Up Your Score: ACT, 2014-2015 Edition: The Underground Guide

by Chris Arp, Ava Chen, Jon Fish

Yes, kids, there is an alternative to the big, bad SAT―it’s called the ACT. And yes, there’s now an alternative to the big, bad, boring ACT study Up Your ACT, the prep and survival guide with attitude.
Like Up Your SAT, Up Your ACT is the underground guide for the 1.65 million kids who take the ACT every year (more than take the SAT). It’s written by Chris Arp, age 26, a Princeton graduate, along with his colleagues at Manhattan’s prestigious Veritas Test Prep company and three high school seniors who each scored an ACT-perfect 36. They take the guerrilla guide Up Your Score approach of combining a thorough knowledge of how the test works and the subjects it covers with for-student, by-student tips and strategies; lively pop culture references and jokes; and a fresh knowledge of what it’s like to actually take the test.
Ace the reading section by developing the Five Habits of Lean Forward Reading, including Treat reading like a conversation and Pay attention to direction words. Master the math section through techniques like “plugging in,” an amazing trick that simplifies all algebra word problems. The ACT is heavy on grammar, so the book delves into commas, semicolons, pronouns, transitions, and more. It covers the science the way the test does―showing how to use science reasoning. Plus―how to make GameFace Quintuple Sugar Blast Bars for that needed burst of energy.

Genres: Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published July 30, 2013

Reviews

[Beanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful alternative to other ACT prep guides if you have trouble focusing on serious texts. There is so much humor on every page that sometimes you don't even realize that you're learning. I still used other books to help me study (the humor gets a bit too much at times if you ever want just cold, hard facts to memorize) but overall this was a great study tool. I would recommend it to anyone prepping to take the ACT, whether it's your first time taking the test or a retake.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this ACT book for learning new things. I don't like all the extra words and that's why it only got 4 stars, but this is the book I will use when I need to help someone prep for the ACT. I didn't read the whole thing (disclaimer), but the parts I used were very helpful - in particular the math section.

[Savannah Burley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful alternative to ACT prep guides or tutors. Ts saved me through the college application process

[Veronica]

Dear future me,

Ok, so why did I add this book again? Oh right! Because I chose to read 70 books on my final IB year. Great job, Veronica. Oh well, I actually kind of enjoyed it anyway. It was really funny. I really don't know what else to say, it's a book that shows you how to do well on the ACT, what's there left to say? I'm not even going to rate it.

Be smarter next time,
Present me.