The Official ACT Prep Guide 2020-2021

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 Test
			English Test
			Mathematics Test
			Reading Test
			Science Test
			Writing Test (Optional)
		The Fifth Test and Section Retesting
		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
			Practice Test 1
		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 Errors
		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
			Science Subject Areas
			Types of Science Questions
			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
		Practice Test 2
			Explanatory Answers
		Practice Test 3
			Explanatory Answers
		Practice Test 4
			Explanatory Answers
		Practice Test 5
			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
		Scoring Practice Test 4
			Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests
			Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 4 Essay
		Scoring Practice Test 5
			Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests
			Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 5 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 State and District 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
			Following the Rules
			Communicating with the Testing Staff
			Maintaining Your Composure and Energy
		Voiding Your Answer Documents on Test Day
		Testing More Than Once
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