ACT prep books and study guides for the ACT help students work efficiently and effectively. This is why the first step to preparing for the ACT is to find the best books for ACT prep. Not only will these books provide you with valuable insights, including key test-taking strategies, but they will also help you focus on your weaknesses while reinforcing your strengths.
In this article, we review the best books for ACT prep, while helping you decide which of these books is best suited to your needs.
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Which ACT Prep Book Should I Get?
If you’re wondering how to prepare for the ACT, refer to our 2023 Study Guide for ACT Prep. Next, you’ll want to decide which ACT prep book is most reflective of your needs.
Take a moment to reflect on your natural strengths and weaknesses, as well as any other goals you may have. You’ll also want to review the 2022-23 ACT Test Dates and schedule your test. After all, you need to know when your exam is in order to prepare for it properly!
While you review the best prep books for the ACT, remember, not all ACT prep books are the same. Each book will cover different material and offer different resources.
But don’t worry!
Whether you are looking for the best ACT prep book for math, the best ACT English prep book, or the best ACT prep book for high scorers, there’s an ACT prep book for you!
If after reading this, you decide the SAT is the better test for you, check out the best SAT prep books here.
ACT Study Resources (Choose Your Path)
Preparing for the ACT can feel overwhelming. This is why it’s important to select your study materials with care.
In this section, we will review some of the best ACT prep books, as well as offer practical advice in terms of book selection.
So, what are the best ACT prep books?
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Best Introductory ACT Prep Books
These three ACT prep books are ideal for students looking for high quality resources that offer a little bit of everything.
Unlike specialized ACT prep books, these three ACT prep books offer thorough reviews for each of the five sections of the ACT.
- The Official ACT Prep Guide 2023-2024
- The Princeton Review ACT Premium Prep, 2023
- 5 lb. Book of ACT Practice Problems
The Official ACT Prep Guide 2023-2024
The Official ACT Prep Guide 2023-2024 offers a comprehensive, up-to-date guide for students.
The best part? It’s created by the actual makers of the ACT!
This ACT prep book includes seven full-length practice exams (along with the optional writing test), over 400 online flashcards, test-taking tips and strategies for each section of the exam, and more. Overall, this ACT prep book is a great choice for any student looking for a high quality resource that includes a little bit of everything.
The Princeton Review ACT Premium Prep, 2023
The Princeton Review ACT Premium Prep, 2023 offers a great blend of written and online resources.
It includes eight full-length practice exams, four of which are available online and offer instant score reports. Students also have access to video tutorials and customized multi-week study plans.
This comprehensive ACT prep book also offers practical test-taking tips and strategies, as well as a thorough content overview for each of the five ACT sections. Another great resource for students looking for holistic ACT test preparation materials.
5 lb. Book of ACT Practice Problems
Manhattan Prep’s 5 lb. Book of ACT Practice Problems is one of the best books for ACT prep.
The book includes over 1,800 practice problems, written in the same style as the ACT, that cover each of the five sections of the exam. There is also a diagnostic test, as well as access to additional online resources.
This is a great resource for students who want to gain practical experience by familiarizing themselves with ACT question formats.
Best ACT English Books
These two ACT prep books are ideal for students studying for the English and Reading sections of the ACT who want to focus on their language and critical reading skills.
- Top 50 ACT English, Reading, and Science Skills, Third Edition
- English and Reading Workout for the ACT, 4th Edition
Top 50 ACT English, Reading, and Science Skills, Third Edition
Top 50 ACT English, Reading, and Science Skills is ideal for students focused on strengthening their language and critical reading skills.
The book includes two practice exams, including a pretest, meant to identify your weaknesses before you get started, as well as two additional online exams.
This ACT prep book reviews 50 key language-related concepts and breaks them down into easy-to-follow visuals. A great tool for students focusing on their language and critical reading skills.
English and Reading Workout for the ACT, 4th Edition
The Princeton Review’s English and Reading Workout for the ACT, 4th Edition is one of the best ACT prep books for English.
This book offers specialized support for students preparing for the English and Reading sections of the ACT. In addition to three English practice exams and four Reading practice exams, this book offers a comprehensive grammar review, as well as a 4-step basic approach to unpacking complex sentence structures and punctuation.
Overall, this is a great resource for students who want to focus on the English and Reading sections of the ACT.
Best ACT Math Books
These three ACT prep books are ideal for students intent on strengthening their quantitative reasoning skills.
- Top 50 ACT Math Skills, Third Edition
- The College Panda’s ACT Math Workbook: More Advanced Practice By Topic
- Math and Science Workout for the ACT, 4th Edition
Top 50 ACT Math Skills, Third Edition
Top 50 ACT Math Skills is ideal for students focusing on the math section of the ACT.
The book includes two practice exams, including a pretest, meant to identify your weaknesses before you get started, as well as two additional online exams.
This specialized ACT math guide reviews 50 key mathematical concepts and breaks them down into easy-to-follow visuals and diagrams. A great tool for students focusing on the math section of the ACT.
Top 50 ACT Math Skills, Third Edition
The College Panda’s ACT Math Workbook: More Advanced Practice By Topic is a comprehensive ACT math practice book with over 400 practice problems, grouped conveniently by topic.
Thorough explanations are provided for each practice problem, making this one of the best ACT math books. Ideal for students focused on improving their Math skills for the ACT.
Math and Science Workout for the ACT, 4th Edition: Extra Practice for an Excellent Score
The Princeton Review’s Math and Science Workout for the ACT, 4th Edition is ideal for students looking to strengthen their quantitative reasoning skills.
This book reviews key algebra, geometry, and science concepts and includes three full-length practice exams, two for Math and one for Science.
One of the most comprehensive ACT math books on the market, this ACT prep book is a great resource for students focused on improving their quantitative reasoning skills.
Best Books For High Scorers
These two ACT prep books are ideal for advanced students looking for the most rigorous and challenging practice problems. Students who select these books are eager to achieve perfect scores.
- Advanced Prep: ACT English: Very Challenging Problems For Those Targeting Perfect Scores
- Princeton Review’s ACT Elite 36
Advanced Prep: ACT English: Very Challenging Problems for Those Targeting Perfect Scores
This ACT prep book is ideal for advanced students aiming for perfect scores.
Students interested in using this book should already have an advanced mastery of grammatical concepts.
The purpose of this book is to provide students with the most advanced English practice questions available to them.
Princeton Review’s ACT Elite 36
The Princeton Review’s ACT Elite 36 is one of the best books for high scorers.
This ACT prep book includes over 400 intensive practice problems and reviews key test-taking strategies.
Ideal for advanced students looking to review all five sections of the ACT.
Free ACT Practice Tests
There are lots of free ACT study materials available to students, including full-length practice exams.
Printable ACT Tests
Print out the following ACT practice exam for additional study materials:
The official ACT Prep guide from the makers of the ACT.
What’s Inside:
- Full-length practice ACT test, including the optional writing test
- Information about the multiple-choice and writing sections
- Test-taking strategies
- What to expect on test day
Online ACT Tests
The following ACT practice exams are available online. Click on each of the links below for additional study materials:
Online ACT Study Tools
Another great ACT study tool is Achievable, an online ACT prep platform that prioritizes student convenience and accessibility.
Each course subscription includes an online textbook, practice questions, and a personalized study planner.
The platform is user-friendly and the course material is concise and easy-to-read. A great supplemental resource for students intent on making the most of their time studying.
The Advantages of Using the Best Prep Books for ACT
In order to get the most out of your time studying for the ACT, be sure to select your study materials with thought and care. After all, each ACT prep book has a different focus and offers different tools, insights, and resources. Some ACT prep books focus on test-taking strategies and pedagogy, while other ACT prep books are focused on providing plenty of full-length practice exams.
Some ACT prep books are specialized, whereas others are more generalized. In short, there’s an ACT prep book out there for everyone. Schedule your exam, select your study materials with care, find out When To Expect Your ACT Score, and work hard to meet your ACT goals!
Ace your ACT with a free, live-online proctored practice test
Ready to conquer the ACT and show the world what you’re made of? If so, we have great news… Powerful Prep is thrilled to offer a free proctored ACT exam every first Saturday of the month.
Whether you’re a first-time test-taker or looking to improve your score, this ACT practice test is an excellent opportunity to gain confidence and experience before the big day.
- Assess your skills and pinpoint areas that need work
- Get one step closer to your dream ACT score
The tests will be proctored live, via Zoom by Powerful Prep’s, Mary Johnson.
Sign up today for the next test date to keep your ACT prep on track by clicking the next date on the calendar or click here for more details.