The Official ACT Prep Guide, 2018-19 Edition (Book + Bonus Online Content)
2020 Edition (Book + Bonus Online Content)
1st Edition
Published on 6. June 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
864 pages
978-1-119-50806-9 (ISBN)
Description
The only guide from the ACT organization, the makers of the exam, revised and updated for 2019 with 4 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 practice sets
* Updated writing prompts and directions
* Real ACT test forms used in previous years
The Official ACT Prep Guide, 2018-2019,is the only guide from the makers of the exam and includes actual ACT test forms (taken from past ACT exams). It offers 4 actual ACT tests (all with optional writing test) so you may practice at your own pace. To help you review, this guide 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.
The test creators also created online resources accessible through this book. You can practice with the 400 additional test questions that can be organized, filtered, and tracked for performance. Or you can read the online articles discussing everything from a polished college admissions form to tips on how to graduate in four years.
The Official ACT Prep Guide, 2018-2019 is the best resource to prepare you for test day. By using this guide you can feel comfortable that you are preparing to do your best!
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 practice sets
* Updated writing prompts and directions
* Real ACT test forms used in previous years
The Official ACT Prep Guide, 2018-2019,is the only guide from the makers of the exam and includes actual ACT test forms (taken from past ACT exams). It offers 4 actual ACT tests (all with optional writing test) so you may practice at your own pace. To help you review, this guide 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.
The test creators also created online resources accessible through this book. You can practice with the 400 additional test questions that can be organized, filtered, and tracked for performance. Or you can read the online articles discussing everything from a polished college admissions form to tips on how to graduate in four years.
The Official ACT Prep Guide, 2018-2019 is the best resource to prepare you for test day. By using this guide you can feel comfortable that you are preparing to do your best!
More details
Other editions
New editions
Book
05/2019
Wiley
€32.78
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Previous edition
Book
06/2017
Wiley
€34.90
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Content
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 Skills 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
Subject Matter 196
Types of Science Questions 197
Common Science 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
Chapter 11: Scoring the Additional Practice Tests 752
Scoring Your Practice Tests 753
Scoring Practice Test 2 754
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 754
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 2 Essay 760
Scoring Practice Test 3 763
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 763
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 3 Essay 768
Scoring Practice Test 4 770
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 770
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 4 Essay 775
Chapter 12: Interpreting Your ACT Test Scores and Ranks 777
Understanding Your ACT Test Results 779
How ACT Scores Your Multiple-Choice Tests 779
How ACT Scores Your Writing Test 779
Recognizing That Test Scores Are Estimates of Educational Achievement 779
Using Ranks to Interpret Your Scores 780
Comparing Your Test Scores to Each Other 780
Comparing Your Scores and Ranks to Your High School Grades 780
Comparing Your Scores to Those of Enrolled First-Year College Students 780
Using ACT College and Career Readiness Standards to Help You Understand Your ACT Scores 781
Planning Your Education and Career 782
Seeking Additional Information and Guidance 782
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards--English 783
Production of Writing 783
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards--Mathematics 790
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards--Reading 799
Text Complexity Rubric--Reading 806
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards--Science 813
Part Five: Moving Forward to Test Day 817
Chapter 13: Registering, Planning, and Packing for Test Day 819
National Testing Program versus State and District Testing 820
Registering for the ACT 820
Selecting a National Testing Date and Location 820
Selecting a Test Option 822
Registering 822
Registering Under Special Circumstances 823
Planning and Packing for Test Day 823
Getting to the Test Center 823
Dressing for Test Day 824
Packing for Test Day: What to Bring 824
Obtaining Additional Test Details 825
At the Test Center 825
Checking In 825
Following the Rules 826
Communicating with the Testing Staff 827
Maintaining Your Composure and Energy 828
Voiding Your Answer Documents on Test Day 828
Testing More Than Once 829
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 Skills 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
Subject Matter 196
Types of Science Questions 197
Common Science 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
Chapter 11: Scoring the Additional Practice Tests 752
Scoring Your Practice Tests 753
Scoring Practice Test 2 754
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 754
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 2 Essay 760
Scoring Practice Test 3 763
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 763
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 3 Essay 768
Scoring Practice Test 4 770
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 770
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 4 Essay 775
Chapter 12: Interpreting Your ACT Test Scores and Ranks 777
Understanding Your ACT Test Results 779
How ACT Scores Your Multiple-Choice Tests 779
How ACT Scores Your Writing Test 779
Recognizing That Test Scores Are Estimates of Educational Achievement 779
Using Ranks to Interpret Your Scores 780
Comparing Your Test Scores to Each Other 780
Comparing Your Scores and Ranks to Your High School Grades 780
Comparing Your Scores to Those of Enrolled First-Year College Students 780
Using ACT College and Career Readiness Standards to Help You Understand Your ACT Scores 781
Planning Your Education and Career 782
Seeking Additional Information and Guidance 782
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards--English 783
Production of Writing 783
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards--Mathematics 790
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards--Reading 799
Text Complexity Rubric--Reading 806
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards--Science 813
Part Five: Moving Forward to Test Day 817
Chapter 13: Registering, Planning, and Packing for Test Day 819
National Testing Program versus State and District Testing 820
Registering for the ACT 820
Selecting a National Testing Date and Location 820
Selecting a Test Option 822
Registering 822
Registering Under Special Circumstances 823
Planning and Packing for Test Day 823
Getting to the Test Center 823
Dressing for Test Day 824
Packing for Test Day: What to Bring 824
Obtaining Additional Test Details 825
At the Test Center 825
Checking In 825
Following the Rules 826
Communicating with the Testing Staff 827
Maintaining Your Composure and Energy 828
Voiding Your Answer Documents on Test Day 828
Testing More Than Once 829