In 2008, more than 1.42 million high school students took the ACT—driven in large part by statewide testing requirements, acceptance of the ACT at all four-year schools, and an increasing number of test takers from states that did not previously offer the ACT. Kaplan ACT 2010 Edition: Strategies, Practice, and Review offers a variety of effective self-study options to help students score higher on this important exam.

A strong ACT score can help students get crucial financial aid and stand out from the competition during the college admissions process. With soaring tuition costs in an uncertain economy and competition to get into a top college greater than ever, scoring higher is crucial. Our guide contains proven tools to help raise ACT scores, including:

New reader-friendly design to appeal to high school students.

New tips for scoring higher from a Kaplan ACT tutor and student with a perfect ACT score.

New parents guide explaining how to help kids make the most of peer study for exam prep.

Three full-length practice tests.

One diagnostic quiz online.

Detailed answer explanations.

Coverage of all tested materials.

Welcome to Kaplan ACT: Strategies, Practice, and Review

Note for International Students

PART 1: ACT BASICS

Chapter 1: Introduction to the ACT

Four Keys to ACT Success

What Is the ACT?

Overview of the ACT

ACT FAQs

ACT Registration Overview

Taking the Plan Exam

Chapter 2: The Subject Tests: A Preview

English

Math

Reading

Science

Writing

Chapter 3: Taking Control: The Top Ten Strategies

The ACT Mind-set

Ten Strategies for Mastering the ACT

Basic Strategy Reference Sheet

PART TWO: SKILL-BUILDING WORKOUTS

Chapter 4. English Workout 1: When in Doubt, Take It Out

Economy Questions

The Kaplan Three-Step Method for ACT English

Chapter 5: Math Workout 1: The End Justifies the Means

The ACT Math Mind-set

The Kaplan Three-Step Method for ACT Math

Kaplan's Two-Pass Plan for ACT Math

To Calculate or Not to Calculate

Chapter 6: Reading Workout 1: Know Where You're Going.

The Key to Active ACT Reading

The Kaplan Five-Step Method for ACT Reading

Chapter 7: Science Workoiat 1: Look for Patterns

The Kaplan Five-Step Method for ACT Science

Reading Tables and Graphs

The Real Thing: Practice Passage

Chapter 8: English Workout 2: Make It Make Sense

Grammar Rules and Sense Questions

Nonstandard-Format English Questions

Chapter 9: Math Workout 2: Shake It Up!

Ten Textbook Algebra and Coordinate Geometry Questions

Three Ways to Shake It Up

Typical Story Problems

What to Do Next

Chapter 10: Reading Workout 2: Look It Up!

Important Question Types

The Kaplan Five-Step Method (Again)

Find and Paraphrase... and Other Tips

Chapter 11: Science Workout 2: Think Like a Scientist

How Scientists Think

How Experiments Work

Handling Experiment Questions

The Real Thing: Practice Passage

Chapter 12. English Workout 3: Look and Listen

Listen to the Choices.

Grammar Rules to Know

Chapter 13 Math Workout 3: Figuring It Out

Ten Textbook Geometry Questions

Tackling More Complex Geometry Questions

Chapter 14. Reading Workout 3: Subject Matters

The Prose Fiction Passage

The Natural Sciences Passage

Emergency Strategy for Test Day

Chapter 15: Science Workout 3: Keep Your Viewpoints Straight

Prereading the Conflicting Viewpoints Passage

The Real Thing: Practice Passage

The Deep End: Facing Tough Science Passages

Chapter 16: Writing Workout: Write What Counts

Just the Facts

The Kaplan Four-Step Method for the ACT Essay

Know the Score: Sample Essays

Preparing for the Essay

Practice Essay

PART THREE: READY, SET, GO

Chapter 17: Strategic Summaries

English Test

Math Test

Reading Test

Science Test

Writing Test

Chapter 18: Last-Minute Tips

Three Days before the Test

Two Days before the Test

The Day before the Test

The Morning of the Test

During the Test

After the Test

PART FOUR: PRACTICE TESTS AND EXPLANATIONS

Practice Test 1

Answer Key

Answers and Explanations

Practice Test 2

Answer Key

Answers and Explanations

Compute Your Score

100 Key Math Concepts for the ACT