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Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
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UCLA
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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Best ACT prep books?

I've decided to start preparing for the ACT, and I wanted to know your recommendations on the best ACT prep books to use. Preferably ones that have helped you improve your score. Thank you!

2 years ago

There are several ACT prep books available, each offering different approaches and strategies to help you improve your scores. Here are some of the top-rated options that have been useful to many students:

1. The Official ACT Prep Guide: Published by the makers of the ACT, this book contains authentic content, including practice tests and explanations for each question. It also provides an overview of the test format and strategies for tackling each section.

2. ACT Prep Black Book: Written by Mike Barrett, this resource offers a comprehensive approach to test-taking strategies, focusing on unique methods to identify patterns, understand the logic behind the test, and eliminate wrong answers. Many students have found success with the methods detailed in the book.

3. For the Love of ACT Science: This book, written by Michael Cerro, focuses on the science portion of the ACT. It breaks down each topic and type of question you will encounter, providing effective strategies to quickly and accurately solve problems.

4. Erica Meltzer's ACT English and Reading books: These books—"The Complete Guide to ACT English" and "The Complete Guide to ACT Reading"—focus on the English and reading sections, offering clear explanations of grammar rules, strategies for understanding passage structures, and practice questions.

5. College Panda series: Authored by Nielson Phu, the College Panda series covers each section of the ACT, offering comprehensive explanations and extensive practice material. Books in the series include "The College Panda's ACT Math," "The College Panda's ACT English," and "The College Panda's ACT Essay."

6. McGraw-Hill Education's 10 ACT Practice Tests: This book provides ten full-length practice tests, along with explanations for the answers. It's a useful resource for becoming familiar with the test format and getting additional practice beyond the prep guides.

Keep in mind that practice is essential when preparing for the ACT. Make a study schedule, work through the material systematically, and take full-length, timed practice tests regularly to assess your progress and identify areas for improvement. Some students find it helpful to use multiple resources, while others prefer focusing on one or two. Figure out what works best for you and stick to it. Good luck!

2 years ago

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