education

This book is great, since it has real tests and strategies, but I would suggest only checking this out from the library, and not buying one, because there are other ways to get real ACTs. There is a little booklet about the ACT, what to bring and that sort of stuff with a real ACT test, and a way to get two more tests wich all-together cost only about 15 dollars. I would suggest using the Getting Into the ACT for just practice, to see how you would do on the ACT and the other tests with a time limit. Also, don't use just this book, use ACT for Dummies, or some other book to help you out too.

I bought this book right after I took my first ACTs. I did not really prepare for my first ACTs; I only took a brief glance at an ACT-produced material. So, I decided to buy this book to get more used to the test.
If you really need to know the 'format' of the test, you don't have to buy this book. Buy Barron's or Kaplan, or Princeton Review. What this book is REALLY useful at is giving you an expectation of the level of questions the ACT is going to ask you.
For instance, Barron's ACT questions are much more challenging than the real ACT questions. However, the questions that appear here are of the SAME level of difficulty, partly because the questions are from 'retired' ACTs of 1996 (or some other year, I am not too sure)
If you already have "10 Real SATs", this is pretty much the same as that book, except it is produced by the ACT for the ACT.
The only difference would be that this book, unlike the "10 Real SATs", does not have 10 tests. It has only 2. However, this book has detailed explanations that will give you an edge if you would like to study more on the ACTs.
If you got the money, buy this, and go through the book 3-4 days before the real ACTs. You will see a definite increase in your scores. I certainly did; I got a 35 on my last ACT.

I bought this book prior to my taking the ACT for the first time and I must say it was helpful. The great advantage is that this book is written by the test makers and you know that the sample tests are similar to the actual test. This way, you really get the best practice and you are "surprised" on the day of the test with questions you've never seen before. Another great advantage is the sample tests (something you can not get in any other ACT preparation book). Unfortunately, there are only 2 sample tests. The explanations (for the sample tests and also for the other sample questions) are thorough but you can't really get enough practice with this book.

Also, if you are looking for a book that will "teach" you the material, this isn't it. The book contains mainly strategies.

In conclusion, if you are looking for general information in regards to the ACT and some sample question, just to get familiar with the test - this is the book for you. If you are looking for more than that, you should buy this book and another one with the math/science material.