Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort level, but students typically see 2-4 point gains with consistent practice and targeted instruction. If you're starting below a 20, you may see larger improvements as you learn fundamental strategies. The key is identifying your specific weak areas early—whether that's pacing on the Reading section or particular Math topics—and drilling those skills throughout the eight weeks.

Timing is one of the biggest challenges on the ACT, and a structured 8-week class builds pacing skills gradually. You'll start by learning strategies for each section without time pressure, then practice with increasingly strict time limits. By week 6-8, you'll be taking full-length timed practice tests to build stamina and refine your approach. Expert tutors help you identify which question types slow you down and teach you when to skip strategically versus push through.

Absolutely. While an 8-week class covers all four sections, personalized instruction allows you to spend more time on your weaker areas. For example, if Math is your challenge but Reading is solid, you can dedicate more class time and practice to Math concepts and problem-solving strategies. This targeted approach ensures you're not wasting time on material you've already mastered.

Most 8-week prep classes include 4-6 full-length practice tests, typically taken every 1-2 weeks so you can track progress and adjust your study strategy. These practice tests are crucial—they help you get comfortable with the actual test format, build test-day stamina, and identify patterns in the types of questions you're missing. Between full tests, you'll do focused drills on specific sections and question types.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about what to expect and feeling unprepared. An 8-week class builds confidence by familiarizing you with every section of the test, teaching you proven strategies that work, and giving you repeated practice in test-like conditions. By test day, you've seen hundreds of real ACT questions and taken multiple full-length tests, so the actual exam feels familiar rather than intimidating.

Varsity Tutors connects San Jose students with expert tutors who specialize in ACT prep and understand the specific strategies that work for this test. When you get matched with a tutor, you'll discuss your goals, current score, and target score so they can customize the 8-week plan to your needs. Many tutors in the San Jose area have experience helping students at local schools and understand the academic standards you're working toward.

Your first session focuses on assessment and planning. You'll likely take a diagnostic test or review your recent practice scores to establish your baseline, then discuss your target score and timeline. Your tutor will walk you through the test format, explain the scoring system (the ACT is scored 1-36), and help you understand which sections need the most work. This sets the foundation for an effective 8-week plan tailored to your specific goals.