The comprehensive guide to the 2024-2025 ACT test - including 9 genuine, full-length practice tests.
The Official ACT® Prep Guide 2024-2025 book includes six authentic ACT tests - all of which contain the optional writing test - so you get maximum practice before your test date.
These full-length practice tests are also available on the Wiley Online Platform and mobile app alongside three additional bonus tests 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 - Nine total practice tests - all six in the book are also online with THREE digital bonus tests - 400+ online flashcards to ensure you’re mastering key concepts - A customizable online test bank - Expert advice on how to mentally and physically prepare for your test
This edition has been updated with a new practice test, new writing samples and prompts, so you can be sure your materials will set you up for success on your ACT 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.
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 188
Reviewing Your Overall Performance 189
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the English Test 190
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 Passages 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 200
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 257
Representative ACT Reading Test Questions 257
Strategies for Taking the ACT Reading Test 266
Pace Yourself 266
Use the Time Allotted 266
Think of an Overall Strategy That Works for You 267
Keep the Passage as a Whole in Mind 267
Find a Strategy for Approaching Each Question 267
Reading Strategies Summary 268
Chapter 8: Improving Your Science Score 276
Content of the ACT Science Test 276
Format of the ACT Science Test 277
Data Representation Format 278
Discussion of Sample Passage I (Data Representation) 280
Research Summaries Format 283
Discussion of Sample Passage II (Research Summaries) 285
Conflicting Viewpoints Format 287
Discussion of Sample Passage III (Conflicting Viewpoints) 289
Strategies for Taking the ACT Science Test 292
Develop a Problem-Solving Method 292
Take Notes 293
Pace Yourself 293
Practice Interpreting Graphs, Tables, and Diagrams 293
Make the Most of the Information in Graphs 294
Make the Most of the Information in Tables 296
Develop an Understanding of Scientific Investigations 297
Carefully Analyze Conflicting Viewpoints 297
Chapter 9: Improving Your Score on the Optional Writing Test 298
Content of the ACT Writing Test 299
How Your Essay Will Be Scored 299
Sample Prompt and Essays 299
Sample ACT Writing Test Prompt 300
Planning Your Essay 302
Sample Essay Responses 303
Strategies for Taking the ACT Writing Test 326
Prewrite 326
Write 326
Review Your Essay 327
Practice 327
Part Four: Taking Additional Practice Tests 329
Chapter 10: Taking Additional Practice Tests 331
Practice Test 2 337
Explanatory Answers 395
Practice Test 3 469
Explanatory Answers 527
Practice Test 4 617
Explanatory Answers 675
Practice Test 5 745
Explanatory Answers 803
Practice Test 6 877
Explanatory Answers 935
Chapter 11: Scoring the Additional Practice Tests 1005
Scoring Your Practice Tests 1006
Scoring Practice Test 2 1007
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 1007
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 2 Essay 1013
Scoring Practice Test 3 1015
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 1015
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 3 Essay 1021
Scoring Practice Test 4 1023
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 1023
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 4 Essay 1029
Scoring Practice Test 5 1031
Scoring Your Multiple-Choice Practice Tests 1031
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 5 Essay 1037
Scoring Practice Test 6 1039
Scoring Your Multiple-Choice Practice Tests 1039
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 6 Essay 1045
Chapter 12: Interpreting Your ACT Test Scores and Ranks 1047
Understanding Your ACT Test Results 1049
How ACT Scores Your Multiple-Choice Tests 1049
How ACT Scores Your Writing Test 1049
Recognizing That Test Scores Are Estimates of Educational Achievement 1049
Using Ranks to Interpret Your Scores 1050
Comparing Your Test Scores to Each Other 1050
Comparing Your Scores and Ranks to Your High School Grades 1050
Comparing Your Scores to Those of Enrolled First-Year College Students 1050
Using ACT College and Career Readiness Standards to Help You Understand Your ACT Scores 1051
Planning Your Education and Career 1052
Seeking Additional Information and Guidance 1052
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards - English 1053
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards - Mathematics 1060
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards - Reading 1069
Text Complexity Rubric - Reading 1076
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards - Science 1083
Part Five: Moving Forward to Test Day 1091
Chapter 13: Registering, Planning, and Packing for Test Day 1093
National Testing Program Versus State and District Testing 1094
Registering for the ACT 1094
Selecting a National Testing Date and Location 1094
Selecting a Test Option 1096
Registering 1096
Registering under Special Circumstances 1097
Planning and Packing for Test Day 1097
Getting to the Test Center 1097
Dressing for Test Day 1098
Packing for Test Day: What to Bring 1098
Obtaining Additional Test Details 1099
At the Test Center 1099
Checking In 1099
Following the Rules 1100
Communicating with the Testing Staff 1101
Maintaining Your Composure and Energy 1102
Voiding Your Answer Documents on Test Day 1103
Testing More Than Once 1103
