The Official Act Prep Guide 2020 - 2021, (Book + 5 Practice Tests + Bonus Online Content)

Without any prep, my son scored a 30 on his first take, which was below what we expected given his pre-ACT and PSAT scores. He improved on each section the second time, using this resource. Starting three weeks ahead of take two, he spent 1-2 hours a day preparing unless it was a practice test day. He used this guide and Barron's 36 book in combination. With this book, he would take one of it's tests on the first day of a three-day cycle. On day two, he would go over the items' explanations in the book for any missed questions as well as any items he had circled during the exam because he was guessing bw two or more answers. On day three, he would use the Barron's guide to focus on the items he identified the day before as lowest remaining fruit. He thought the the most important aspect of this book was helping him to internalize the pace at which tests need to take place and which items he should skip (a few types of math items for him).

Taking a paid course did not lead to more improvement in the scores than buying this inexpensive book AND taking the time and effort to do all the exercises.

We had stressed the importance of taking this test early in life, and when the middle child got a 31, we thought that was pretty good. But he didn't, so we got this book, and he read a little online about the test and with that he was able to score a 36, which appears to be pretty darn good. I don't really like the way he brags about it, though.

First, this is an updated version of a previously published book; if you already purchased the 2019-2020 edition STOP— you likely have already seen 4/5 tests included and buying this may not be worth it! This is not a wholly new book!The big feature that you MIGHT want in any case is the access to the computerized versions of all 5 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, and possibly anyone planning to take the computerized exam in 2021 from home if COVID 19 continues to shut down test centers).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 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.Who doesn’t need this book:This edition has a noticeable price increase from the last edition (hence my 4 stars, not 5), likely because it includes access to “online” versions of the computerized ACT (note these tests online are IDENTICAL to the tests in the book—you’re not getting 10 tests, you’re getting 5). If you’re taking the test on paper and can get a hold of the 2019-2020 edition for $15-18 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, or already have the previous edition, again, it might not be worth it.How this book compares to previous editions:Like previous editions of the same/similar title, this book reflects the changes to the ACT exam that rolled out in 2014 when ACT added more probability/statistics items to the math section, reduced the number of science passages from 7 to 6, and added a dual reading passage section. The ACT has also revamped the essay a couple of times since 2014, so the newer two editions are best to that end.Unlike previous editions, the online question “bank” now has access to computerized versions of the 5 ACT tests included in the book, but does NOT include the 400 additional bonus questions that were accessible with a code in previous editions (that’s right, NO bonus question access anymore). The tests are available both in a “quiz” format (which I don’t recommend) and in the same format as the “computerized” ACT given internationally and at select testing sites in the US. This is also the same format students will be required to use if they elect to retake individual sections of the ACT, an option available in the US starting in 2021 (this roll out has been pushed due to COVID 19). The Kindle Edition also includes the bank of computerized exams. If you’re an international student or just aiming to retake a section or two at this point and are buying this for practice in that format, save some cash and go with the Kindle edition.Also, the first diagnostic test in this book is “new”: form code 20MC6, AKA Code A11, an ACT administered in June 2019. To make room for this new test, this edition omits what was test 3 (Code 16MC3) in the 2017-2019 editions, and in a somewhat confusing fashion, ACT has renumbered the exams (i.e. what used to be test “1” is now labelled test “2”). Go by the form code (16MC1 etc.) if you are working with anyone who has an older version of the book. This replacement is a fine move, as test “3” repeated quite a bit of material from tests 4 & 5 in the “Real ACT Prep Guide” (now out of print), so overachievers can dig up used copies of that guide and get a few more practice tests out of it. Likewise, A11 is a newer test and thus slightly more accurate practice than the old test “3.” The remaining four tests are identical (albeit #1/#2 are numbered differently) to those in the 2019-2020 guide.A few complaints:No bonus questions! Previous versions had a scratch off code for 400 ADDITIONAL practice questions in addition to the practice test questions, sourced from the out of print Real ACT Prep Guide. Now all the content accessible online is redundant to what’s in the book.Additionally, the OFFICIAL ACT PREP GUIDE (this book) and all versions of it borrows heavily from the previous book of ACT Tests pre-2014 changes called The Real ACT 3rd Edition, particularly in the math sections (more on this below) of tests 2-3 in this book. That's kind of annoying, as it means you can't buy both books and get 10 tests. If you buy both you get more like 8-9 tests. I know the other one is out of print, but it would still be nice to be able to buy that book used and get even more tests to practice with in complete form. As time goes on, there are more tests in this book, and now 2 free pdfs of post 2014 tests (see below) available, so this is becoming less of an issue, but it’s still something.Finally, there is only one set of example essays for the essay section based on one prompt (not all the prompts that are paired with the tests). Students who really want to learn more about the essay may be left wanting more input.What’s inside:1) Five “real” ACT tests.The last four exams appear to be identical to those in previous editions of this guide. I’ve noted the form codes these were sourced from below in case you know of these past exams.Test 1 (diagnostic): June 2019 Code A11 (Code 20MC6), 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 sections2) Essay promptsAll five tests include a complete essay prompt; a sixth 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. But this information is good to have from the source of the test in any case.If you’re looking to maximize your access to REAL materials, know there are some other options:1) Get last year’s book (2019-2020 edition). 4/5 of these tests are included, plus one more not here. At the time of writing this review, the old book is over $15 cheaper on Amazon.2) Find the previously released free exams that ACT.org has offered students from prior years (note some may date from before the test tweaks in 2014):There is one free right now at ACT's site (2018-2019 practice test, Code 74F PRE),A second “online” edition free for international students at ACT.orgThe 2017-2018 pdf practice test Code 72C PRE is also floating around on the internet,And many sites have cataloged even older editions (2014-2015, 2011-2012, and 2008-2009) of the Preparing for the ACT packet. A quick online search for SupertutorTV resources will get you to a blog that lists several free ACT tests online.3) Get a used copy of the The Real ACT (CD) 3rd Edition (Official Act Prep Guide) in addition to this book if you’re looking for more practice tests in print.You’ll likely want to skip most of the math sections except for anecdotal practice (particularly tests 4 and 2 which show up heavily on the math section of the newer book), but other sections are useful. Know that the reading has no dual passages, and that the science has more passages but the same number of questions.Overall:Get this for the tests if you’re planning to take the ACT on a computer at some point (you can't beat real tests!). Go over your mistakes and learn from them!Skip most of the chapter advice by topic (Math, Science, Reading, etc.) unless you can't afford more books or alternate options.If you’re on a budget, or planning to take the test on paper, there are other options (see above).Note on the KINDLE EDITION: I've also purchased the Kindle version. You can't zoom in on practice test pages at all and the quality is not the best, but it is useable. I would just use the online test access if you do get the Kindle edition as it is more user friendly. Else a hard copy is just a better bet, especially because the hard copy also comes with online access to the digital versions of the exams. However, if you know you’re taking this test on a computer, the Kindle edition is much cheaper and not a bad option. The online access code in the Kindle Edition is much easier to find than with the last edition (it’s at the end of the Kindle book).

highly recommended! The book is intimadating due to its thickness. Although, the in-depth explanation as to why a,b,c, are not a good choice and D is. Makes this book worth every penny. If you answer questions and then told its A because etc. Its not teaching you. This breaks down every possible answer as to why it is not, in depth. The practice test in the book are EXCELLENT. Plus you have access to the online, as well. My daughter took a practice test and scored 25 and month later a 29 on her official ACT test. They can do it on there own and save money.

My kid tried to leave it in the Amazon box on the kitchen table for a couple of months and I didn't see a lot of progress.I have a new plan- have hired a teacher as tutor to be the bad guy and make them remove from box do the workWill update review if this works.

For high schoolers who are preparing to take the ACT: this is hands-down the best prep book out there. The practice tests are very similar to the actual tests and so this is the best way to assess how you will do on the exam. There are also amazing question explanations! I was very happy with my score after using this book to study.

Check out my other review of the ACT Black Book for more details but this is a great resource to use to prepare for the ACT. Don't expect to score well if you haven't studied some of the strategies and tips they cover here. Even if you are already smart, be smarter and prepare for the test! :)

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Amazing book!Great product. The owner is very helpful too he sent me the book super early due to my urgency! Loved the product.Thank you