Pacing is one of the most common challenges ACT test-takers face. The ACT is designed to be fast—you have roughly 30 seconds per question on English, 1 minute per question on Math, and about 45 seconds per reading passage. Building speed requires practice, not rushing.

Effective strategies include: taking full-length practice tests under real time conditions, learning which question types you can answer quickly versus those requiring more focus, and developing a system for flagging difficult questions to return to later. Many students improve pacing dramatically by completing 10-15 full practice tests over 8 weeks. A tutor can help you analyze your timing patterns, identify where you're losing seconds, and practice strategic skipping so you maximize points instead of getting stuck on harder questions.

This is one of the most common score imbalances. The ACT Reading section rewards speed and comprehension in equal measure, and it's often the hardest section to improve quickly because it requires both foundational reading skills and test-specific strategies. Meanwhile, Math rewards precision and practice with ACT question formats.

In an 8-week program, you'd focus the bulk of your reading preparation on practicing with actual ACT passages, learning to identify question types (inference, detail, author's tone), and timing yourself on small chunks rather than full passages initially. Many students also benefit from reading practice outside of test prep—even 15 minutes daily of challenging material can help. Your tutor can pinpoint whether your struggles are comprehension-based or strategy-based, then customize your study plan accordingly.

Aim for 8-12 full-length practice tests over your 8-week preparation period—roughly one per week, with a few extra as you approach test day. This gives you the volume needed to build stamina, identify patterns in your errors, and get comfortable with pacing and question formats.

The most valuable practice tests are the official ACT practice tests, which accurately reflect the real exam's difficulty and style. Beyond taking them, spending time reviewing your answers matters just as much—analyze every question you missed or guessed on to understand why. Are you missing questions due to careless errors, timing pressure, or conceptual gaps? This diagnostic work is what drives improvement. A tutor can help you review practice tests strategically so you're learning from each one rather than just accumulating test-taking hours.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty—not knowing what to expect, feeling unprepared for specific question types, or pressure to perform. The most effective antidote is familiarity and realistic preparation. By taking multiple full-length practice tests in an 8-week program, you're essentially desensitizing yourself to the test format and building confidence through repetition.

Practical strategies include: getting comfortable with the physical experience of sitting for 3+ hours, developing a consistent pre-test routine, practicing deep breathing or grounding techniques during practice tests, and reframing anxiety as excitement. Working with a tutor also provides ongoing reassurance—you can track your progress on practice tests, celebrate improvements, and address specific worries before test day. Many students find that knowing exactly what to expect in each section significantly reduces anxiety on the actual exam.

Start with a full-length diagnostic practice test taken under real conditions. Score it carefully, then analyze your results by question type and topic, not just by section. You might discover, for example, that you're missing questions about trigonometry or main idea inferences—much more specific than just "Math is weak."

Document patterns: Are you missing hard questions? Easy questions? Questions at the end of sections due to time pressure? Once you know your weak spots, allocate study time proportionally. If you're missing 30% of trigonometry questions but only 10% of algebra, spend more time on trig. Over 8 weeks, revisit these same weak areas with fresh practice problems and tests to confirm improvement. A tutor can help you identify these patterns quickly, prioritize what to tackle first, and monitor whether your targeted practice is actually moving the needle.

For students in Minneapolis, connecting with an expert tutor through Varsity Tutors gives you access to personalized 1-on-1 instruction tailored to your schedule and your specific ACT challenges. Rather than generic group classes, a tutor can focus entirely on your weak sections, learning style, and test-taking habits.

Varsity Tutors matches you with tutors who have deep ACT expertise and understand how to structure an 8-week program for maximum results. You'll work through practice tests together, develop pacing strategies, and get real-time feedback on your progress. Whether you prefer to meet locally or via video, the personalized approach means your prep stays focused on what actually moves your score—not generic test prep materials.