Score improvement depends on your starting point and how much you engage with the material. Students who are already scoring in the 25-30 range often see 2-4 point increases with focused prep, while those starting lower may see larger gains by addressing fundamental gaps. The key is consistent practice between sessions and identifying which sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) will give you the best return on effort—your tutor can help pinpoint this strategy from day one.

Pacing is one of the biggest challenges students face on test day. In a 4-week prep program, you'll learn section-specific timing strategies—like how to budget your 35 minutes on the Reading section or manage the Math section's 60 minutes across 60 questions. Practice tests are essential here; they help you develop a feel for the clock and identify whether you're rushing through easy questions or getting stuck on hard ones. Your tutor can review your practice test timing patterns and adjust your strategy accordingly.

The Reading section often requires the most time to improve significantly because it depends on comprehension speed and critical thinking skills that take practice to develop. However, the Science section can feel deceptively hard because it's really about reading graphs and data—not deep scientific knowledge. Math and English tend to show faster improvement when you focus on question patterns and grammar rules. Your tutor will assess which section offers the best opportunity for quick gains based on your current strengths.

Ideally, you should take 3-4 full practice tests during a 4-week program—roughly one per week—to track progress and get comfortable with the test format. Between full tests, you'll work on targeted drills for specific question types and weak areas. Practice tests are most valuable when you review them thoroughly with your tutor to understand why you missed questions and adjust your approach for next time.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the format and uncertainty about your abilities. A 4-week prep program builds confidence through repeated exposure to real ACT questions, timed practice, and seeing your own score improvements. Your tutor can also teach you specific strategies like how to skip difficult questions without panic, manage your energy across 3 hours, and use breathing techniques on test day. Knowing exactly what to expect removes a lot of the fear.

Your first session typically includes taking a diagnostic practice test (or reviewing a recent one) to identify your baseline score and pinpoint which sections and question types are causing the most trouble. From there, you and your tutor will create a focused 4-week study plan that prioritizes the areas where you can make the biggest gains. This personalized approach means you're not wasting time on content you already know.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in ACT prep and understand the specific challenges students face. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss your target score, timeline, and learning style so they can tailor the 4-week program to your needs. Tutors work with students across Des Moines and can personalize instruction based on your diagnostic results and goals.