ACT Prep - Comprehensive ACT Study Guide and Practice

In this review of ACT Prep by Jeff Kolby, the book is recommended for motivated students who want a rigorous, self-paced alternative to costly classroom courses. It condenses what a typical two-month, 50-hour prep class covers into a single volume, with an emphasis on training you to think like an ACT test writer. The bottom line: this is a study-first resource that rewards hard work and analytical practice rather than quick tricks, and it is best for students willing to put in sustained effort to improve scores.

Key Features

• Comprehensive math review: Twenty-seven chapters provide a thorough walk-through of ACT math topics so students can close content gaps.
• Course-equivalent coverage: The book offers the equivalent of a two-month, 50-hour prep course to replace or supplement classroom instruction.
• Test-writer perspective: Many exercises are designed to prompt you to think like the person who writes ACT questions, improving strategic understanding.
• Duals in math practice: Paired problems highlight subtle property changes so readers learn how small edits alter question intent and difficulty.
• Reading strategy focus: The reading material trains students to spot place and structure, helping comprehension under time pressure.

Who It's For

This book is ideal for high school students aiming to prepare for the ACT without paying for an expensive live course, particularly those who learn well from structured written exercises and who can maintain a study schedule. It suits students who want deep practice and to develop analytical habits rather than quick mnemonic tips.

Students looking for a gentle, hand-holding tutor or a workbook with only shallow drills should look elsewhere; this text expects effort and deliberate practice and is not a substitute for one-on-one tutoring for very specific learning differences.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Comprehensive coverage mirrors a 50-hour course, so it can replace costly live prep for disciplined learners.
• Exercises that train you to think like an ACT test writer give insight into how questions are constructed.
• Detailed math chapters and Duals help students notice subtle differences that affect answers.

Cons

• Contains few guided hand-holding features; students who need interactive feedback may find it limiting.

Specifications

Title	ACT Prep
Author	Jeff Kolby
Course equivalent	Two-month, 50-hour prep
Math content	Twenty-seven chapters
Focus	Train reader to think like an ACT test writer
Primary use	Self-study test preparation

Our Verdict

ACT Prep is a solid value for driven students who want the depth of a lengthy course in book form; its emphasis on analytical thinking and test-writer exercises makes it particularly useful for those targeting steady score gains through disciplined study.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book a full replacement for a prep course?
For motivated self-studiers it can replace a two-month, 50-hour class, but students who need live feedback may prefer classroom options.

How much math content does it include?
The book offers twenty-seven chapters of math review, including paired Duals to highlight subtle differences in problems.

Does it teach test-taking tricks?
The emphasis is on analytical thinking and learning to think like an ACT test writer rather than on quick mnemonic tricks.