Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort level, but most students see meaningful gains with consistent, focused preparation. Students who begin with a composite score in the 18-22 range often improve by 3-5 points, while those starting higher may see 1-3 point improvements. The key is identifying your specific weak areas—whether that's pacing on the Reading section or struggling with complex math problems—and dedicating focused practice time to those challenges.

Students often struggle most with the Reading and Science sections, which require both speed and comprehension under time pressure. The Math section challenges students who haven't practiced with advanced algebra and trigonometry concepts, while the English section trips up those unfamiliar with grammar rules and rhetorical strategy questions. An 8-week prep class lets you focus intensive practice on whichever sections are holding back your composite score.

Pacing is one of the most critical skills for ACT success, and it's best learned through timed practice. An effective prep class teaches you section-specific timing strategies—like how to quickly identify easy questions to build momentum—and has you take multiple full-length, timed practice tests to build speed and accuracy simultaneously. You'll learn to recognize when to skip a difficult question and come back to it, rather than spending valuable time stuck on one problem.

Familiarity breeds confidence—taking multiple practice tests under realistic conditions helps you feel prepared and less anxious when test day arrives. A structured 8-week prep class also teaches you breathing and focus techniques to manage anxiety in the moment. By the time you sit for the real test, you'll have seen every question type multiple times and practiced your strategies repeatedly, which significantly reduces test-day nerves.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests over 8 weeks—roughly one every 1-2 weeks. This gives you enough data to identify patterns in your mistakes and track improvement over time, while leaving room for targeted skill-building between tests. Each practice test should be taken under timed, test-day conditions to accurately measure your readiness and build the stamina needed for the actual 3-hour exam.

Varsity Tutors connects you with experienced tutors who specialize in ACT preparation and understand the specific challenges students face. When you reach out, you'll be matched based on your current score, target score, and learning style. Your tutor will work with you to create a personalized 8-week study plan that targets your weak areas and builds the test-taking skills you need to improve your composite score.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to understand your current strengths and weaknesses across all four sections. Your tutor will review your ACT score history (if available), discuss your target score and college goals, and identify which sections need the most attention. From there, you'll create a customized 8-week study plan with specific focus areas, practice test dates, and weekly skill-building goals tailored to your needs.