Chris in PA Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Hi all, My dd has been working on SAT prep for the last several weeks. We are finding weak areas in her vocabulary and math and are considering the ACT. It is only offered in our area on April 14. She is a junior this year. I would like her to try the test to see how she does. I think a straightforward test would suit her better. I was wondering if anyone had some ideas for a "crash" prep course. I found the YouTube videos for the science portion of the ACT but am looking for some math ideas. I think she will be fine on the English portion as she has excellent writing and grammar skills. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalmia Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 My husband moonlights as an SAT/ACT/GRE/LSAT coach and used to work for Kaplan and Peterson's test prep. He always recommends The Real ACT Prep Guide which is produced by ACT. It is the only one that has actual released ACT tests included. http://www.amazon.com/Real-ACT-3rd-Prep-Guide/dp/0768934400/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330103173&sr=8-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 The newest version (the one mentioned by Kalmia above) of the ACT prep guide has five tests. I would have her do the first one cold and see how she does. Timed, straight through, everything as "test-like" as you can make it at home. I would then take the next test and just have her do one section at a time. Still timed, but only one section. I would use the next two tests having her do two sections at a time. This builds stamina. I would save the last test for the Saturday before the actual test. Use it as you did the first one. Timed, etc. For each test she needs to review what she missed making sure that she thoroughly understands what she missed and why. Even though you are not worried about English, I would still do the prep. A great way to boost that sub-score and her overall composite. I wouldn't overdo it. I mean, if you see she is doing really well on English and needs more focus on another area, then, yes, shift your emphasis. No matter how comfortable she is in her grammar she needs to do some practicing if for no other reason than to get the pacing down. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 The Real ACT book does have old real tests, but it doesn't really offer anything in terms of strategy or concept learning. Middle son suggests McGraw Hill if you want math knowledge and Barrons if you want strategy. They go well with real tests as McGraw Hill's are on the "easy" side (a bad thing). Barrons are on the more difficult side (something my guys have preferred as it makes the real test seem easy). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in PA Posted March 2, 2012 Author Share Posted March 2, 2012 Thanks for the helpful advice. Yesterday we took a timed practice ACT test I had downloaded from the ACT website. She scored a composite of 23 taking it cold. Her English scored was very high (as I expected) but math needs some work. I was pleasantly surprised by the science score as it was better than I expected. We will be watching the YouTube videos for science prep and I ordered both the McGraw Hill for math knowledge and Barrons prep books. Luckily we found a test center not too far from our home that offers a test on June 9. Works out much better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 Luckily we found a test center not too far from our home that offers a test on June 9. Can I ask where this is? I might have my youngest do a June 9th test for a baseline. April and Oct are the only options I know of around here where my guys usually take the test. I'd love a June option if it's anywhere near reasonably close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in PA Posted March 2, 2012 Author Share Posted March 2, 2012 Can I ask where this is? I might have my youngest do a June 9th test for a baseline. April and Oct are the only options I know of around here where my guys usually take the test. I'd love a June option if it's anywhere near reasonably close. My dd is taking the test at Penn Manor high school in Millersville. If you live where I think it might be an hour's drive to the school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 My dd is taking the test at Penn Manor high school in Millersville. If you live where I think it might be an hour's drive to the school. That probably is an hour away - perhaps a little more. Maybe I should get on the ACT site and search to see if anything has changed from last year. I keep trying to get my school to offer the ACT, but with budget cuts and "tradition," I realistically have no shot at it. Most of our students don't know the ACT exists. Last year a whopping 15 took the test - all at the nearby Catholic school (April or Oct). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jibaker103 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 We will be watching the YouTube videos for science prep and I ordered both the McGraw Hill for math knowledge and Barrons prep books. Can you provide names and/or links to the science videos you will be studying? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan C. Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Would you mind asking your dd if she thinks the ACT is not as "crafty" as the SAT? Dd doesn't do well at all the second guessing you have to do w/SAT math.... She falls for their tricks, grrrrr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Can you provide names and/or links to the science videos you will be studying? Thanks! I'm assuming the ones mentioned here from SuperMagnetMan. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jibaker103 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 I'm assuming the ones mentioned here from SuperMagnetMan. Regards, Kareni Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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