本社編的《THE OFFICIAL ACT PREP GUIDE》
is the bestsetting resource for students
getting ready to take the ACT test. Step by
step, it walks you through the entire test
experience, from registration to your Score
Report, and provides you with effective
test-taking strategies.
The guide inctudes three actuat ACT
tests—all of which contain the optionat
writing test—that you can use to practice
at your own pace. To hetp you better review
test subjects and improve your
understanding, the guide provides ctear
exptanations for every answer and ideas for
boosting your score on the Engtish, math,
reading, and science tests as wett as the
optionat writing test. Fitted with expert
advice from the test's creators on preparing
both mentatty and physicatty, the guide atso
hetps you:Review the entire content of the
ACT so you'tt know what to expect;
Understand the procedures you'tt fottow when
you're taking the ACT; Be ready for the
types of questions you can expect to find on
the test; Adopt test-taking strategies that
are right for you
By using the strategies outtined in The
Official ACT Prep Guide, you can feet
comfortabte and confident that you're
prepared to do your best on test day.

Preface
How This Book Is Arranged
Before You Begin

Part One: Getting Acquainted with the ACT Test
Chapter 1: About the ACT
Description of the ACT
English Test
Mathematics Test
Reading Test
Science Test
Writing Test (Optional)
ACT Test Formats: Paper and Online
Using a Calculator
Taking the Test
Summary
Chapter 2: Preparation, Skills, and Strategies
Mental Preparation
Identify Strengths and Address Areas of Improvement
Develop a Positive Mental Attitude
Keep the Test in Perspective
General Test-Taking Strategies and Skills
Remain Calm
Pace Yourself
Know the Directions Ahead of Time
Read Carefully and Thoroughly
Choose Strategies for Answering Easier and More Difficult Questions
Use Logic on More Difficult Questions
Choose a Strategy for Guessing on Multiple-Choice Questions
Choose a Strategy for Changing Answers
Write Notes in Your Test Booklet
Mark Your Answers Carefully
Plan to Check Your Answers
Learn Strategies for Specific Tests
Summary

Part Two: Taking and Evaluating Your First Practice Test
Chapter 3: Taking and Scoring Your First ACT Practice Test
Simulating Testing Conditions
Scoring Your Practice Test
Scoring Your Multiple-Choice Practice Tests
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test Essay
Reviewing Explanatory Answers
Chapter 4: Identifying Areas for Improvement
Reviewing Your Overall Performance
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the English Test
Test-Taking Skills
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Mathematics Test
Math Subject Areas
Test-Taking Errors
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Reading Test
Types of Reading Passages
Reading Skills Tested
Test-Taking Errors
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Science Test
Subject Matter
Types of Science Questions
Common Science Test-Taking Errors
Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Writing Test
Writing Skills Tested
Writing Strategy or Process Errors

Part Three: Improving Your Score
Chapter 5: Improving Your English Score
Content of the ACT English Test
Types of Questions on the ACT English Test
Strategies for Taking the ACT English Test
Chapter 6: Improving Your Math Score
Content of the ACT Mathematics Test
Preparing for Higher Math
Integrating Essential Skills
Modeling
Types of Questions on the ACT Mathematics Test
Basic Math Problems
Basic Math Problems in Settings
Very Challenging Problems
Question Sets
Strategies for Taking the ACT Mathematics Test
Pace Yourself
Answer All Questions
Answer All the Easy Questions First, Then Go Back to Answer the Hard Ones
Read Each Problem Carefully
Look for Information in the Answer Choices
Use Illustrations Wisely and Whenever You Can
Use Your Calculator Wisely
Think!
Show Your Work
Check Your Answers
Chapter 7: Improving Your Reading Score
Content of the ACT Reading Test
Key Ideas and Details
Craft and Structure
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
Types of Questions on the ACT Reading Test
Representative ACT Reading Test Questions
Strategies for Taking the ACT Reading Test
Pace Yourself
Use the Time Allotted
Think of an Overall Strategy That Works for You
Keep the Passage as a Whole in Mind
Find a Strategy for Approaching Each Question
Reading Strategies Summary
Chapter 8: Improving Your Science Score
Content of the ACT Science Test
Format of the ACT Science Test
Data Representation Format
Discussion of Sample Passage I (Data Representation)
Research Summaries Format
Discussion of Sample Passage II (Research Summaries)
Conflicting Viewpoints Format
Discussion of Sample Passage III (Conflicting Viewpoints)
Strategies for Taking the ACT Science Test
Develop a Problem-Solving Method
Take Notes
Pace Yourself
Practice Interpreting Graphs, Tables, and Diagrams
Make the Most of the Information in Graphs
Make the Most of the Information in Tables
Develop an Understanding of Scientific Investigations
Carefully Analyze Conflicting Viewpoints
Chapter 9: Improving Your Score on the Optional Writing Test
Content of the ACT Writing Test
How Your Essay Will Be Scored
Sample Prompt and Essays
Sample ACT Writing Test Prompt
Sample Essay Responses
Strategies for Taking the ACT Writing Test
Prewrite
Write
Review Your Essay
Practice

Part Four: Taking Additional Practice Tests
Chapter 10: Taking Additional Practice Tests
Explanatory Answers
Explanatory Answers
Chapter 11: Scoring the Additional Practice Tests
Scoring Your Practice Tests
Scoring Practice Test 2
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 2 Essay
Scoring Practice Test 3
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests
Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 3 Essay
Chapter 12: Interpreting Your ACT Test Scores and Ranks
Understanding Your ACT Test Results
How ACT Scores Your Multiple-Choice Tests
How ACT Scores Your Writing Test
Recognizing That Test Scores Are Estimates of Educational Achievement
Using Ranks to Interpret Your Scores
Comparing Your Test Scores to Each Other
Comparing Your Scores and Ranks to Your High School Grades
Comparing Your Scores to Those of Enrolled First-Year College Students
Using ACT College and Career Readiness Standards to Help You Understand Your ACT Scores
Planning Your Education and Career
Seeking Additional Information and Guidance
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards--English
Production of Writing
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards--Mathematics
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards--Reading
Text Complexity Rubric--Reading
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards--Science
Part Five: Moving Forward to Test Day
Chapter 13: Registering, Planning, and Packing for Test Day
National Testing Program versus School/District/State Testing
Registering for the ACT
Selecting a National Testing Date and Location
Selecting a Test Option
Registering
Registering Under Special Circumstances
Planning and Packing for Test Day
Getting to the Test Center
Dressing for Test Day
Packing for Test Day: What to Bring
Obtaining Additional Test Details
At the Test Center
Checking In
The ONLY Official Prep Guide from the Makers of the ACT Following the Rules
Communicating with the Testing Staff
Maintaining Your Composure and Energy
Voiding Your Answer Documents on Test Day
Testing More Than Once