The Official ACT Prep Guide 2021-2022

First, this is an updated version of a previously published book; if you already purchased the 2020-2021 or an earlier edition STOP— you likely have already seen 5/6 tests included and buying this may not be worth it! This is not a wholly new book!The Upside:The big feature that you MIGHT want, that this book offers, is the access to the computerized versions of all 6 tests if you’re planning to take the ACT on a computer (ALL international students, any students electing to retake individual sections of the ACT starting in 2021…that is if ACT doesn’t push back the start date for the computerized single section retake option, and any students taking the test on a computer). Note this feature is ALSO available in the now cheaper 2020-2021 guide, but with only 5 tests instead of 6.The other reason this book is better than older versions: it has an additional, 6th test.I’ve been tutoring the ACT for over a decade, have scored perfectly on it as an adult, and have coached students to perfect scores on the test. I run a YouTube channel offering free ACT / SAT prep and college advice (SupertutorTV), have created an online video-based prep course for the ACT, and have written two books on the math section of the ACT (The Best ACT Math Books Ever Vol 1 & 2). In short, I spend an inordinate amount of brain space on the ACT.When it comes to ACT prep, the number one advice I have for my students is to USE AUTHENTIC MATERIALS from the test maker. That means if you’re taking the ACT, and can afford nothing but one book, this is the number one resource I would recommend. Still there are some caveats. My 4 stars is really because of the cost. SAT offers a book of 10 tests for less money (right now for less than $15). This book has only has 6 tests and costs (at the time of writing) over 3x the price.Who doesn’t need this book:If you’re taking the test on paper, only want a couple practice tests, and can get a hold of an older edition for $10-20 less, you might want to do so. You also might know that there are several tests free online you can practice with (more on that later) so if you only have time for a test or two in the book, it might not be worth it.What’s inside:1) Six “real” ACT tests.The last five exams appear to be identical to those in previous edition of this guide— albeit they are in a different order (I have not individually reviewed each question; if I find discrepancies I’ll update).Test 1: (diagnostic): July 2020 Code C01 (Code 20MC8), all sectionsTest 2: English, Reading, Science, Math (Jun 2015 73C), Math (73C+10 random questions from The Real ACT Prep Guide exams, mix of exams, and a few originals), (Code 16MC1)Test 3: English, Reading, Science (Apr 2015 73G), Math (random questions from The Real ACT Prep Guide exams, mostly from Exam #2, and a few originals), (Code 16MC2)Test 4: June 2017 Code 74C (Code 18MC4), all sectionsTest 5: Dec 2017 Code A10 (Code 19MC5), all sectionsTest 6: June 2019 Code A11 (Code 20MC6), all sections2) Essay promptsAll six tests include a complete essay prompt; a seventh prompt is in the chapter on the essay.3) Chapters that review the basic content of each section and have some example questionsThough this might seem to be a great resource, advice from the test makers is rarely as good as advice from private tutors and outside voices. I’m probably biased (I’m a private tutor and develop ACT prep curriculum), but even before I wrote materials, I knew the best tips I found for my students weren’t from the test makers. Ideas like “read carefully and thoroughly," are terrible advice for some students who when doing so can’t even finish half of a section. The voice of the book feels more objective than insightful in its advice.The biggest value of this book is the real tests, not the section advice. If you want test prep advice, get another book or two from an independent tutor. Still, answer explanations may be useful for those skilled at self-assessment to make progress.ALSO: Many of the “real” examples from these topic-based chapters are part of fully released exams from prior years, such as 61C (the packet released free of charge in 2008-2009). As a result, the example material is not a huge boon for students, but actual a bit of a "spoiler" for anyone who digs up these old, free, released pdf tests online and wants to use them to practice full exams.4) General information about the test that details registering, planning and packing for test day.Can you get most of this for free from the ACT website? Yep! Some of the book’s information is even incorrect (such as the idea that individual section retakes on a computer began in 2020…they didn’t).

I've been an SAT / ACT tutor since 2008, so I write this review from that perspective.Since I review the official ACT prep guide every year, I'll give you a two sentence summary of the book itself, then I'll respond to the ACT's misleading marketing copy for the book.My summary: Although it's crucial to practice with official ACT tests and this book has 6 of 'em, there are dozens you can find online that have been released as part of the ACT's "Test Information Release" program, so you don't really need to purchase this book. The answer explanations in the book do not justify its purchase and this is not a "prep guide".A more accurate title would be "6 ACT Practice Tests".Below, you'll find the ACT's Amazon.com marketing copy for the book followed by my responses.Don’t let your competitors race ahead of you. Get The Official ACT Prep Guide today!Vince: "Lol - this book in no way gives you an edge. Your serious competitors probably are taking the dozens of tests online I referred to earlier."The Official ACT Prep Guide 2021-2022 is created by the same people who crafted the ACT. With inside knowledge of the ACT test, the writers of this book packed the guide with practical and useful info to help you ace the test.Vince: "Would you buy a "how to ace your taxes" book from the IRS? Didn't think so. The test writers ain't gonna give you the real dirt on how to ace their own test."You’ll learn how to approach each question type on the test and how to read and retain info quickly. In the book, you’ll find answer keys to all the provided sample questions. Unlike other ACT prep guides, this book includes official information from the people who wrote the ACT test. It includes information regarding ACT super scores and more. Gain an edge with six practice tests designed to whip you into peak ACT shape.Vince: "The info about super scores is available online... no need to buy a book for that! Like I said before, of course official tests are a good thing. Tests written by third party companies like Kaplan and The Princeton Review aren't realistic."Don’t waste any more time with guides written by outsiders.Vince: "As I just mentioned, you don't want to use third-party practice tests. However, there are EXCELLENT single subject ACT books written by veteran tutors that WILL give you an edge. Erica Meltzer, Brooke Hanson, and Hugh Hung Vo write the best ones I've yet found."The Official ACT Prep Guide 2021-2022 contains all the inside info you need about new additions to the ACT test.Vince: "What inside info? You can learn this yourself by looking at recently released ACT tests. The test doesn't markedly change from year to year. For this reason, ACTs from 20 years ago are still excellent practice. However, make sure you practice with the most recent ACT tests you can possibly find, since there are a few math concepts that’ve come up more in recent years.”The only book with 6(!) official practice tests written by the makers of the ACTVince: "The 6th test is the same one that was administered in July of 2020, if you're curious. The other 5 are the same ones as last year's version of this book. Fun fact: the ACT releases a new “edition” of this book every year, but nothing important changes. It’s just a way to sell more books since people think they need the new edition.”Full of advice and suggestions to increase your studying speedVince: "(See IRS remark above.)"Detailed explanations for every answer in the bookVince: "These are ok, but too academic and too bound by the constraint, imposed by the ACT's raison d'être, to make the test seem like a rigorous test of academic ability. I.e. they're not the best way to learn how to ace the test."Includes 400 flashcards onlineVince: "I tried to get these to work, but I couldn't - the website didn't show anything under my products".This guide will allow you to do your absolute best on the test of your life. Do not miss out!Vince: "I just think this is goofy wording. The test of your life?? Also, this I think is a shameful attempt to make the test seem more important than it really is. Are test scores important for competitive college admissions? Yes. Is the ACT life-defining, or is the college you go to life-defining? Hell no.”Anyway, good luck with your kid's ACT prep!

My son used these practice tests to increase his ACT score to a 34. Yes! :) Practicing and studying the explanations makes a big difference in test performance. The student begins to think more like the test writers.

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