ACT- American College Testing

ACT Exam Description:
The ACT Assessment is designed to assess high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work.

The tests cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. 

Number of questions to include in your exam:


English (25 questions)
Mathematics Usage (30 questions)
Reading (20 questions)
Science (20 questions)

Barron's is one of many publishers that sells standardized exam study guides. Given what the book contains and its price, 'How to Prepare for the ACT' is probably the best ACT book out there. The student has four opportunities to simulate the entire exam (one diagnostic test and three full 'model' ACT tests). I would recommend using many different resources to study for the ACT, but I would also recommend beginning with this book. It will be a lifesaver for procrastinators. It can also give you an edge over the competition, or at least help you keep up. The ACT can be cracked. Barron's can help the diligent, dedicated student crack the ACT.

Additionally, the following delineates the strong points of the study guide according to each section of the exam:

English: a succinct grammar review helps the student amalgamate what he or she has learned from the past several years of junior high and high school. I particularly liked a couple of pages devoted to examples and exercises regarding proper and improper use of commas.

Math: over 130 pages of review, examples and exercises. Not much different than many other books, but then again, you also have four Math sections to test your skills.

Reading: I like the way Barron's gives the student strategy and tactics pointers at the beginning of each 'Review and Practice' section and the tips in the Reading section are very well thought out.

Science Reasoning: contains a 'Words You Should Know' section and other relevant, useful advice for tackling the Science Reasoning section.

Overall, Barron's encourages the reader to actively participate while studying the book and if you can't find or can't afford a tutor, Barron's is definitely better than nothing. econ