ACT prep: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What act prep is

ACT prep prepares students for a college admissions exam covering English, math and reading sections, plus an optional science section, with pacing strategies and timed practice. Students and parents book it when the test is coming up, when practice scores have stopped rising, or when the science section feels like a surprise.

Signs you need it

  • The student runs out of time in the science or reading sections
  • Practice scores in one section are far below the others, and the gap has not closed
  • The student does not understand the science passages and the charts in them
  • The student makes careless errors on the English section, such as punctuation or word choice
  • The test is a few months away and the student has no plan for practice or review

What the pro does

  • Runs a timed diagnostic practice test and reviews the section scores with the student
  • Teaches pacing for each section, with a plan for which questions to skip and return to
  • Works on the science passages and charts, with a method for reading data quickly
  • Covers the English and math content gaps the diagnostic shows
  • Reviews each practice test with the student and sets the next focus for the next session

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Length of each session and how many sessions are in a series
  • Whether the course is a short workshop or a longer program over several months
  • Whether sessions are in person or online
  • Private tutoring versus a small group class
  • Whether practice tests and score reports are included
  • How much content review the student needs before the pacing work

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of sessions, session length and the start date
  • Whether practice tests, answer reviews and progress reports are included
  • Whether sessions are in person or online, and what materials are used
  • Cancellation and make-up policy
  • Whether the tutor will share progress with the parent and the student

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you start, and what will the first timed practice test show us?
  • How do you teach pacing across the sections the student will take?
  • How do you teach the science section, which is mostly about reading data, and does it make sense for my child to take it?
  • Do you use official practice tests, and how do you get them?
  • How many full practice tests will we do, and when?
  • Have you passed a background check, and do all of your tutors pass one?
  • What improvement is realistic for my child, and how will we measure it?

Red flags

  • Promises a set score or a specific jump in points
  • Uses unofficial practice questions and claims they are the real test
  • Skips the science section because it is hard to teach
  • Pushes a long package of sessions before a diagnostic test

What you can do yourself

A student can take a full timed practice test, review every wrong answer and note the mistake type, and practice reading charts for five minutes a day. Use the test maker's official practice materials, which are often free. Hire a tutor when one section keeps pulling the score down, when pacing is the main problem, or when the student needs a clear method for the science passages.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to tutor for a standardized test privately. Ask whether the tutor has teaching experience or a degree in the subject, and check with your state or local licensing agency only if the program or school has its own rules for test prep services.

ACT prep questions

Should my child take the ACT or the SAT?

Many colleges accept either test. A tutor can run a practice test for each one and help your child compare the results and the time each test takes. Check the admissions rules of the colleges your child is applying to.

Does my child need to be good at science for the ACT?

The optional science section tests reading data and reasoning more than deep science knowledge. A tutor can teach the method for the science passages, even for a student who does not like science.

Does my child need a background check for a test prep tutor?

Many parents and programs ask for one when the tutor works with a minor. Ask for proof of a background check before the first session, and ask about the rules for pickup and supervision.

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