THE OFFICIAL ACT® PREP GUIDE 2022-2023 - INCLUDES ONLINE COURSE
The comprehensive guide to the 2022-2023 ACT test - including 7 genuine, full-length practice tests.
The Official ACT® Prep Guide 2022-2023 book includes six authentic ACT tests - all of which contain the optional writing test - so you get maximum practice before your official test date.
These tests are also available on the Wiley Efficient Learning platform and mobile app alongside a seventh bonus test via the PIN code inside, so you can study your official materials anytime, anywhere.
This guide provides clear explanations for every answer straight from the makers of the ACT to help you improve your understanding of each subject. You’ll also get:
- Practical tips and strategies for boosting your score on the English, math, reading, science, and (optional) writing tests
- 400+ online flashcards to ensure you’re mastering key concepts
- A customizable online test bank
- Wiley Efficient Learning’s personalized exam planner feature, where you can build the study schedule that meets your unique needs
- Expert advice on how to mentally and physically prepare for your test
Through the Official Guide, you’ll learn what to expect on test day, understand the types of questions you will encounter when taking the ACT, and adopt test-taking strategies that are right for you. By using this guide and its accompanying expansive resources, you can feel confident you’ll be ready to do your best!
*Online prep materials valid for one year from PIN code activation.
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
Using a Calculator 22
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 35
Chapter 3: Taking and Scoring Your First ACT Practice Test 37
Simulating Testing Conditions 37
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 184
Reviewing Your Overall Performance 185
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the English Test 186
Test-Taking Errors 186
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Mathematics Test 188
Math Subject Areas 188
Test-Taking Errors 188
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Reading Test 189
Types of Reading Passages 190
Reading Skills Tested 190
Test-Taking Errors 191
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Science Test 192
Science Subject Areas 192
Types of Science Passages 193
Test-Taking Errors 193
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Writing Test 194
Writing Skills Tested 194
Writing Strategy or Process Errors 196
Part Three: Improving Your Score 197
Chapter 5: Improving Your English Score 199
Content of the ACT English Test 199
Types of Questions on the ACT English Test 200
Strategies for Taking the ACT English Test 209
Chapter 6: Improving Your Math Score 225
Content of the ACT Mathematics Test 226
Preparing for Higher Math 226
Integrating Essential Skills 226
Modeling 227
Types of Questions on the ACT Mathematics Test 227
Basic Math Problems 227
Basic Math Problems in Settings 231
Very Challenging Problems 235
Question Sets 242
Strategies for Taking the ACT Mathematics Test 247
Pace Yourself 247
Answer All Questions 247
Answer All the Easy Questions First, Then Go Back to Answer the Hard Ones 248
Read Each Problem Carefully 248
Look for Information in the Answer Choices 248
Use Illustrations Wisely and Whenever You Can 249
Use Your Calculator Wisely 249
Think! 249
Show Your Work 250
Check Your Answers 250
Chapter 7: Improving Your Reading Score 251
Content of the ACT Reading Test 251
Key Ideas and Details 252
Craft and Structure 252
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas 252
Types of Questions on the ACT Reading Test 253
Representative ACT Reading Test Questions 253
Strategies for Taking the ACT Reading Test 262
Pace Yourself 262
Use the Time Allotted 262
Think of an Overall Strategy That Works for You 263
Keep the Passage as a Whole in Mind 263
Find a Strategy for Approaching Each Question 263
Reading Strategies Summary 264
Chapter 8: Improving Your Science Score 272
Content of the ACT Science Test 272
Format of the ACT Science Test 273
Data Representation Format 274
Discussion of Sample Passage I (Data Representation) 276
Research Summaries Format 279
Discussion of Sample Passage II (Research Summaries) 281
Confl icting Viewpoints Format 283
Discussion of Sample Passage III (Conflicting Viewpoints) 285
Strategies for Taking the ACT Science Test 288
Develop a Problem-Solving Method 288
Take Notes 289
Pace Yourself 289
Practice Interpreting Graphs, Tables, and Diagrams 289
Make the Most of the Information in Graphs 290
Make the Most of the Information in Tables 292
Develop an Understanding of Scientific Investigations 293
Carefully Analyze Conflicting Viewpoints 293
Chapter 9: Improving Your Score on the Optional Writing Test 294
Content of the ACT Writing Test 295
How Your Essay Will Be Scored 295
Sample Prompt and Essays 295
Sample ACT Writing Test Prompt 296
Planning Your Essay 298
Sample Essay Responses 299
Strategies for Taking the ACT Writing Test 323
Prewrite 323
Write 323
Review Your Essay 324
Practice 324
Part Four: Taking Additional Practice Tests 327
Chapter 10: Taking Additional Practice Tests 329
Practice Test 2 335
Explanatory Answers 395
Practice Test 3 473
Explanatory Answers 531
Practice Test 4 603
Explanatory Answers 661
Practice Test 5 735
Explanatory Answers 793
Practice Test 6 883
Explanatory Answers 941
Chapter 11: Scoring the Additional Practice Tests 1007
Scoring Your Practice Tests 1008
Scoring Practice Test 2 1009
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 1009
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 2 Essay 1015
Scoring Practice Test 3 1017
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 1017
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 3 Essay 1023
Scoring Practice Test 4 1025
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 1025
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 1039
Scoring Practice Test 6 1041
Scoring Your Multiple-Choice Practice Tests 1041
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 6 Essay 1047
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
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 1093
Chapter 13: Registering, Planning, and Packing for Test Day 1095
National Testing Program Versus State and District Testing 1096
Registering for the ACT 1096
Selecting a National Testing Date and Location 1096
Selecting a Test Option 1098
Registering 1098
Registering under Special Circumstances 1099
Planning and Packing for Test Day 1099
Getting to the Test Center 1099
Dressing for Test Day 1100
Packing for Test Day: What to Bring 1100
Obtaining Additional Test Details 1101
At the Test Center 1101
Checking In 1101
Following the Rules 1102
Communicating with the Testing Staff 1103
Maintaining Your Composure and Energy 1104
Voiding Your Answer Documents on Test Day 1105
Testing More Than Once 1105
