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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.
Sarah: ACT test prep instructor
...of subjects, such as calculus courses, physics, chemistry, programming (python), french, and writing courses. Additionally, I took many AP classes throughout high school which enabled me to enter college with over 30 credits already completed. I have spent two years tutoring in the past and have gained experience learning how to work best with struggling students. I enjoy teaching and helping others learn, be it for a specific subject, test preparation (ACT, SAT or AP),...
Education & Certification
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities - Current Undergrad, Undecided
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- Advanced Placement
- Calculus
- Calculus 2
- +38 subjects
Austin: ACT test prep instructor
...goal is to help students become independent, comfortable, and confident in the fields they are studying. I love helping people get to the "aha" moment when they really understand what's being taught. In my experience, one of the most important parts of tutoring is setting clear expectations at the beginning and working toward a common goal. Given the right goals and assistance, I truly believe that anyone can master any of the subjects I teach.
Education & Certification
- Brigham Young University-Provo - Current Undergrad, Computer Science: Bioinformatics
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- Advanced Placement
- SAT
- AP Calculus BC
- +63 subjects
Samantha: ACT test prep instructor
...the fall, I will begin attending law school at Northwestern Law. For many years, I tutored a wide range of students in Spanish, English literature, and writing. I have also continued to help many high school seniors with college application essays. While I tutor a variety of subjects, I am very passionate about helping students improve their reading and writing skills, and I really enjoy helping students with Critical Reading and Writing portions of Standardized...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Current Undergrad, Political Science & Legal Studies
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- ISEE
- SAT
- SSAT
- +36 subjects
Gus: ACT test prep instructor
...in Wisconsin and attended three colleges in the area: the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, and, my alma mater, the University of Wisconsin - Stout. My scenic route through college was the 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...
Education & Certification
- University of Wisconsin-Stout - Bachelors, Entertainment Design - Digital Cinema
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- Phonics
- Science
- ACT Math
- +48 subjects
John: ACT test prep instructor
I graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC in 2008, the oldest English speaking acting conservatory in the world. I graduated Summa from University of St Thomas with a BA in English, and just wrapped up a MS in Data Science from Northwestern. I'm a huge Red Sox fan and love watching detective shows when I have free time.... Positivity. Always. I believe that if a student is given positive tools and is allowed to understand the material rather than be lectured at, they're more likely to do well in the future.
Education & Certification
- American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Associates, Acting
- University of St. Thomas - Bachelor of Fine Arts, English/Drama
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- HSPT
- STAAR
- +110 subjects
Ema: ACT test prep instructor
...literature and writing, I am most passionate about tutoring math. I have five years of experience as a math tutor, during which time I helped students ages 3-17 with math ranging from basic arithmetic to pre-calculus. My favorite math topic is algebra, particularly because of its usefulness in solving real-world word problems. In addition to mathematics, I find joy in teaching/elucidating Shakespeare to high-school students. As a classically trained actor, I find it fun to...
Education & Certification
- Harvard University - Bachelors, English
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- Literature
- +18 subjects
Nisarg: ACT test prep instructor
...At the University, I'm usually in class, studying, hanging out with my friends, or at club meetings! In my free time, I love to breakdance, write poetry, debate politics and economics, and participate in practically every nerdy endeavor possible (huge Star Wars fan!!). I love to talk and will talk your ear off if you let me! I love trying new things, exploring the city, and traveling. My teaching philosophy is that teaching is a...
Education & Certification
- University of Minnesota - Bachelors, Neuroscience
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- Advanced Placement
- Essay Editing
- +38 subjects
Kacey: ACT test prep instructor
...tutor. I am invested in each of my students' success and work hard to help them succeed. Consequently, each of my past tutoring clients has seen significant improvement. I am a big believer in catering to students' learning styles. I pay attention to whether they are an audio, visual, or kinesthetic learner, and then I tutor accordingly. I am currently a junior at Brigham Young University. I am an Applied & Computational Mathematics major with...
Education & Certification
- Brigham Young University-Provo - Current Undergrad, Applied and Computational Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- GED
- PSAT
- SAT
- +43 subjects
Jack: ACT test prep instructor
I'm a recent grad from Northwestern (B.A. in Theatre and Economics) who loves teaching and learning. I love helping other people achieve their goals and helping students find ways to be their best selves. Excited to meet and work with Chicagoland's students!... First sessions always start with discussion of a subject's foundations. If we nail these, the rest of the learning becomes ten times easier.... I'm big on listening. It's my job to hear what a client needs instead of jumping right into practice problems or revisions. First, we talk about goals. Then, we set up a timeline and steps for how to achieve those goals.
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelors, Economics/Theatre
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- Advanced Placement
- PSAT
- Summer
- +67 subjects
Steve: ACT test prep instructor
...wide range of tutoring positions during my undergraduate experience including: an English Literacy tutor for grammar school students, an SAT Math instructor, and a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) tutor for college students. I believe my strongest subject to tutor is Standardized Test Prep (SAT, ACT, and GRE). Performing well on these tests can truly bolster a student???s application for undergraduate or graduate education, and I truly enjoy helping him or her achieve their...
Education & Certification
- University of Notre Dame - Bachelors, Chemical and Biomolecular
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- Quantitative Reasoning
- +24 subjects
Allison: ACT test prep instructor
...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 Mandarin tutoring available. I hope to hear from you soon! I'm always open to having new students, whether it be for a quick ACT refresher or a long-term...
Education & Certification
- Dartmouth College - Bachelor in Arts, Computer Science
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- Conversational Mandarin
- Test Prep
- +13 subjects
David: ACT test prep instructor
...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 focus on helping students find their authentic voice. Essays succeed when students strip away the extraneous material and present themselves and their ideas honestly,...
Education & Certification
- Drake University - Bachelor of Science, Education, History
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SSAT
- ASPIRE
- HSPT
- +37 subjects
Haley: ACT test prep instructor
...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 tend to spend my evenings knitting or reading.
Education & Certification
- University of Northern Iowa - Bachelor in Arts, Mathematics Teaching
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- AP Calculus AB
- ACT Writing
- Pre-Calculus
- +14 subjects
Andrew: ACT test prep instructor
...married to a second grade teacher. Andrew is an expert in test taking strategies and specializes in pre-medical, medical and general science exams. He has a wealth of experience as a tutor and formerly worked as an instructor for The Princeton Review MCAT prep course, in which he taught 11 courses across 4 cities and received excellent reviews. Anyone looking for a complete, well-rounded tutor who can coach students for short- and long-term success will...
Education & Certification
- Baylor University - Bachelors, Biology, General
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center - Current Grad Student, MD
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- +55 subjects
Lee: ACT test prep instructor
...staying here for a long time. As a tutor, I have had students ranging from sophomores in high school to adults transitioning into a new career. My Engineering curriculum at Northwestern was heavily centered around Math, Chemistry, Biology and Physics, so 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...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering
- Northwestern University - Master of Science, Biomedical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- ASPIRE
- SAT
- PSAT
- +41 subjects
Kelsey: ACT test prep instructor
...2013, where she earned Distinction in All Subjects, she earned a Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Food Science at Montclair State University before going on to study her Master's of Business & Science in Analytics at Rutgers University. As a lifelong student, she loves tutoring to help others feel passionate about their own educational paths. Kelsey still attributes her academic successes to the study tactics she developed during her formative elementary and high...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- HSPT
- GED
- SAT
- +79 subjects
Ian: ACT test prep instructor
...as a algebra/geometry teacher with Teach For America. During my experience as a teacher and coach I have logged countless hours after school preparing students for the ACT and various math courses. In my free time I love to play soccer, basketball, hike, and go camping. I strongly believe that every child has the ability to do great things, and with our support and high expectations we can expect to see results.... My teaching philosophy is to remain patient, help students gain confidence, and knowing my student's learning styles. Every person does not learn the same way, so it's important to take the time to know your client and adjust the teaching to fit how the person learns best.
Education & Certification
- Michigan State University - Bachelors, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- Competition Math
- Social Sciences
- Geometry
- +18 subjects
Max: ACT test prep instructor
...school to sing and travel the entire world with the Yale Whiffenpoofs, America's oldest collegiate a cappella singing group. Apart from singing, I'm is passionate about education, particularly in helping high school students achieve their academic goals as they work 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...
Education & Certification
- Yale University - Current Undergrad, Economics
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +104 subjects
Cole: ACT test prep instructor
...Industrial Engineering, along with a Certificate in Business, from UW as well. Education has always been important to me, and tutoring allows me to share that passion with others. I first got into tutoring through a volunteer program in high school, and I continued to tutor during my undergraduate studies, which was some of the most rewarding work I've ever done. My engineering background has allowed me to take a wide variety of math and...
Education & Certification
- UW Madison - Bachelors, Industrial Engineering
- UW Madison - Masters, Industrial Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- ISEE
- Advanced Placement
- HSPT
- +54 subjects
Audrey: ACT test prep instructor
...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 skills and strategies that I have picked up along my way. If you are seeking a patient, energetic, and articulate tutor for your student,...
Education & Certification
- Pomona College - Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- PSAT
- Competition Math
- +36 subjects