The comprehensive guide to the 2021-2022 ACT® test, with 6 genuine, full-length practice tests in print and online.
This 2021-2022 guide includes six actual ACT® tests - all of which contain the optional writing test - that you can use to practice at your own pace. To help you review test subjects and improve your understanding, this guide provides clear explanations for every answer. You’ll also get practical tips for boosting your score on the English, math, reading, and science tests, as well as the optional writing test. Additionally, you can access the six tests online through the access code provided in the guide. The code also provides access to 400 online flashcards to help you prepare for all sections in the ACT® examination.
The test’s creators filled this guide with expert advice on how to both mentally and physically prepare for the exam. It will also help you:
- Review the entire ACT® test content so you’ll know what to expect on test day
- Understand the procedures you’ll follow when you’re taking the ACT®
- Prepare for the types of questions you can expect to find on the test
- Adopt test-taking strategies that are right for you
The Official ACT® Prep Guide 2021-2022 is the best resource to prepare you for test day. By using this guide you can feel comfortable that you’re prepared to do your best!
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 Full ACT Test 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 23
Summary 24
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 99
Scoring Your Multiple-Choice Practice Tests 100
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test Essay 106
Reviewing Explanatory Answers 111
Chapter 4: Identifying Areas for Improvement 178
Reviewing Your Overall Performance 179
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the English Test 179
Test-Taking Errors 180
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Mathematics Test 182
Math Subject Areas 182
Test-Taking Errors 182
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Reading Test 183
Types of Reading Passages 184
Reading Skills Tested 184
Test-Taking Errors 185
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Science Test 186
Science Subject Areas 186
Types of Science Questions 187
Test-Taking Errors 187
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Writing Test 188
Writing Skills Tested 188
Writing Strategy or Process Errors 189
Part Three: Improving Your Score 191
Chapter 5: Improving Your English Score 193
Content of the ACT English Test 193
Types of Questions on the ACT English Test 194
Strategies for Taking the ACT English Test 203
Chapter 6: Improving Your Math Score 219
Content of the ACT Mathematics Test 220
Preparing for Higher Math 220
Integrating Essential Skills 220
Modeling 221
Types of Questions on the ACT Mathematics Test 221
Basic Math Problems 221
Basic Math Problems in Settings 225
Very Challenging Problems 229
Question Sets 236
Strategies for Taking the ACT Mathematics Test 241
Pace Yourself 241
Answer All Questions 241
Answer All the Easy Questions First, Then Go Back to
Answer the Hard Ones 242
Read Each Problem Carefully 242
Look for Information in the Answer Choices 242
Use Illustrations Wisely and Whenever You Can 243
Use Your Calculator Wisely 243
Think! 243
Show Your Work 244
Check Your Answers 244
Chapter 7: Improving Your Reading Score 245
Content of the ACT Reading Test 245
Key Ideas and Details 246
Craft and Structure 246
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas 246
Types of Questions on the ACT Reading Test 246
Representative ACT Reading Test Questions 247
Strategies for Taking the ACT Reading Test 257
Pace Yourself 257
Use the Time Allotted 257
Think of an Overall Strategy That Works for You 258
Keep the Passage as a Whole in Mind 258
Find a Strategy for Approaching Each Question 258
Reading Strategies Summary 259
Chapter 8: Improving Your Science Score 267
Content of the ACT Science Test 267
Format of the ACT Science Test 268
Data Representation Format 269
The ONLY Official Prep Guide from the Makers of the ACT
Discussion of Sample Passage I (Data Representation) 271
Research Summaries Format 274
Discussion of Sample Passage II (Research Summaries) 276
Conflicting Viewpoints Format 278
Discussion of Sample Passage III (Conflicting Viewpoints) 280
Strategies for Taking the ACT Science Test 283
Develop a Problem-Solving Method 283
Take Notes 284
Pace Yourself 284
Practice Interpreting Graphs, Tables, and Diagrams 284
Make the Most of the Information in Graphs 285
Make the Most of the Information in Tables 287
Develop an Understanding of Scientific Investigations 288
Carefully Analyze Conflicting Viewpoints 288
Chapter 9: Improving Your Score on the Optional Writing Test 289
Content of the ACT Writing Test 290
How Your Essay Will Be Scored 290
Sample Prompt and Essays 290
Sample ACT Writing Test Prompt 291
Sample Essay Responses 293
Strategies for Taking the ACT Writing Test 317
Prewrite 317
Write 317
Review Your Essay 318
Practice 318
Part Four: Taking Additional Practice Tests 319
Chapter 10: Taking Additional Practice Tests 321
Practice Test 2 327
Explanatory Answers 387
Practice Test 3 465
Explanatory Answers 525
Practice Test 4 603
Explanatory Answers 661
Practice Test 5 733
Explanatory Answers 791
Practice Test 6 865
Explanatory Answers 923
Chapter 11: Scoring the Additional Practice Tests 1008
Scoring Your Practice Tests 1009
Scoring Practice Test 2 1010
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 1010
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 2 Essay 1016
Scoring Practice Test 3 1019
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 1019
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 3 Essay 1024
Scoring Practice Test 4 1026
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 1026
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 4 Essay 1031
Scoring Practice Test 5 1033
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 1033
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 5 Essay 1038
Scoring Practice Test 6 1040
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 1040
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 6 Essay 1046
Chapter 12: Interpreting Your ACT Test Scores and Ranks 1049
Understanding Your ACT Test Results 1051
How ACT Scores Your Multiple-Choice Tests 1051
How ACT Scores Your Writing Test 1051
Recognizing That Test Scores Are Estimates of Educational Achievement 1051
Using Ranks to Interpret Your Scores 1052
Comparing Your Test Scores to Each Other 1052
Comparing Your Scores and Ranks to Your High School Grades 1052
Comparing Your Scores to Those of Enrolled First-Year College Students 1052
Using ACT College and Career Readiness Standards to Help You Understand Your ACT Scores 1053
Planning Your Education and Career 1054
Seeking Additional Information and Guidance 1054
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards - English 1055
Production of Writing 1055
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards - Mathematics 1062
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards - Reading 1071
Text Complexity Rubric - Reading 1078
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards - Science 1085
Part Five: Moving Forward to Test Day 1089
Chapter 13: Registering, Planning, and Packing for Test Day 1091
National Testing Program versus State and District Testing 1092
Registering for the ACT 1092
Selecting a National Testing Date and Location 1092
Selecting a Test Option 1094
Registering 1094
Registering Under Special Circumstances 1095
Planning and Packing for Test Day 1095
Getting to the Test Center 1095
Dressing for Test Day 1096
Packing for Test Day: What to Bring 1096
Obtaining Additional Test Details 1097
At the Test Center 1097
Checking In 1097
Following the Rules 1098
Communicating with the Testing Staff 1099
Maintaining Your Composure and Energy 1100
Voiding Your Answer Documents on Test Day 1100
Testing More Than Once 1101
