Maximizing the ACT

Most Texas families default to the SAT without ever asking if it's the right test. For many students, the ACT is the smarter choice: more predictable, available in a dependable paper format, and built around three separate section scores that students can Superscore across multiple test dates. Every college that accepts the SAT also accepts the ACT. And for homeschoolers and students from unaccredited schools, one strong ACT score can unlock automatic admission to Texas public universities.

Maximizing the ACT is the guide author Mark Spencer Palmer wishes his family had when they started the prep process. Palmer, a Rice University graduate, earned a 36 ACT Superscore across multiple test dates, and his son scored a 35. Along the way, he learned what actually improves an ACT score and what doesn't. This book distills that experience into a practical, Texas-specific playbook for parents and students.

Inside, you'll learn:

• Why the ACT beats the SAT for many students, and where the PSAT and CLT fit in
• What's actually on the ACT and how scoring really works
• The specific scores that open real scholarship money, in Texas and out of state
• How Texas automatic admission really works and what score actually matters
• Which prep materials are worth buying and which to skip
• Which optional sections most students should skip
• Common registration mistakes that waste families' time and money
• A week-before and test-day walkthrough, start to finish
• How to build a personal testing plan, including a month-by-month calendar for choosing test dates

The book closes with section-by-section appendices covering the highest-value tips for ACT English, Math, and Reading.

Your student doesn't need one perfect test day to get a competitive score. Real progress comes section by section, with a plan built around their individual needs instead of generic advice. This book shows you exactly how.