Testbuster for the ACT With ACT Writing Test: REA: The Test Prep Teachers Recommend, Testware Edition, Green Edition

by Brass, Charles O.; Coffield, Suzanne; Conklin, Joseph T.; Davis, Anita Price; Fayache, slim, Ph.D.

• ISBN13: 9780738609218
• ISBN10: 0738609218
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-03-11
• Publisher: Research & Education Assn

Summary

Outsmart the ACT with REA#x19;sACT TestBuster!Updated 4th Edition!This fourth edition of our popular test prep isthe best way forhigh schoolJuniors and Seniorsto prepare for the ACT and raise their test scores!Students at all learning levels will benefit from this unique college entrance test prep.Our TestBuster is great for high school students who need extra help and review before the exam.Each subject review focuses on the content of the ACT, explains the English, math, reading, and science concepts tested on the ACT, and offers #x1C;TestBuster#x1D; pointers on how to solve questions and #x1C;beat#x1D; the exam. Numerous examples and drills in each section help reinforce what you have learned. The book includesthree full-length practice tests that replicate the ACT#x19;s question format,allowing you to assess your skills and gauge your test-readiness.Two of the book#x19;s tests are featured on our TestWare CD in a timed format with the most powerful scoring and diagnostic tools available today.REA#x19;s automatic scoring and instant reports help you zero in on the topics and types of questions that give you trouble now, so you#x19;ll succeed when it counts! Each practice tests comes with detailed explanations of answer that help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. We don#x19;t just say which answers are right #xE2;#xAC;#x1C; we also explain why the other answer choices are incorrect #xE2;#xAC;#x1C; so you#x19;ll be prepared for the ACT. The book also includes study tips, strategies, and confidence-boosting advice you need for test day.REA#x19;sACT TestBusteris a must for any high school student taking the ACT!

Excerpts

FOREWORD

Welcome to REA’sTestBuster for the ACT! Preparing to take
the ACT is an important step toward getting admitted into college and this
test prep will help you reach your goal. REA’sTestBuster for the ACToffers
all the strategies, techniques, and tips you need to get an excellent score
on the ACT. If you follow the strategies in this test prep, you can do better
on the ACT than you ever thought possible.

REA’sTestBuster for the ACTprovides you with the complete
package you need to score your personal best. There are two full-length,
timed practice tests for the ACT on the TestWare® CD that accompanies
this book. These interactive tests, along with the paper-and-pencil practice
test in the book, provide you with the right amount of simulated tests
under actual testing conditions.

This test prep tells you everything you need to know about
busting the ACT. The more you know, the less stressful taking the test
will be. After all, you’ve already learned all the material the ACT tests . . .
we’ll just help you remember it—and you might have a little fun in the
process.

Good luck on the ACT.

 

 

INTRODUCTION
REA’sTestBuster for the ACTwill help you remember what
you’ve learned and think you’ve forgotten. It also shows you specific test-taking
strategies that can help you get a high score on the ACT. Keep in
mind, this test prep is designed just for you. You can use it as a comprehensive
review reading it straight through, chapter by chapter, or you can
develop your own customized study plan (more about that later).

About This Book with TestWare®
The ACT is a timed multiple-choice test that covers English,
Reading, Math, and Science skills. Colleges and universities use your
ACT score as only one part of the admissions process. It is still important
that you get a good score, however, because a higher score helps your
chances of getting into the college you want. This book is divided into
eight TestBusting chapters:

Chapter 1: Introducing REA’s TestBuster for the ACT—
discusses what the ACT is, how to register for the test, and how to study
(using this book, of course).

Chapter 2: The Most Important Strategies for Beating the
ACT—gives you test-busting strategies that you’ll use throughout the book.

Chapter 3: ACT Practice Test—helps you figure out what
your strengths and weaknesses are. The timed tests on CD come with
automatic scoring, detailed answer explanations, and diagnostic feedback.

Chapter 4: Attacking the ACT English Test—gives you the
strategies and techniques you need to answer each question type. The
English Test drills will help you hone your skills.

Chapter 5: Attacking the ACT Mathematics Test—guides
you through math basics with a refresher in the five skill areas tested:
pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra and coordinate
geometry, plane geometry, and a little trigonometry.

Chapter 6: Attacking the ACT Reading Test—helps you distinguish
between questions that refer to explicit statements in the passages
and those that require you to use your reasoning skills to determine
the implicit meanings in the passages . . . with plenty of practice drills.

Chapter 7: Attacking the ACT Science Reasoning Test—
provides you with strategies to remember the skills you used in your natural
sciences classes. You’ll use those skills to answer questions related to
data representation (graphs, tables), experiment summaries, and hypotheses
that represent conflcting viewpoints.

Chapter 8: Attacking the ACT Writing Test—is a review
section that guides you through a description of the Writing Test, offers
important writing strategies, and includes an essay-writing review, plus
sample essays. Although the Writing Test is optional, it might be a good
idea to take it, anyway. Ask you guidance counselor . . . he or she will know.

TestWare CD:the CD bound with this book contains two
full-length practice tests, timed and automatically scored. You can put
to use all of the TestBuster tips as you work through these practice tests.

 

General Test-Taking Strategies
Taking the ACT does not have to cause you anxiety. While
it’s true that the outcome of the test affects your college admissions goal,
there may be question types that you haven’t come across before, and the
test is, after all, timed. But don’t worry. One of the things you have control
over is how to approach the test. Pacing is extremely important.

The Importance of Pacing
Pacing is the best thing you can do to improve your score.
The ACT is nearly 3 hours long. You’ll need to focus your energy where you
will earn points and not waste your time struggling with questions that
you’re likely to get incorrect. Pacing is how you move through each section
of the test. In other words, it’s how many questions you answer, how much
time you spend on each question, when and how you guess, and how
much time you leave to check your work.

On the ACT, questions usually fall into the following categories:

• Questions you know. These you answer and move on.

• Questions you don’t know. If you have no idea how to answer a
question, what the answer choices mean, or how to guess the
answer, skip it and go to the next question.

• Questions you aren’t really sure about. With these, it’s likely you
can eliminate choices on the questions you might be able to
answer. If you eliminate 2 or 3 of the answer choices, you can
guess from what’s left and go on. With the passages on the English
Test, it makes sense to try the shorter passages first. Next,
try the long passages and answer the easier questions first. Make
sure you note which questions you skip.

“TWO-PASS” METHOD
The two-pass method is what we call going through a
section twice. On the first pass, you answer all of the questions that aren’t
difficult. If you spend a minute on a question, and you can’t come up with
an answer, mark it for later and move on. It makes sense to look for the
easier questions before you spend too much time on the difficult ones. On
the second pass, go back to the more difficult questions that gave you a
hard time. If you take more than a couple of minutes and still don’t know
the answer, then guess and move on.

PROCESS OF ELIMINATION
The strategy of the process of elimination is that you can
eliminate the answer choices you know are wrong and then guess from
the choices that are left. This is not new to you. More than likely it’s the
test-taking strategy you’re most comfortable with.

 

 

About REA’s TestWare®  for the ACT
Just by buying this book, you are one step closer to busting
the ACT. Our exclusive TestWare software will give you a further advantage
on the test. The software provides you with two complete exams
under actual exam conditions, with controlled timing and question order.
It automatically scores your test, evaluates your performance and
provides you with analysis.

 

Note: The last line of some explanations in
the software may show a page reference for review. Please ignore this
page reference. The TestWare includes the following features:

• A quick, on-screen tutorial to get you started right away.

• Superior on-screen text quality. Our graphics and mathematical
symbols are sharp and clear, and reading passages are easy to
read and scroll through.

• A “pause” button to allow you to use your study time efficiently.

• The option to suspend the test and resume it at any time.

• A display of items which highlights their answered or unanswered
status, and allows you to mark questions for later review.

• The ability to display multiple windows simultaneously, allowing
you to view a list of questions, exam directions, questions, and
explanations while testing.

• Technical support via phone, fax, or the Internet.

REA’s TestWare is extremely user-friendly, easy to install,
easy to learn and use, and exceptionally helpful in preparing for the ACT
Assessment.