act books

Princeton review is the only way to go

The princeton review one is really good- got my brother from a 26 to a 34.

I bought the traditional act test book for the practice tests and just watched free youtube videos and got my score from 33 to 35

"The Official ACT Prep Guide" is the best, the act book has test and includes 8 full-length official tests (online and print) and 400 flashcards. It's on amazon for $27.19

The princeton one

The Official ACT Prep Guide (by ACT, Inc.)

This is the most authoritative guide, as it’s written by the makers of the ACT. It includes real past test questions, test-taking strategies, and tips for each section.

Kaplan’s ACT Prep Plus

Kaplan is known for comprehensive prep materials. This book includes detailed content reviews, practice questions, and online resources.

The Princeton Review’s Cracking the ACT

This book offers strategies for answering different types of questions, along with practice tests and drills. It’s well-known for its engaging writing style and easy-to-understand explanations.

Barron’s ACT Study Guide

Barron’s is another respected name in test prep. Their ACT guide includes practice tests, a diagnostic test, and thorough reviews for all sections of the test.

Magoosh ACT Prep

This book is more focused on providing strategies for improving test scores, especially with an emphasis on time management and test-taking techniques.

For ACT prep, highly recommended books include The Official ACT Prep Guide by ACT, which offers real exam questions, and Barron's ACT Prep for in-depth strategies and practice tests. Kaplan’s ACT Prep is also a solid choice for structured lessons and expert tips. Many students find combining multiple resources helps reinforce their learning effectively.

The actual official ACT prep guides are pretty thorough. I have a few editions from several years, and the best part is that they have tests in them. Most of the information doesn't really change, but the examples do change for each year's book. Honestly, if you're looking for something straightforward and relevant, just grab one of those, doesn't matter the edition, but if you want to hardcore study, I'd get the one from this year.