|
Test Preparation Services (TPS)
Opprotunities for ACT classes in Ottawa-Gatineau area and description about self-studying ACT and taking the test in the local area.
Ottawa
Ontario |
TPS - ACT Free Practice and Tips
Many people complain that there are not as many free ACT resources as SAT. While this is true, you should not find it difficult to find resources on ACT
ACT and SAT are now much more closely aligned so practically any of the resources used to prepare for the SAT test will be good as well. You can visit our SAT site for resources but do so after exhausting the below resources.
ACT and SAT are now much more closely aligned so practically any of the resources used to prepare for the SAT test will be good as well. You can visit our SAT site for resources but do so after exhausting the below resources.
Textbooks
The trick is to check out your local libraries to see whether the below books are available. I will link them to local libraries in Ottawa but oif you are from elsewhere just plug these titles into your library search before you too quickly order them on Amazon, If they are not listed just ask the library to order a copy. Libraries are very good about getting a copy for you,
- The Official ACT Prep Guide (or the "Red Book") I will give the link to Amazon just so you can view it and because I could not track oit on the Ottawa Public Library search but I'm sure the library can order you a copy.
- Cracking the ACT Premium is the book I usually use with students. I just like its approach and practice tests and a 2016 version is available at an Ottawa Public Library so if it is already out put a hold on it.
- Barron's ACT book is full of practice questions that go a step higher in difficulty than the real test and how can that be a bad thing?
- McGraw Hill's ACT is lighter and easier to read although their practice tests are somewhat easier
Websites
- ACT has an official website that does give a downloadable preparation booklet with practice tests and also a 5 passage English section as well as a 5 passage reading section. There is also a section that provides 6 scored writing samples with a writing prompt.
- Varsity Tutors has a number of free Diagnostic and practice tests. Them quality of them is not as good as the official site but are reasonable and plentiful
- Crackact has a surprisingly massive number of practice tests that do resemble the ACT test in terms of quality and difficulty
- If you can stand a bot of promotion that goes with it, there is a section on Kaplan's Free ACT Events that is times for dates that you can get free practice tests and score review
YouTube Videos
Websites are often more reliable than YouTube videos. Please stay away from any of the gimmicky "Secrets to ACT" or "How to get a Perfect a Score" variety. Too many of these are on YouTube and can do more harm than good. The following list is mainly of videos that offer practice tests.
- Beyond the Test offers free practice tests questions 1-30 in the English Passage as well as videos on the science and math sections. The quality is better than others on YouTube.
- Textbook Tactics has a practice test from each section that could be useful.
- Super Tutor have many videos - most of them have pretty inflated titles but are actually quite mediocre so don't waste your time with them . However, there is one section quite useful. Ignore the videos about how to get a perfect score or secret tips and focus on a set they call ACT Explanations English
TIP #1 Reading Section: Purpose of Paragraph Questions
Main Purpose of Paragraph Questions are one of the 7 types of questions typically found on reading
Identifying the type of question is one of your very first important strategies because you should have a different reading strategy for each of these types of questions.
Read more on this tip and others at our ACT Blog
- Gist Question - The main idea or theme of the whole passage or paragraphs.
- Specific Detail Question- Extraction style question that can be found directly in the text
- Function Questions - Asks the purpose of phrases, sentences or paragraphs
- Vocabulary Questions- Asks meaning of words in context
- Organization Development Questions - Arrangement and structure of passage
- Inference questions. What is implied by phrases, sentnences and quotes
- Tone Questions- what is the author or narrator's tone (attitude and view)
Identifying the type of question is one of your very first important strategies because you should have a different reading strategy for each of these types of questions.
Read more on this tip and others at our ACT Blog