Award-Winning ACT Math Tutors
serving Des Moines, IA
Award-Winning
ACT Math
Tutors in Des Moines
Private 1-on-1 tutoring, weekly live classes for academic support, test prep & enrichment, practice tests and diagnostics, and more to elevate grades and test scores.
Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
UniversitiesSchools & Universities
DeliveredHours Delivered
ProficiencyGrowth in Proficiency
Who needs tutoring?
No obligation. Takes ~1 minute.

The ACT Math section covers everything from pre-algebra ratios to trigonometric identities, and the real challenge is pacing — not just knowing the math but recognizing which approach gets you to the answer fastest. John earned a 36 composite and teaches students to identify problem types on sight so they can allocate time strategically across all 60 questions.

Industrial engineering at Georgia Tech is essentially applied math under pressure — optimization, probability, statistical modeling — which maps neatly onto the algebra, functions, and data questions that fill the ACT Math section. Ilesh pairs that quantitative training with a perfect 36 ACT composite and a pacing approach built around identifying which of the 60 problems deserve full attention and which can be solved in under 30 seconds. Rated 5.0 by students.
The ACT Math section rewards speed as much as knowledge, and Sugi teaches students to recognize which of the 60 questions are quick wins versus time traps. Her perfect 36 composite and strong math background — through calculus and physical chemistry at Rice — mean she can explain underlying concepts when a student needs more than just a shortcut.
Elliot's neuroscience PhD required heavy quantitative work — experimental design, statistical modeling, data analysis — which keeps the algebra, probability, and graph-reading skills central to ACT Math sharp and automatic. He scored a 36 ACT composite and uses that familiarity with the test's structure to teach students how to quickly classify each of the 60 questions by type and apply the most efficient solution path. Rated 5.0 by students.
I am currently a resident physician at Northwestern Hospital.
Scoring high on ACT Math means handling 60 questions in 60 minutes, which leaves no room for getting stuck on coordinate geometry or probability problems. Anna earned a perfect 36 ACT composite and teaches a triage strategy — identifying which questions to solve immediately, which to set up and return to, and which to skip strategically. That pacing discipline is often the difference between a 30 and a 34+.
A chemical engineering degree means Alex didn't just memorize formulas — he used trigonometry, coordinate geometry, and logarithms daily in coursework at Washington and Lee. On the ACT Math section, he teaches students to recognize which of the 60 questions are designed to waste time and which reward a quick conceptual shortcut. His perfect 36 ACT composite came partly from that kind of strategic pacing.
Scoring a 36 composite on the ACT required Benjamin to move through the Math section's 60 questions with speed and precision, from basic proportions all the way to matrices and trigonometric identities. He teaches the pacing strategies and pattern-recognition shortcuts that let students avoid getting bogged down on mid-section problems and still reach the harder questions with time to spare.
I am a Yale graduate with over 8 years experience tutoring students from a variety of backgrounds. I recently graduated from the Yale School of Public Health with a MPH concentrating in Epidemiology and Global Health. I also received my B.S. from Yale with a double major in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and French. I have experience both leading group classes and working with students one on one. I will respond to a student's strengths, weaknesses, and learning style in order to help them succeed and make the most of our time together. I earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT, 2280 on the SAT, and qualified as a National Merit Scholar on the PSAT. I look forward to working with you!
Most ACT Math questions below #40 test algebra and proportional reasoning that Austin, with a 33 composite and 1570 SAT, can break down into repeatable two- or three-step routines — the kind of efficiency that turns a rushed 60-minute sprint into a manageable pace. His classics and philosophy training also sharpened his ability to parse tricky word problems, pulling the actual mathematical question out of deliberately confusing setups.
Chemical engineering at Michigan means Edward solves problems daily where algebra, trig, and unit conversions aren't textbook exercises — they're how you size a heat exchanger or model fluid flow. That applied math instinct, paired with a 36 ACT composite, lets him show students the fastest way to decode each of the 60 questions rather than grinding through every calculation from scratch. Rated 4.8 by students.
Earning a 36 ACT composite, Eric approaches the Math section as a pacing and pattern-recognition challenge as much as a content test. The first 40 questions reward speed and accuracy on pre-algebra through coordinate geometry, while the final 20 demand quick thinking on trigonometry and matrices — and he teaches students to shift gears between those two phases deliberately. His method turns the 60-minute time crunch from a source of panic into a manageable strategy.
Scoring a 35 ACT composite while pursuing mechanical engineering at Harvard, Christopher brings genuine mathematical fluency to ACT Math prep. He zeroes in on the topics that appear most frequently — logarithms, trigonometric identities, coordinate geometry — and teaches time-saving shortcuts so students aren't scrambling in the final ten questions.
Medical school trains you to triage — figure out what matters most and act on it fast — and Jiatian applies that same instinct to ACT Math, teaching students to read a problem, identify the core concept being tested, and pick the most efficient solve path without getting tangled in extra information. Her Rice University math foundation covers the algebra, geometry, and probability spread across the section, and she's particularly sharp at showing students how to avoid the trap answers designed to catch rushed mistakes on the back half of the 60-question lineup.
Most ACT Math questions reward quick recognition over deep calculation — knowing instantly whether a problem is testing coordinate geometry, function behavior, or a ratio setup. Logan's 36 ACT composite came from exactly that kind of systematic categorization, and he teaches students to classify each of the 60 questions within seconds so they spend their time solving, not figuring out what's being asked. Rated 5.0 by students.
I am a Neuroscience and Behavior major at Columbia University. Although my major is centered in the STEM field, I am also passionate about human rights work, global engagement, and local outreach. While my future plans are subject to change, I see myself continuing in academia, going to medical school, and becoming a physician.
Most ACT Math questions aren't actually hard — they're designed to punish rushed thinking and shaky fundamentals, which is something Viktor learned firsthand while studying math at UChicago, where every concept had to be understood from the ground up. He scored a 35 ACT composite and a 1600 SAT, and he uses that test experience to teach students how to read each problem precisely and pick the cleanest solution path before touching their calculator.
Scoring well on ACT Math means covering a huge range — from pre-algebra through trigonometry — under serious time pressure. Liz earned a 34 ACT composite and has spent years teaching math at the middle school level, so she's particularly sharp at diagnosing which content gaps are costing the most points. She builds targeted practice around those gaps and layers in pacing strategies so students aren't rushing the last ten questions.
A year as a course assistant in Harvard's math department gave Richard a deep bench of ways to explain concepts when the first approach doesn't click. On ACT Math, he zeroes in on the topics that appear most frequently in the 50s and 60s — coordinate geometry, trigonometric identities, matrices, and logarithms — where most students leave points on the table. His 36 composite confirms he can execute under the test's tight time pressure.
Scoring a 36 ACT composite gave Sharan firsthand insight into the math section's quirks — questions that look complicated but collapse once you spot the right property of exponents or the shortcut through a system of equations. She teaches students to identify question types quickly and apply efficient strategies, especially on the later problems where time pressure is fiercest.
Scoring a 36 composite on the ACT, Vansh treats the Math section as a speed-and-strategy challenge as much as a content test. He identifies which of the 60 questions are disguised algebra, which are coordinate geometry, and which are trigonometry traps — then teaches the shortcuts that keep pacing on track without sacrificing accuracy.
I am a recent graduate of Cornell University, where I received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Over the past several years, I have worked with students from diverse backgrounds and experiences tutoring thermodynamics (my personal favorite), chemistry, and math. I have also tutored in the past for ACT/SAT and other subjects such as history, but I am deeply passionate about science and engineering. I tend to push my students to understand conceptual topics, as opposed to rote or algorithmic learning. In my free time, I love to bake sourdough, learn about history, garden, and recently started biking again.
I am a patient, intellectual, and calm college student at the University of Michigan passionate about tutoring others to improve their proficiency in a wide variety of subjects. I teach students by creating individualized plans that cater to the strengths and weaknesses of the student. I work hard and as long as it takes to ensure that the student derives maximum benefit. I love teaching a wide variety of subjects, and have a speciality in standardized tests.
Research in astrophysics and optical engineering means Dennis spends his days doing math that's orders of magnitude harder than anything on the ACT — so the algebra, trigonometry, and coordinate geometry across all 60 questions feel like second nature to him. He teaches students to read each problem for what it's actually asking, cutting through the extra wording that turns a simple calculation into a time sink. His 36 ACT composite and 4.7 rating back up the approach.
Scoring well on ACT Math isn't about knowing advanced topics; it's about solving pre-algebra through basic trig quickly and accurately under a tight 60-minute clock. Kerr, who scored a 36 composite, teaches students to identify which problems deserve full work and which can be shortcut through estimation or back-solving. His economics and CS studies at Vanderbilt keep him fluent in the quantitative reasoning the test demands.
I am a sophomore at the Georgia Institute of Technology and am working towards a major in Computer Engineering. I have been tutoring students of all ages and backgrounds in various math topics ranging from elementary school math to AP Calculus throughout high school. I love teaching math and always find it amazing to watch my students grow and improve in their mathematical abilities. While helping students with standardized testing, we go through several tricks and tactics that have helped my students succeed and have fun in the process. I am also well versed in Physics and have spent 3 years taking the highest levels of physics courses. I love playing all sports (especially soccer) and enjoy playing the guitar in my free time as well.
I am currently a student at Duke University studying Biomedical Engineering and Economics. Just a little bit about me and some of my interests. Some of my favorite academic interests include memoirs and modern classics. I think Catcher in the Rye is still one of my all time favorite books but Percy Jackson, a modern classic, is up there too. Beyond academics, I take great guilty pleasure in watching TV shows such as Westworld, Sherlock, How I Met Your Mother, and even The Bachelorette when I'm at a low point.
I am a recent magna cum laude graduate of Duke University and a full-time educator in North Carolina. I have a passion for helping young people figure things out and have experience writing professionally.
I am in my second year at MIT studying mathematics, and I am currently doing a research project in Spectral Graph Theory. I have been a tutor since my junior year in high school, and I enjoy teaching all levels of math; everything from pre-algebra through calculus and linear algebra! I focus primarily on making sure that the definitions and processes given in class make intuitive sense, so that math can begin to feel like second nature.
Scoring high on ACT Math isn't about knowing advanced topics — it's about moving through algebra, coordinate geometry, and trigonometry questions with speed and confidence. Alyssa earned a 35 ACT composite and brings a systematic approach to identifying what each problem is really testing, so students stop second-guessing and start finishing sections with time to spare.
Scoring high on ACT Math means handling everything from pre-algebra ratios to trigonometric identities within a single 60-minute sprint. Ryne's 36 ACT composite and his advanced coursework through linear algebra and multivariable calculus give him the range to tackle every difficulty level, and he teaches students which problems to solve quickly and which deserve extra time.
Every ACT Math question has a time budget of about one minute, which means knowing when to set up an equation versus when to backsolve or estimate is just as important as the math itself. Max earned a 36 composite and brings particular strength to the coordinate geometry and trigonometry problems that cluster in the later, higher-difficulty portion of the test. He builds speed by teaching students to categorize each problem type on sight.
Most ACT Math questions below #40 test pre-algebra and algebra concepts students already know — the challenge is executing them cleanly under a one-minute-per-question pace. Aleeza, who scored a 36 ACT composite, drills students on recognizing problem types at a glance so they bank time early for the trickier trigonometry and matrix items near the end. Her biology degree keeps her sharp on the data-interpretation and probability questions that often get overlooked in prep.
Scoring a 33 ACT composite, Justin knows the math section's particular challenge: it's not that any single problem is hard, but that 60 questions in 60 minutes leaves zero room for hesitation. He teaches students to classify problems on sight — coordinate geometry, matrix operations, logarithm properties — and match each type to a fast solution path. His PhD in Computational Mathematics means he can also dig deeper when a student's underlying algebra or trig foundations need reinforcing.
David's computer science training built the kind of systematic problem-solving instinct that pays off on ACT Math — he treats each question as a logic puzzle, identifying the shortest path to the answer before touching his calculator. That approach, combined with his own 36 ACT composite, means he can teach students to recognize when a geometry or trig problem is really just an algebra problem in disguise. Rated 5.0 by students.
Most ACT Math questions below #40 test concepts students already know — the points get lost to pacing mistakes and misread setups, not missing knowledge. Asta, who scored a 35 ACT composite, coaches students to identify exactly what each problem is asking before touching their calculator, a habit that cleans up the careless errors that quietly drag scores down. Her 5.0 rating speaks to how well that disciplined, read-first approach clicks during timed practice.
Computational biology at Cornell means Emily spends her days translating messy biological data into precise mathematical models — so the algebra, probability, and trig concepts packed into ACT Math's 60 questions are tools she uses constantly, not abstract formulas she memorized once. She scored a 36 ACT composite and teaches students to identify what each problem is really testing before they start calculating, which cuts down on the second-guessing that burns clock in the back half of the section.
Scoring a 35 ACT composite means Emily knows how the math section tests concepts — it's less about advanced formulas and more about recognizing which tool to apply under time pressure, whether that's coordinate geometry, probability, or trigonometric identities. She breaks down each problem type so students learn to spot what's being asked before they start calculating. Rated 5.0 by students.
I am an undergraduate at Washington University in St. Louis majoring in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology on the Premed track. I have two years worth of experience peer tutoring. I feel the most confident tutoring ACT preparation. During my time as a high school student, I worked from an ACT score of 25 to a 36 and developed many effective strategies that I will tailor to the students I tutor and understand the ins and outs of the test. In addition to working with high school peers, I have also enjoyed teaching private piano and violin lessons for elementary students. Helping people knock down their roadblocks is a passion of mine. Standardized tests and basic education may feel removed from our passions, but developing those foundations are essential for opening up opportunities and becoming capable of taking on our pursuits.
Scoring a 36 on the ACT required mastering every math concept the test throws at you, from coordinate geometry and matrix operations to logarithmic functions. Bidyut walks through each problem type with an emphasis on recognizing what the question is actually asking, which saves time and eliminates careless errors. He's rated 5.0 by students.
Testimonials
Because the right ACT Math tutor makes all the difference.
Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
Practice ACT Math
Free practice tests, flashcards, and AI tutoring for ACT Math
Nearby ACT Math Tutors
Other Des Moines Tutors
Related Test Prep Tutors in Des Moines
Frequently Asked Questions
Score improvement depends on your starting point and commitment level, but most students see meaningful gains within 8-12 weeks of consistent practice. Students who work with a tutor typically improve faster because they can identify and target their specific weak areas—whether that's algebra, geometry, or test-taking strategy—rather than studying broadly. The ACT Math section rewards both accuracy and speed, so a tutor can help you find the right balance for your skill level.
The ACT Math section gives you 60 minutes for 60 questions, so ideally you want to spend about one minute per question—but the questions get harder as you go. A smart strategy is to move quickly through the easier problems you're confident about, then spend extra time on harder ones, and skip any that feel like time-wasters to revisit at the end. A tutor can help you practice this pacing strategy on real ACT problems so it becomes automatic on test day, reducing the panic that often leads to careless mistakes.
The biggest challenges are usually pacing (running out of time), misreading questions, and gaps in algebra or geometry fundamentals. Many students also struggle with word problems because they require translating English into math equations, which takes practice. For students in Des Moines preparing for the ACT, working with a tutor on practice tests helps you see your personal patterns—whether you're rushing, misunderstanding concepts, or just need better test-taking tactics—so you can focus your study time where it matters most.
Most students benefit from taking 3-5 full practice tests under timed conditions in the weeks leading up to test day. The first one shows you your baseline and weak areas; the middle ones let you practice strategies and build confidence; and the final ones simulate actual test conditions. A tutor can review your practice test results with you to identify patterns—like which question types trip you up or where you lose time—so you're not just taking tests, you're learning from them.
Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unfamiliar with the question formats, so consistent practice with real ACT problems is one of the best confidence builders. Knowing that you've seen similar problems before and have a strategy for tackling them reduces panic on test day. A tutor can also teach you time-management and mental strategies—like which problems to skip, how to check your work efficiently, and how to stay calm when you hit a hard question—so you feel in control rather than rushed.
Your first session is all about assessment and planning. A tutor will likely review your previous ACT scores or have you take a diagnostic practice test to understand your current level, identify your strongest and weakest topics, and learn about your test date and goals. From there, they'll create a personalized study plan focused on your specific needs—whether that's building foundational algebra skills, mastering geometry, or sharpening your test-taking speed and accuracy.
Look for a tutor who has strong math knowledge, ideally with experience teaching or tutoring test prep, and who understands the ACT's specific format and question types. It's also valuable if they've taken the ACT themselves or have a track record of helping students improve their scores. When you connect with Varsity Tutors, we match you with experienced tutors who understand both the math content and the test-taking strategies that help students succeed on the ACT.
Most students preparing for the ACT benefit from meeting with a tutor 1-2 times per week for 6-12 weeks before their test date, depending on their starting score and goals. Between sessions, you'll do practice problems and take full practice tests on your own, which your tutor reviews with you to track progress. The key is consistency—regular tutoring plus independent practice is much more effective than cramming, and it helps you build real confidence in your math skills.
Let’s find your perfect tutor
Answer a few quick questions. We’ll recommend the right plan and match you with a top 5% tutor.