You have 40 minutes to complete the ACT Writing essay, which includes reading the prompt and all perspectives, planning your response, and writing your essay. Many students find time management challenging, especially when balancing planning with actual writing. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who specialize in helping students develop efficient strategies for outlining and drafting within the time constraint.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you practice, but students typically see meaningful gains (1-3 points on the 1-36 scale) within 4-6 weeks of focused preparation. The key is understanding the rubric, practicing multiple essays under timed conditions, and getting feedback on your argument development and organization. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction helps you identify exactly what's holding your score back—whether that's thesis clarity, evidence selection, or time management.

Las Vegas students often struggle with three main areas: (1) analyzing multiple perspectives clearly and fairly, (2) developing a compelling argument within 40 minutes, and (3) managing time between planning and writing. Many students also find it difficult to balance taking a position while acknowledging the complexity of the issue—the rubric rewards nuance, not extreme viewpoints. Tutors help you practice these specific skills with targeted feedback on your essays.

Effective practice means writing full essays under timed conditions (40 minutes), not just reading about writing strategies. Start by analyzing the rubric and studying high-scoring sample essays, then write 2-3 practice essays per week with feedback on your thesis, organization, and evidence. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who review your essays, identify patterns in your writing, and help you refine your approach—this targeted feedback is far more valuable than practicing alone.

Yes, the ACT Writing section is optional—you can take the standard ACT without it. However, many colleges still recommend or require it for admission and scholarship consideration, particularly for competitive programs. Check the requirements for schools you're interested in before deciding. If you do take it, having a strong essay can strengthen your application, so it's worth preparing seriously rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Your first session focuses on understanding where you stand. You'll likely write a timed practice essay or review one you've already written, and your tutor will assess your strengths (clear thesis, strong examples?) and specific areas to develop (time management, analyzing opposing views?). From there, your tutor creates a personalized plan based on your timeline and goals—whether you're preparing for a test in 4 weeks or want to build skills over the semester.

Test anxiety on the essay often stems from uncertainty about what makes a "good" response. Tutors help reduce anxiety by demystifying the rubric, showing you exactly what scorers are looking for, and building confidence through repeated practice with feedback. Knowing you've written strong essays under time pressure before makes the actual test feel less intimidating. Developing a reliable pre-writing routine (reading the prompt, mapping perspectives, outlining your thesis) also creates a sense of control during the test.