Barrons How to Prepare for the Act: American College Testing Assessment (Barron's How to Prepare for the Act (American College Testing Program), 12th Ed)

Rating:
Summary: A comprehensive study guide and a good value
Review: 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

Rating:
Summary: Worth every penny!
Review: I took the ACT my junior year and only received a score of 25. However, after using this book for about a month in advance, I was able to achieve a score of 29. I attribute most of, if not all of that increase to this book. It's practice tests are great, but that is not all. For each section different topics are discussed and mini-tests are given in these areas. The English section really helped me to not only practice, but understand many simple ideas about grammar and punctuation, that I had never learned. Not only does it cover everything you need to know, but in a few cases it covers information that is not necessary. However, it is very rare, and chances are it will only help you, and not hurt you. If you plan on taking the ACT and need review material, this is the book for you!

Rating:
Summary: Worth every penny!
Review: I took the ACT my junior year and only received a score of 25. However, after using this book for about a month in advance, I was able to achieve a score of 29. I attribute most of, if not all of that increase to this book. It's practice tests are great, but that is not all. For each section different topics are discussed and mini-tests are given in these areas. The English section really helped me to not only practice, but understand many simple ideas about grammar and punctuation, that I had never learned. Not only does it cover everything you need to know, but in a few cases it covers information that is not necessary. However, it is very rare, and chances are it will only help you, and not hurt you. If you plan on taking the ACT and need review material, this is the book for you!

Rating:
Summary: Don't waste you time
Review: Most of this book has stuff you don't need to know. For example, it talks about graphing complex functions and sequences and series. You'll never see anything like that. If you do, it will be easy enough not to know the formulas they give you. The practice tests are ten times more difficult than the real test. Go with the Princeton Review, or better yet, take the SAT. They at least give you enough time to do the sections.

Rating:
Summary: Don't waste you time
Review: Most of this book has stuff you don't need to know. For example, it talks about graphing complex functions and sequences and series. You'll never see anything like that. If you do, it will be easy enough not to know the formulas they give you. The practice tests are ten times more difficult than the real test. Go with the Princeton Review, or better yet, take the SAT. They at least give you enough time to do the sections.

Rating:
Summary: Very Helpful
Review: This was a great study aid for preparing for the ACT. I don't think I could have been as prepared for the test had it not been for this great book. Thanks to this book I am sure any college will accept me, well maybe not any.