Start by taking a full practice test to identify your weakest section—for many students this is Reading or Math. In a 4-week window, concentrate 50-60% of your study time on your lowest-scoring section, then divide remaining time between your other weak areas. The Science section often rewards timing strategy more than content knowledge, so understanding how to pace yourself through 40 questions in 35 minutes can unlock quick gains. Tutors can help you analyze which specific question types trip you up most and build targeted drills around those patterns.

Aim for 3-4 full, timed practice tests spread across the 4 weeks—roughly one per week. This gives you concrete data on which sections and question types are costing you points, and it builds test-day stamina for the 3-hour exam. More importantly, take diagnostic quizzes on specific topics between full tests so you can immediately apply what you're learning. Each practice test should be followed by thorough review where you understand not just what you got wrong, but why the correct answer is right and how to recognize similar questions in the future.

Pacing is one of the highest-impact improvements most students can make quickly. English allows 45 seconds per question, Math allows 1 minute, Reading allows 52 seconds per question, and Science allows about 53 seconds. Practice tests reveal if you're spending too much time on hard questions early and running out of time later—the most common pacing mistake. In your 4 weeks, dedicate specific practice sessions to working at target pace on just one section, using a timer to build muscle memory. Tutors can teach you strategic skipping and guessing tactics so you don't get stuck on one question and lose time on easier ones you'd get right.

Reading is challenging because there's less time per question and you must extract the right information from dense passages—it rewards skimming strategy more than careful reading. Math tests a wider range of skills and requires quick problem-solving under time pressure, which reveals gaps in foundational concepts students thought they mastered. Both sections punish slow work, so many students struggle not with the content but with pacing. In 4 weeks, focus Math prep on the specific topics that appear most (functions, geometry, algebra) rather than trying to review everything, and use reading practice to develop a consistent annotation and timing strategy rather than just reading faster.

Test anxiety often comes from uncertainty about what to expect. Taking multiple full-length practice tests in realistic conditions—quiet room, no breaks except the official ones, same time of day as your real test—builds familiarity and reduces anxiety significantly. As you practice and see improvement on specific sections, your confidence naturally increases. Tutors can also teach calming techniques for test day and help you develop a pre-test routine that feels grounding. Knowing your target pacing strategy, your timing for each section, and what you've practiced most gives you concrete control, which is one of the best anxiety antidotes.

Varsity Tutors connects San Diego students with expert tutors who specialize in intensive ACT prep and understand the specific pressure of compressed timelines. When you match with a tutor, they'll assess your current level with a diagnostic practice test, identify which sections and question types are holding back your score, and build a focused 4-week study plan around your goals. Many tutors in the San Diego area offer flexible scheduling to fit around your school and extracurricular commitments, and they can meet with you online or in-person, depending on what works best. The first step is describing your current score and target score—that helps connect you with someone experienced with your exact situation.