The Official ACT Prep Guide 2025-2026: Book + Online Course
The comprehensive guide to the 2025–2026 ACT test—including four genuine, full-length practice tests.

The Official ACT® Prep Guide 2025–2026 book includes four authentic ACT tests—all of which contain the optional writing test—so you get maximum practice before your test date.

This guide provides clear explanations for every answer straight from the makers of the ACT to help you improve your understanding of each subject. You'll also get practical tips and strategies for boosting your score on the English, math, reading, science, and (optional) writing tests; four new practice tests that reflect the Enhanced ACT experience; and expert advice on how to mentally and physically prepare for your test.

This edition has been updated with four new practice tests, writing samples, and prompts, so you can be sure your materials will set you up for success on your ACT test.

Through the Official Guide, you'll learn what to expect on test day, understand the types of questions you will encounter when taking the ACT, and adopt test-taking strategies that are right for you.
1146871887
The Official ACT Prep Guide 2025-2026: Book + Online Course
The comprehensive guide to the 2025–2026 ACT test—including four genuine, full-length practice tests.

The Official ACT® Prep Guide 2025–2026 book includes four authentic ACT tests—all of which contain the optional writing test—so you get maximum practice before your test date.

This guide provides clear explanations for every answer straight from the makers of the ACT to help you improve your understanding of each subject. You'll also get practical tips and strategies for boosting your score on the English, math, reading, science, and (optional) writing tests; four new practice tests that reflect the Enhanced ACT experience; and expert advice on how to mentally and physically prepare for your test.

This edition has been updated with four new practice tests, writing samples, and prompts, so you can be sure your materials will set you up for success on your ACT test.

Through the Official Guide, you'll learn what to expect on test day, understand the types of questions you will encounter when taking the ACT, and adopt test-taking strategies that are right for you.
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The Official ACT Prep Guide 2025-2026: Book + Online Course

The Official ACT Prep Guide 2025-2026: Book + Online Course

The Official ACT Prep Guide 2025-2026: Book + Online Course

The Official ACT Prep Guide 2025-2026: Book + Online Course

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Overview

The comprehensive guide to the 2025–2026 ACT test—including four genuine, full-length practice tests.

The Official ACT® Prep Guide 2025–2026 book includes four authentic ACT tests—all of which contain the optional writing test—so you get maximum practice before your test date.

This guide provides clear explanations for every answer straight from the makers of the ACT to help you improve your understanding of each subject. You'll also get practical tips and strategies for boosting your score on the English, math, reading, science, and (optional) writing tests; four new practice tests that reflect the Enhanced ACT experience; and expert advice on how to mentally and physically prepare for your test.

This edition has been updated with four new practice tests, writing samples, and prompts, so you can be sure your materials will set you up for success on your ACT test.

Through the Official Guide, you'll learn what to expect on test day, understand the types of questions you will encounter when taking the ACT, and adopt test-taking strategies that are right for you.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9798228584259
Publisher: Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date: 08/26/2025
Product dimensions: 5.30(w) x 7.50(h) x (d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

ACT Education Corp. is a public benefit corporation providing assessment, research, information, and program management services to support education and workforce development. Known most widely as the makers of the ACT exam-the college readiness and placement assessment taken by some 1.8 million high school students each year-ACT produces a number of assessments and services reaching more than 10 million people along the kindergarten through career continuum. ACT's rigorous research informs policy decisions and helps develop programs that boost lifelong learning potential in schools and workplaces around the world.

Barry Abrams has narrated and produced audiobooks for a variety of publishers. Since 2012, he has also hosted and produced ESPN’s In the Gate podcast. Based in Danbury, Connecticut, he also engineers and calls live webcasts of his son’s ice hockey games.

Table of Contents

Preface xi

How This Book Is Arranged xii

Before You Begin xii

Part One: Getting Acquainted with the ACT Test 1

Chapter 1: About the ACT 3

Description of the Full ACT Test 4

English Test 4

Mathematics Test 6

Reading Test 14

Science Test 17

Writing Test (Optional) 19

Unscored Items 21

Using a Calculator 22

Taking the Test 23

Summary 24

Chapter 2: Preparation, Skills, and Strategies 25

Mental Preparation 26

Identify Strengths and Address Areas of Improvement 26

Develop a Positive Mental Attitude 27

Keep the Test in Perspective 27

General Test-Taking Strategies and Skills 27

Remain Calm 27

Pace Yourself 28

Know the Directions Ahead of Time 29

Read Carefully and Thoroughly 29

Choose Strategies for Answering Easier and More Difficult Questions 30

Use Logic on More Difficult Questions 30

Choose a Strategy for Guessing on Multiple-Choice Questions 30

Choose a Strategy for Changing Answers 31

Write Notes in Your Test Booklet 31

Mark Your Answers Carefully 31

Plan to Check Your Answers 32

Learn Strategies for Specific Tests 32

Summary 32

Part Two: Taking and Evaluating Your First Practice Test 35

Chapter 3: Taking and Scoring Your First ACT Practice Test 37

Simulating Testing Conditions 37

Scoring Your Practice Test 99

Scoring Your Multiple-Choice Practice Tests 100

Scoring Your Practice Writing Test Essay 106

Reviewing Explanatory Answers 111

Chapter 4: Identifying Areas for Improvement 170

Reviewing Your Overall Performance 171

Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the English Test 172

Test-Taking Errors 172

Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Mathematics Test 174

Math Subject Areas 174

Test-Taking Errors 174

Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Reading Test 175

Types of Reading Passages 176

Reading Skills Tested 176

Test-Taking Errors 177

Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Science Test 178

Science Subject Areas 178

Types of Science Passages 179

Test-Taking Errors 179

Highlighting Strengths and Areas for Improvement on the Writing Test 180

Writing Skills Tested 180

Writing Strategy or Process Errors 182

Part Three: Improving Your Score 183

Chapter 5: Improving Your English Score 185

Content of the ACT English Test 185

Types of Questions on the ACT English Test 186

Strategies for Taking the ACT English Test 195

Chapter 6: Improving Your Math Score 211

Content of the ACT Mathematics Test 212

Preparing for Higher Math 212

Integrating Essential Skills 212

Modeling 213

Types of Questions on the ACT Mathematics Test 213

Basic Math Problems 213

Basic Math Problems in Settings 217

Very Challenging Problems 221

Strategies for Taking the ACT Mathematics Test 229

Pace Yourself 229

Answer All Questions 229

Answer All the Easy Questions First, Then Go Back to Answer the Hard Ones 230

Read Each Problem Carefully 230

Look for Information in the Answer Choices 230

Use Illustrations Wisely and Whenever You Can 231

Use Your Calculator Wisely 231

Think! 231

Show Your Work 232

Check Your Answers 232

Chapter 7: Improving Your Reading Score 233

Content of the ACT Reading Test 233

Key Ideas and Details 234

Craft and Structure 234

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas 234

Types of Questions on the ACT Reading Test 235

Representative ACT Reading Test Questions 235

Strategies for Taking the ACT Reading Test 244

Pace Yourself 244

Use the Time Allotted 244

Think of an Overall Strategy That Works for You 245

Keep the Passage as a Whole in Mind 245

Find a Strategy for Approaching Each Question 245

Reading Strategies Summary 246

Chapter 8: Improving Your Science Score 254

Content of the ACT Science Test 254

Format of the ACT Science Test 255

Data Representation Format 256

Discussion of Sample Passage I (Data Representation) 258

Research Summaries Format 261

Discussion of Sample Passage II (Research Summaries) 263

Conflicting Viewpoints Format 265

Discussion of Sample Passage III (Conflicting Viewpoints) 267

Strategies for Taking the ACT Science Test 270

Develop a Problem-Solving Method 270

Take Notes 271

Pace Yourself 271

Practice Interpreting Graphs, Tables, and Diagrams 271

Make the Most of the Information in Graphs 272

Make the Most of the Information in Tables 274

Develop an Understanding of Scientific Investigations 275

Carefully Analyze Conflicting Viewpoints 275

Chapter 9: Improving Your Score on the Optional Writing Test 276

Content of the ACT Writing Test 277

How Your Essay Will Be Scored 277

Sample Prompt and Essays 277

Sample ACT Writing Test Prompt 278

Planning Your Essay 280

Sample Essay Responses 281

Strategies for Taking the ACT Writing Test 304

Prewrite 304

Write 304

Review Your Essay 305

Practice 305

Part Four: Taking Additional Practice Tests 307

Chapter 10: Taking Additional Practice Tests 309

Practice Test 2 315

Explanatory Answers 371

Practice Test 3 429

Explanatory Answers 485

Practice Test 4 543

Explanatory Answers 599

Chapter 11: Scoring the Additional Practice Tests 649

Scoring Your Practice Tests 650

Scoring Practice Test 2 651

Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 651

Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 2 Essay 657

Scoring Practice Test 3 659

Scoring the Multiple-Choice Tests 659

Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 3 Essay 665

Scoring Practice Test 4 667

Scoring Your Multiple-Choice Practice Tests 667

Scoring Your Practice Writing Test 4 Essay 673

Chapter 12: Interpreting Your ACT Test Scores and Ranks 675

Understanding Your ACT Test Results 677

How ACT Scores Your Multiple-Choice Tests 677

How ACT Scores Your Writing Test 677

Recognizing That Test Scores Are Estimates of Educational Achievement 677

Using Ranks to Interpret Your Scores 678

Comparing Your Test Scores to Each Other 678

Comparing Your Scores and Ranks to Your High School Grades 678

Comparing Your Scores to Those of Enrolled First-Year College Students 678

Using ACT College and Career Readiness Standards to Help You Understand Your ACT Scores 679

Planning Your Education and Career 680

Seeking Additional Information and Guidance 680

ACT College and Career Readiness Standards—English 681

ACT College and Career Readiness Standards—Mathematics 688

ACT College and Career Readiness Standards—Reading 697

Text Complexity Rubric—Reading 704

ACT College and Career Readiness Standards—Science 711

ACT College and Career Readiness Standards—Writing 715

Part Five: Moving Forward to Test Day 719

Chapter 13: Registering, Planning, and Packing for Test Day 721

National Testing Program Versus State and District Testing 722

Registering for the ACT 722

Selecting a National Testing Date and Location 722

Selecting a Test Option 724

Registering 724

Registering under Special Circumstances 725

Planning and Packing for Test Day 725

Getting to the Test Center 725

Dressing for Test Day 726

Packing for Test Day: What to Bring 726

Obtaining Additional Test Details 727

At the Test Center 727

Checking In 727

Following the Rules 728

Communicating with the Testing Staff 729

Maintaining Your Composure and Energy 730

Voiding Your Answer Documents on Test Day 731

Testing More Than Once 731

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