Strategy for Approaching Each Question 268
Reading Strategies Summary 269
Chapter 8: Improving Your Science Score 277
Content of the ACT Science Test 277
Format of the ACT Science Test 278
Data Representation Format 279
Discussion of Sample Passage I (Data Representation) 281
Research Summaries Format 284
Discussion of Sample Passage II (Research Summaries) 286
Conflicting Viewpoints Format 288
Discussion of Sample Passage III (Conflicting Viewpoints) 290
Strategies for Taking the ACT Science Test 293
Develop a Problem-Solving Method 293
Take Notes 294
Pace Yourself 294
Practice Interpreting Graphs, Tables, and Diagrams 294
Make the Most of the Information in Graphs 295
Make the Most of the Information in Tables 297
Develop an Understanding of Scientific Investigations 298
Carefully Analyze Conflicting Viewpoints 298
Chapter 9: Improving Your Score on the Optional Writing Test 299
Content of the ACT Writing Test 300
How Your Essay Will Be Scored 300
Sample Prompt and Essays 300
Sample ACT Writing Test Prompt 301
Sample Essay Responses 303
Strategies for Taking the ACT Writing Test 327
Prewrite 327
Write 327
Review Your Essay 328
Practice 328
Part Four: Taking Additional Practice Tests 329
Chapter 10: Taking Additional Practice Tests 331
Practice Test 2 337
Explanatory Answers 397
Practice Test 3 477
Explanatory Answers 537
Practice Test 4 625
Explanatory Answers 683
Practice Test 5 757
Explanatory Answers 815
Chapter 11: Scoring the Additional Practice Tests 886
Scoring Your Practice Tests 887
Scoring Practice Test 2 888
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 888
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 2 Essay 894
Scoring Practice Test 3 897
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 897
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 3 Essay 902
Scoring Practice Test 4 904
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 904
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 4 Essay 909
Scoring Practice Test 5 911
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 911
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 5 Essay 916
Chapter 12: Interpreting Your ACT Test Scores and Ranks 918
Understanding Your ACT Test Results 920
How ACT Scores Your Multiple-Choice Tests 920
How ACT Scores Your Writing Test 920
Recognizing That Test Scores Are Estimates of Educational Achievement 920
Using Ranks to Interpret Your Scores 921
Comparing Your Test Scores to Each Other 921
Comparing Your Scores and Ranks to Your High School Grades 921
Comparing Your Scores to Those of Enrolled First-Year College Students 921
Using ACT College and Career Readiness Standards to Help You Understand Your ACT Scores 922
Planning Your Education and Career 923
Seeking Additional Information and Guidance 923
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards - English 924
Production of Writing 924
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards - Mathematics 931
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards - Reading 940
Text Complexity Rubric - Reading 947
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards - Science 954
Part Five: Moving Forward to Test Day 959
Chapter 13: Registering, Planning, and Packing for Test Day 961
National Testing Program versus State and District Testing 962
Registering for the ACT 962
Selecting a National Testing Date and Location 962
Selecting a Test Option 964
Registering 964
Registering Under Special Circumstances 965
Planning and Packing for Test Day 965
Getting to the Test Center 965
Dressing for Test Day 966
Packing for Test Day: What to Bring 966
Obtaining Additional Test Details 967
At the Test Center 967
Checking In 967
Following the Rules 968
Communicating with the Testing Staff 969
Maintaining Your Composure and Energy 970
Voiding Your Answer Documents on Test Day 970
Testing More Than Once 971
