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Whether your student is preparing to take the ACT for the first time or attempting to build upon an existing score, Varsity Tutors offers a few different ACT prep options to help them as they pursue their academic goals. If you've been searching for "ACT test prep near me," look no further than Varsity Tutors.
The ACT is the standardized college entrance exam most commonly taken by high school juniors and seniors across the country. The results are used for both admissions and college placement decisions. Additionally, there is a career planning component to the ACT. Your student's ACT prep instructor can help them research the schools they are interested in attending to find out what their requirements are regarding ACT scores.
While all post-secondary institutions in the country accept your student's ACT score as part of their application process, some have expressly stated score requirements for admittance, some have general guidelines and preferences, and others take the ACT score into consideration without specific requirements. In addition, some schools require applicants to complete the optional Writing section, depending on which program they are applying for. Working with ACT test preparation professionals through Varsity Tutors can help make this less confusing, and can help your student use the information to set their ACT score goals, which can then guide their ACT course study schedule.
Since the ACT exam could have a huge impact on your student's future, determining where they're admitted to college and even if they get a scholarship, formal ACT test prep could prove to be a solid investment. If you feel that your student could benefit from an ACT course, ACT tutoring, or a combination of ACT test preparation services, contact Varsity Tutors today to learn more about any of our ACT prep assistance options.
All high school juniors and seniors in the country are eligible to take the ACT exam, and more and more high schools are offering the exam at no cost to the students' families. Your student's ACT prep instructor can help them gather the few application requirements, such as their preferred test date and location, career choices, and a list of the colleges and universities they'll be applying to, along with a few other simple items.
One of the first components that will be addressed in your student's ACT class is an overview of what they can expect to face on exam day. The following table details each of the five sections on the test:
ACT Sections |
Required |
Score Range |
Math |
Yes |
1-36 |
Reading |
Yes |
1-36 |
Science |
Yes |
1-36 |
English |
Yes |
1-36 |
Writing |
No |
2-12 |
Clearly, your student will have no shortage of academic material to cover during their ACT test prep. One of the greatest benefits of ACT tutoring is the flexibility allowed in preparing each ACT prep session. Even in the small group ACT courses, ACT tutors can make sure to spend as much time focused on subjects that each student needs to work on to reach a proficiency level that allows them to feel confident going into the test.
How can ACT classes near me provide comprehensive coverage of ACT test material?
Varsity Tutors provides ACT test prep by connecting your student with knowledgeable ACT tutors who are familiar with the entire content of the ACT, including the Writing section. To begin with, the English section has 75 questions and allows students 45 minutes to complete them. Their ACT test prep can help them review grammar, punctuation, style, transitions, sentence structure, and the rest of the topics that could come up when they take the actual ACT exam.
The Math section provides 60 minutes for students to complete 60 math problems. The ACT is designed to assess how well students have learned subjects in high school, so during your student's ACT preparation, they'll mostly be reviewing material they have already studied at some point. For the Math section, ACT test prep can include as much time as your student needs refreshing their knowledge of pre-algebra, algebra, intermediate algebra, plane geometry, coordinate geometry, and elementary trigonometry.
The Reading and Science sections have 40 questions each, and both provide 35 minutes for completion. The sections are also similar in how questions are presented. Students read passages and then answer questions following each passage. ACT classes can cover skills in craft and structure, key ideas and details, and integration of knowledge and ideas for the Reading section. For the Science section, your student's ACT test prep instructor can go over the best way to understand and respond to passages involving data representation, conflicting viewpoints, and research summary.
Finally, ACT prep tutors can help your student develop effective writing skills to answer the prompt on the ACT Writing section in the 40 minutes allotted for the essay. Prompts cover broad social issues, and require your student to analyze three separate perspectives given in the prompt, and then demonstrate how their opinion relates to these perspectives. The essays are scored based on the how well your student uses ideas and analysis, development and support, language use and conventions, and organization in their final written piece. One method frequently used by ACT prep tutors is to offer numerous practice essay prompts, and work closely with your student to develop the skills necessary to earn their best possible score.
How can ACT tutoring near me prepare me for the exam in addition to reviewing content?
There is more to quality ACT test preparation than just going over the subjects presented on the exam. It's important to spend time during ACT classes focusing on the format and structure of the exam, as well as strategies to overcome potential obstacles. A lot of testing anxiety comes from students not knowing what to expect when they sit down at the testing location and open the test material. ACT tutoring can help avoid this in a number of ways.
You probably noticed that each section provides a specific, limited time frame for students to answer all the questions presented. If your student tends to work quickly, that should be no problem. If not, spending ACT test prep time working on pacing and time management could be valuable. Often, this type of ACT prep is provided through practice test sections. Your student's instructor can present timed ACT practice sections that simulate the actual ACT testing situation. Their tutor can observe how your student answers questions, and offer strategies that could help them improve their pacing. One such strategy may be first answering those questions they find easy and then going back to work on the more challenging ones. In the end, it's important to answer all the questions because there is no penalty for a wrong answer, but they will be marked down for providing no answer.
Another strategy your student may work on during their ACT test prep involves increasing the likelihood they can answer a question correctly even when they don't know the answer. Similarly, the strategy can be used to answer some questions on the Math section without spending the time to fully work out the problem. ACT tutors can encourage your student to trust their first instinct, and use that to narrow down the choices. Often your student can eliminate all but two answers just by using common sense. Then re-reading the question and analyzing what specifically it's asking for, which is definitely something they can cover during their ACT preparation classes, should make the answer obvious. If necessary on a math question, your student can learn to work just enough of the problem to be able to determine which of the two possible answers is correct.
These are just a few examples of the types of strategies students can learn with the help of ACT prep provided through Varsity Tutors. There are plenty more, and ACT test prep instructors can decide which ones would be most beneficial to your student based on their individual strengths. Some strategies work better than others for different students, and because Varsity Tutors offers either one-on-one or small-group ACT prep options, tutors have the opportunity to get to know your student well enough to know which strategies may be most useful for them. This allows them to provide your student with customized practice problems to get familiar with using each technique.
Can ACT courses near me provide tutoring customized to meet my needs?
If your student is more confident in their knowledge or one or two sections than the others, a private ACT class may be tailored to their unique needs. For instance, a mathematics wizard may spend less of their ACT prep time going over the Math section in order to focus more time and effort improving their active reading and vocab skills. Even within a small-group setting, all ACT classes can provide one-on-one instruction, so your student never needs to leave a topic behind until they are fully confident in their ability to successfully answer those questions on the ACT exam.
As mentioned above, Varsity Tutors can provide students with either one-on-one or small-group ACT test prep. Some students may benefit more from the complete flexibility of private study sessions and the precise customization allowed. Other students may perform best in a more collaborative learning environment. Varsity Tutors offers ACT courses for both kinds of students. Small-group classes allow a handful of students to share an online classroom, where they're free to help and encourage one another as they study so everyone can work toward their academic potential. If your student is involved in a small-group ACT class, they always have the option to request as much one-on-one instruction time with the instructor in addition to the regular class time. We offer these options so that your student is able to make the most of the resources available to them.
You may find the following list helpful if you or your student are curious about the specific topics that might be discussed during an ACT course:
- Algebra
- Exponents
- Scientific Notation
- Geometry
- Interpreting Graphs and Charts
- Summarizing Scientific Findings
- Drawing Conclusions from Provided Data
- Interpreting Reading Passages
- Comparisons and Analogies
- Grammar/Spelling/Punctuation
- Sentence Structure
What other benefits can ACT test prep near me provide?
Students spend their years in school continually being evaluated, whether through standardized tests, final exams, quizzes during class, or some other method. It would be great if they could leave all this assessment behind when they graduate high school or even college. But that's pretty unlikely. No matter what career your student goes into, they can expect to face an evaluation of one sort or another. This isn't always presented as an official test, but sometimes it is. Therefore, their time spent in their ACT preparation class could provide them with the unexpected benefit of learning how to prepare for tests.
Taking a test and preparing for a test are not the same thing. Some people are naturally good at preparing for and taking tests. The rest of us can definitely benefit from learning a logical, realistic, structured method to prepare for important exams. If your child faces certification exams during the course of their career, they'll be able to recall the test prep methods they learned from their ACT tutoring. Therefore, ACT test prep provided through Varsity Tutors can actually benefit your student for the rest of their life.
Varsity Tutors professionals understand how busy high school students and their parents can get, so we strive to make all of our ACT test prep services as convenient as possible. Tutoring takes place in our Live Learning Platform, providing students with the same benefits as they would if they were meeting in person, but without the hassle of having to drive to even more activities than you already do. We also offer new ACT courses every week, and you may choose if you prefer a two-week or four-week course. In short, Varsity Tutors does everything possible to make ACT prep more convenient.
If you would like more information about how ACT test prep through Varsity Tutors can help your student as they work towards achieving their goals, or if you're ready to enroll your student in one of our ACT test prep services now, please contact us using the information provided below. Expert Educational Directors are standing by to help with any questions you may have. We're excited to help your student with their ACT preparation right away.
Jeana: ACT test prep instructor
...had the opportunity to teach students of all backgrounds and levels of ability. My unique approach to SAT and ACT test-prep focuses just as much on "learning the test" as it does learning the material, which gives students a sense of confidence and courage on test day. My expertise in "big test" prep translates to the regular school environment as well, whether it be building better study habits, better relationships to class material, or finding...
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Bachelors, Visual Arts
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- +54 subjects
Courtney: ACT test prep instructor
...teaching people from a variety of ages and backgrounds. I was a supplemental instructor for the Statistical Analysis course at Augsburg College and also served as a tutor through the Academic Skills Office there. I have tutored high schoolers at the MN Internship Center and worked with students of all ages from elementary schoolers to adults at the non-profit program Safe Place: Homework Help. A particular highlight of mine is the summer I spent teaching...
Education & Certification
- Augsburg College - Bachelors, Sociology w/minor in Spanish
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- Advanced Placement
- SAT
- CLEP
- +122 subjects
Max: ACT test prep instructor
...Chemistry and Writing. Additionally, I will be tutoring for ACT prep. I took the test officially three times and was successful each time and believe that I can share effective tips on how to increase scores in each subject. In my free time, I like to play sports like football and basketball. I also like to read novels and poems. My favorites are by Kurt Vonnegut and Jack Kerouac. I am a strong believer in...
Education & Certification
- University of Pennsylvania - Current Undergrad, Physics with Concentration in Chemical Principles
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- ACT English
- ACT Science
- College Physics
- +18 subjects
Haley: ACT test prep instructor
...loved numbers and Mathematics but it wasn't until college that I realized this passion and strength were driving me towards education. Since then, I've enjoyed working with students of all ages and abilities to further their math skills. I believe that everyone has mathematical abilities and I enjoying working and watching these abilities grow and improve in students. In my free time, I enjoy running with my Border Collie/Lab mix, Sadya, and swimming laps. I...
Education & Certification
- University of Northern Iowa - Bachelor in Arts, Mathematics Teaching
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- AP Calculus AB
- Arithmetic
- Algebra 2
- +14 subjects
Steven : ACT test prep instructor
...ability to communicate through the written word. While at Kenyon, I also worked for two years as a Spanish teaching assistant, leading language and culture lessons with beginning-level students three times per week. I spent my junior year abroad in Santiago, Chile at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. As a language-learner and teacher, I'm aware of what areas of the Spanish language are most difficult for English speakers and how to effectively navigate challenging...
Education & Certification
- Kenyon College - Bachelor in Arts, Spanish, International Studies
- University of California-Irvine - PHD, Sociology
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- Test Prep
- +27 subjects
Sean: ACT test prep instructor
...with and help you reach your full potential on these tests. I really enjoy teaching test preparation, as there are so many aspects to taking these exams ranging from test taking strategies, the material itself, as well as preparation right before the tests themselves. I believe that every student requires a different teaching strategy, and I believe in treating every student as an individual rather than a collective. In terms of me personally, I really...
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Current Undergrad, Computer Science
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT Writing
- +28 subjects
Max: ACT test prep instructor
...their way towards college. I volunteer in New Haven as a math teacher and coach at a public middle school (my team of 7th graders just won the 2016 New Haven regional championship!), and I've been tutoring middle and high school students for over 7 years. On top of all of that, I'm an aspiring professional in the business world - this past summer I worked at an internship in financial consulting (banking advisory &...
Education & Certification
- Yale University - Current Undergrad, Economics
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SSAT
- PSAT
- Advanced Placement
- +104 subjects
Audrey: ACT test prep instructor
...rising senior at Pomona College with a specialty in critical reading and writing skills. I have prior experience working at my school's writing center to assist first-year students with college-level essays. I have also captained an award-winning collegiate mock trial team for several years, which involves mentoring younger students in oral and written communication skills. In addition to my experience, standardized testing has always been a forte of mine. I am enthusiastic about sharing the...
Education & Certification
- Pomona College - Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT
- PSAT Writing Skills
- +36 subjects
Katie: ACT test prep instructor
...topics like time management and study skills. I understand firsthand the importance of standardized tests as students make goals for their next level of education; I am happy to help students prepare for these exams. I enjoy students of all ages and am excited to tutor a wide range of subjects, although my first loves are math and English (especially grammar). I truly believe my sincere energy and enthusiasm can help make students excited about...
Education & Certification
- University of Notre Dame - Bachelor in Arts, American Studies, Gender Studies
- University of Connecticut - Master of Arts, Higher Education and Student Affaris
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- SSAT
- GED
- +40 subjects
Ben: ACT test prep instructor
...pick up the pieces that were lost or are close, but not quite there: learning the way you want to learn and the way you learn best rather than having topics taught at you. For standardized testing: I have taken the special classes and labored through the workbooks to prepare for taking the exams myself. The trick is to learn the test and know how to beat it with the right tools, and I am...
Education & Certification
- George Washington University - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
- Roosevelt University - PHD, Clinical Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- GED
- PSAT
- SAT
- +50 subjects
Sadie: ACT test prep instructor
...a certified and highly qualified secondary English teacher in the metro Detroit area. I am looking to help middle and high school students with any area of English they need - grammar, vocabulary, writing, reading, analysis, etc. - in addition to helping them stay organized with school work. I have taught and tutored many ages in many places - all the way from elementary students in rural China to college students in a university writing...
Education & Certification
- University of Michigan - Bachelors, Education (English)
- Oakland University - Current Grad Student, Reading and Language Arts
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- College English
- +17 subjects
Valerie: ACT test prep instructor
I am currently a student at Ithaca College pursuing a degree in physics. I am very passionate about math and science especially, and I have found that teaching students is another passion. I have experience tutoring high school students in areas including algebra, algebra 2 and AP Physics 1. I love working with students to help them achieve their goals, and finding exactly what teaching style works best for which students.
Education & Certification
- Ithaca College - Current Undergrad, Physics-engineering 3-2
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- UK A Level
- ACT English
- +35 subjects
Andrew: ACT test prep instructor
...my broad experience in tutoring many different subjects, so that I have a wide variety of approaches to help all types of students master the material. I also believe that, in my German tutoring especially, I'm very systematic, so that my students have a strong grammar foundation on which to build further skills and concepts. I have also lived in Germany for a year, and am able to bring world-life experiences into tutoring sessions, so...
Education & Certification
- Oberlin College and Conservatory - Bachelors, German Studies and Voice Performance
- DePaul University - Masters, Voice Performance
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- PSAT
- PSAT Writing Skills
- +26 subjects
David: ACT test prep instructor
...tutored for many years and I have found that students may learn in different ways and all can excel. I like to present material in an engaging and relevant manner so that we can all learn and achieve success. One-on-one tutoring is an effective technique, particularly for explaining and modeling math, and I enjoy seeing students attitudes toward school brighten when they see immediate progress in their work. As a writing tutor, I like to...
Education & Certification
- Drake University - Bachelor of Science, Education, History
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- HSPT
- SAT
- PSAT
- +37 subjects
Allison: ACT test prep instructor
...ACT PREP: Rigorous sessions cover English, Math, Reading, Science and Writing and teach specific test-taking strategies unique to the ACT. COLLEGE COUNSELING: Counseling sessions help you choose the right academic path for you - college choices, extracurriculars, academic advice, and other decisions important to your college admissions. COMMON APP ADVICE: Learn how to write unique, memorable, and powerful college application essays and get step-by-step guidance in completing your college application forms. TUTORING: Computer science and...
Education & Certification
- Dartmouth College - Bachelor in Arts, Computer Science
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- High School Computer Science
- ACT Reading
- +13 subjects
Jared: ACT test prep instructor
...the student. I have tutored primarily middle and high school students but am comfortable with any age. I tutor many subjects, but am especially proficient in the areas of test preparation, math, and Spanish. I took several AP classes, was on the honor roll, and was blessed to receive a full-tuition National Merit scholarship for college. I currently have an open major but am leaning toward a degree in finance or information systems. I am...
Education & Certification
- Brigham Young University-Provo - Current Undergrad, Pre-Information Systems
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- PSAT
- Advanced Placement
- +34 subjects
Lee: ACT test prep instructor
...I can work with a student on more than one class at a time. I also have a lot of experience with test prep and love working with students who need help with standardized tests. I'm a laid back individual, but I like to push my students. I know that every student is able to do well and I really enjoy helping them along their path to success. But being laid back, I am also...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering
- Northwestern University - Master of Science, Biomedical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- ASPIRE
- PSAT
- SAT
- +41 subjects
Mark: ACT test prep instructor
I am a recent Yale graduate with a B.S in chemical engineering. I have over 5 years of experience tutoring a wide range of subjects, and I am very passionate about math and science. My favorite part of tutoring is instilling confidence into students and making them feel that they can understand and enjoy a subject.... Everyone learns differently, but everyone can learn anything.
Education & Certification
- Yale University - Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineer
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- Advanced Placement
- SAT
- History
- +39 subjects
Karishma: ACT test prep instructor
...very dedicated to helping students excel in school and in helping them develop study methods and styles that work best for them and that will serve them throughout school. I previously tutored with Boys Hope Girls Hope in Evanston, IL. I tutored middle and high school students in Spanish and English, and I was able to help them develop study strategies such as using flashcards or translating a sentence they had spoken aloud that day...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelor in Arts, English/Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +58 subjects
Gus: ACT test prep instructor
...product of indecision and confusion regarding my future because I couldn't find a way to mesh all of the things in life that excite me into one career. Film and animation have managed to do that for the most part, but as I grow older (and wiser?) I feel more certain that teaching at the collegiate level is my calling. I carry with me my overly nice, hard working, and cheese-loving qualities from my upbringing...
Education & Certification
- University of Wisconsin-Stout - Bachelors, Entertainment Design - Digital Cinema
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- Art
- AP Human Geography
- ACT English
- +48 subjects