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    Stress-Free ACT: A Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide to ACT Preparation
    Stress-Free ACT: A Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide to ACT Preparation
    Stress-Free ACT: A Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide to ACT Preparation
    Ebook400 pages4 hours

    Stress-Free ACT: A Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide to ACT Preparation

    By The Princeton Review

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    About this ebook

    8 STEPS TO ACT SUCCESS! Stress-Free ACT is a simplified, user-friendly beginner's guide to this crucial college admission test. It walks readers painlessly through the major touchpoints of their ACT journey, from getting familiar with the test, to setting a target score and figuring out how to achieve it. 

    Worried about applying to college and have many questions about the ACT? The Princeton Review is here to help! Stress-Free ACT is your go-to orientation for everything you need to know about this test. With eight easy-to-manage steps, this book guides you through the early stages of ACT prep and your college admissions journey, anxiety-free. Inside, you'll:

    · Learn strategies to ace all five sections of the test (English, Math, Reading, Science, and the optional Writing section)
    · Discover how to research schools and plan out your testing goals
    · Take a mini practice ACT in the book and access a full-length practice ACT online

    The ACT can be intimidating, but don’t worry—this book will set you on the path to success. You might even wonder later what you were so anxious about!
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRandom House Children's Books
    Release dateJul 13, 2021
    ISBN9780525571896
    Stress-Free ACT: A Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide to ACT Preparation

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      Stress-Free ACT - The Princeton Review

      Cover for Stress-Free ACTBook title, Stress-Free ACT, subtitle, A Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide to ACT Preparation, author, The Princeton Review, imprint, Princeton ReviewThe Princeton Review

      EDITORIAL

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      The Princeton Review

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      Copyright © 2021 by TPR Education IP Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved.

      Published in the United States by Penguin Random House LLC, New York, and in Canada by Random House of Canada, a division of Penguin Random House Ltd., Toronto.

      Terms of Service: The Princeton Review Online Companion Tools (Student Tools) for retail books are available for only the two most recent editions of that book. Student Tools may be activated only once per eligible book purchased for a total of 24 months of access. Activation of Student Tools more than once per book is in direct violation of these Terms of Service and may result in discontinuation of access to Student Tools Services.

      ISBN 9780525571513

      Ebook ISBN 9780525571896

      ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this product.

      The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University.

      Permission has been granted to reprint portions of the following:

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      Editor: Orion McBean

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      Acknowledgments

      Special thanks to Sara Kuperstein, Amy Minster, Cynthia Ward, and Cat Healey for their expert review and contributions to the content of this book.

      Thanks also to Anne Goldberg-Baldwin, Aleksei Alferiev, Emily Baumbach, Gabby Budzon, Nicole Cosme, Stacey Cowap, Elizabeth Evangelista, Spencer LeDoux, Jomil London, Scott O’Neal, Danielle Perrini, Sara Soriano, Benjamin Tallon, Jess Thomas, and Jimmy Williams for their contributions to this book.

      The Princeton Review would also like to thank Jason Ullmeyer, Kathy Carter, and Sarah Litt for their time and attention to each page.

      Special thanks to Adam Robinson, who conceived of and perfected the Joe Bloggs approach to standardized tests, and many other techniques in this book.

      Contents

      Get More (Free) Content

      Introduction

      STEP 1: Research Schools

      STEP 2: Take a Practice Test

      Mini Practice Test

      Mini Practice Test: Answers and Explanations

      STEP 3: Determine Your Goals

      STEP 4: Make Your Goals Specific

      STEP 5: Make a Plan

      STEP 6: Learn Big Picture Strategies

      STEP 7: Learn Section-Level Strategies

      ACT English

      ACT Math

      ACT Reading

      ACT Science

      ACT Writing

      STEP 8: Next Steps

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      Get our take on any recent or pending updates to the ACT

      Take a full-length practice ACT

      Get valuable advice about the college application process, including tips for writing a great essay and where to apply for financial aid

      If you’re still choosing between colleges, use our searchable rankings of The Best 387 Colleges to find out more information about your dream school.

      INTRODUCTION

      What is the ACT? Do I need to take it? How do I sign up? How long is the test? WHAT AM I GOING TO DO???

      If the above freak-out sounds familiar, relax! We’re here to help. You probably have a lot of questions about the ACT, most or all of which are answered in this book. The ACT can be an intimidating test, and there’s a lot to know about it, but let’s take it one step at a time. This book will help you break your ACT prep into eight easy-to-manage steps and put it into the context of your own personal college application journey. Let’s start with the most basic question:

      Do I need to take the ACT, and what is it for?

      The ACT and the SAT are two different tests used to determine admission to colleges and universities in the United States (and some schools internationally). These days, any school that requires a standardized test will allow you to take either the SAT or the ACT, so which one you take comes down to your preference. Since you’ve picked up this book, we’ll assume that you have chosen the ACT. That being said, if you take a practice test and find you really hate the ACT, consider trying a practice SAT to see whether you like the SAT any better.

      Although not all schools require you to take the SAT or ACT, enough of them do. Therefore, if you are planning to apply to college, you will most likely need to take one of them. Even when schools do not require one of these tests, a great ACT score can still help you get in and earn scholarships.

      If you decide to switch to the SAT, check out Stress-Free SAT or SAT Prep.

      What does the ACT mean for me?

      An ACT score in and of itself is meaningless. It isn’t an indication of your intelligence, your worth as a human being, or even your academic skills. If you don’t score as high as you’d like on the ACT, it does not mean that you aren’t smart or capable. The ACT tests one thing: your ability to take the ACT. If you are very good at the skills that are tested on the ACT, then you will do very well on the test. If you haven’t yet mastered the ACT skills, you may have trouble with the test, even if you have great academic skills. Let’s take a look at some of the items that are tested on the ACT and some that are not.

      Look again at what is tested on the ACT. Are those the same things you learned in school? Unless you went to ACT school (then why are you reading this book?), the answer is NO! That’s why you shouldn’t compare the ACT to how well you do in school. You’ve learned much more in school than what is tested on the ACT, and some of the skills you need for the ACT simply aren’t taught in school at all.

      So, what are you to do? Learn the skills you need for the ACT. It all starts with a change to your mindset. We aren’t going to teach you everything there is to know about writing, math, literature, and science. To get a great ACT score, you only need to master the topics that actually appear on the test and the strategies needed to approach them.

      What is a great ACT score?

      Well, it all depends on where you plan to apply to college. A great score at one school might not be a great score at another school. There is no such thing as a passing score on the ACT, but there is such thing as an average score. For example, the incoming freshman class at every college has an average ACT score that you can use to determine how your own ACT score compares. We’ll go into the ACT structure and scoring in Step 3. For now, just keep in mind that the ACT is scored from 4 to 36, and the main score is an average of four multiple-choice sections. For reference, the national average ACT score is about 21.

      With that said, let’s get begin with Step 1, Researching Schools. As we said above, you’ll need to compare your starting ACT score with the score you need for the schools you personally plan to apply to. So, how do you figure out what score you need? Read on to find out!

      STEP 1: Research Schools

      Throughout your ACT prep, remember your ultimate goal: to gain admission into the college of your choice. Every student needs a target score to aim for, but it’s impossible to know what you are aiming for until you find out what score you need for the schools you plan to apply to.

      Let’s start by understanding why people go to college. There are several different degrees you can earn at a college or university. The first type of degree, after a high school diploma, is an Associate’s degree, which typically takes two years of full-time study to earn, often at a community college or technical school. Some jobs that may require only an Associate’s degree are physical therapist assistant, dental hygienist, paralegal, and veterinary technician. The next type of degree is a four-year Bachelor’s degree, which is most often referred to as a college diploma. You don’t need to earn an Associate’s degree first in order to earn a Bachelor’s degree, although some four-year programs will award you one after the first two years. After earning a Bachelor’s degree, you may choose to attend graduate school if you are pursuing a career that requires an advanced degree, such as a Master’s degree or a Ph.D.

      In addition to the different types of degrees, there are also different types of higher education institutions.

      Community College/Junior College

      These schools are generally open to everyone. They are often the least expensive college option, especially if you’re a local resident. Some offer Bachelor’s degrees, and all offer Associate’s degrees. You don’t need an ACT or a SAT score to get in, but your standardized test score can help with placement into higher-level courses.

      Technical/Trade/Vocational School

      These schools are designed to prepare you for a job in a certain field. Instead of a degree, students typically earn a certificate in a trade (such as cosmetology or emergency medical response). Programs focus students’ time on the skills they need for a future career in their chosen trade. Like community colleges, most are open enrollment, so test scores generally aren’t required.

      College

      In the U.S., the word college is commonly used for just about any level of study after high school. When College is part of the name of a school, though, it generally means that the school is smaller than a university, has more limited courses, and offers Bachelor’s degrees but not many graduate degrees. A liberal arts college allows or requires students to study a wide variety of subjects, not just one. Most colleges require ACT or SAT scores.

      University

      A university is typically a larger school, and it may contain multiple colleges (such as the College of Engineering or the College of Medicine). Universities typically offer graduate programs in addition to Bachelor’s, and sometimes Associate’s, degrees. These schools offer the broadest range of classes and generally require ACT or SAT scores.

      Public? Private? For-profit?
      Public colleges and universities are partially funded by states, so they tend to be less expensive, especially if you live in that state. Private schools are more expensive but may offer more services to students, and their costs typically don’t vary based on where you are from. For-profit institutions are run like businesses. This does not necessarily mean they can’t provide a quality education, but not all are accredited, which means they may not be able to offer you a real degree for your money. Check to make sure any institution you’re interested in is accredited to offer the degree you’re seeking.

      As you can see, if you want to go to trade school or a community college, you can stop here because you won’t need to worry about the ACT. If you plan to apply to a four-year college or university, however, let’s take a look at how to research which ones to apply to.

      One great way to save money is to attend a local community or junior college for two years and take the general required courses such as English and Math. Then, transfer to a college or university for classes in your desired major to earn your Bachelor’s degree. Speak with a counselor first to ensure that your credits will transfer.

      Start by considering what you are looking for in a college. For instance, do you want to attend a school near where you currently live or in a different state or region? What career do you hope to pursue, and what kind of degree is required? How much can you afford to pay for college?

      You may have an idea about some things you are looking for and not others. That’s okay! For example, it’s completely fine if you’re not sure yet what you would like to study in college. Here are a few ways to find information about schools that might be a good fit.

      Both the Princeton Review https://www.princetonreview.com/college-search and the College Board bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search have College Search tools on their websites that allow you to identify the criteria you’re looking for. Then you’ll be shown profiles of schools that match your preferences.

      The Best 387 Colleges is a Princeton Review book with college profiles and rankings by category, including quotes from actual students.

      Talk to a college counselor. If you have a school counselor, schedule a meeting to discuss schools that might be a good fit for you. You can also find a private college counselor at the Princeton Review here: https://www.princetonreview.com/college-admissions/college-counseling

      What’s the best college?

      You will often see lists that claim to broadly rank colleges against each other, but these lists don’t mean much. Every college has its pros and cons. Generally, the colleges that are considered to be the strongest academically naturally tend to be the most selective schools (those that accept the lowest percentage of applicants). However, you should never compare one school to another based on an arbitrary ranking. One school could be superior in one program, while another could have a different program that is stronger. Above all, what matters is whether the school is a good fit for you. The fact that someone might tell you, This is the best school! does not mean it is the best school for you. For instance, if you hate sports, a school where most students love to participate in athletic events is probably not going to be the best fit, no matter how great its academics are. Likewise, if you are hoping to join a fraternity or sorority, a school that doesn’t offer those organizations isn’t for you.

      What should I look for when I view college profiles?

      Start to think about your personality and learning style as well as what you hope to do while in college. Here are just some considerations:

      What programs does the school offer?

      Where is it located, and what is the town or city like?

      How much does it cost? How much financial aid is offered?

      What do students do for fun—sports, Greek life, arts events, parties, student organizations?

      Do most students live on campus or in off-campus apartments? Do many students commute from home?

      How big is the school? How big are classes?

      What is the typical student like? Would I fit in?

      If you like what you see from the college profile, there are lots of ways to get more information. Here are a few:

      Look at the information provided on the school’s website.

      Request a brochure or other information to be sent to you through the mail.

      Check out the school’s social media pages.

      Read blogs or forums written by students.

      Reach out to someone you may know who attends the school.

      Check the admissions office’s website for events near you.

      Schedule a campus visit.

      Should I visit campus, and if so, what should I look for?

      You may be surprised to hear that visiting campus isn’t just about seeing what the buildings look like. After all, you can get that from a brochure! If possible, it’s best to visit when school is in session rather than during spring or summer break. This will give you a better idea of what the campus is actually like for students.

      During your visit, try to determine how you would fit in on campus. In addition to tours, some colleges offer overnights with students or opportunities to sit in on classes. Those are great ways to get a sense of what the students are like and how the school fits with your preferences. Are students socializing and having fun, or are they keeping to themselves? Do they seem passionate about academics, or are they more focused on extracurricular activities? Try to get a feel for the campus community, since that is what you’ll be surrounded by as a student. A campus visit can also be a good opportunity to introduce yourself to the admissions office if you are strongly interested in the school—consider signing up for an interview.

      The College Application Process

      We’ve established that ACT scores are one component of your college applications, but luckily, they are far from the only thing colleges look at. Let’s take a look at the typical parts of a college application.

      The #1 thing you should know about applying to college is that every school is different. Unfortunately, we can’t provide detailed universal advice because each school has its own admissions requirements. Use the following information as a general guideline, but be sure to check the admissions website for each individual school to see what is required.

      Application

      It might seem obvious, but all colleges have some sort of application you need to fill out with information such as your name, address, high school, parent and sibling information, and extracurricular activities. Many colleges these days use what’s called the Common Application, which is a website that allows you to fill out your information one time and have it sent to any participating colleges you apply to. The Common App is typically available to applicants on August 1, so you’ll have plenty of time to gather your information and work on it. Most likely, you’ll need to sit down with a parent or guardian since you’ll need some information from them. For schools that don’t use the Common App, the admissions website will provide information on how to access the application.

      High school transcript

      Your transcript is an official document from your high school that is like a report card for your entire high school career. It shows all of the classes you took and your final grade in each one. It may also include your grade point average (GPA) and class ranking. To make arrangements for submitting your transcript, you will generally contact your school counselor or college counselor and let that person know which colleges you are applying to. Your school will then send the transcripts either electronically or by mail to the colleges. Alternatively, the school might provide a sealed transcript in an envelope for you to send yourself. Either way, you most likely won’t see the actual transcript.

      If you are homeschooled, go to high school outside the United States, or attend a school without traditional classes and grades, check each college’s admissions website to see what it says about those special circumstances. If you can’t find the information you need, just call or email the

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