A structured 4-week plan typically dedicates each week to specific focus areas: foundational strategies and diagnostics in week one, deep dives into 2-3 sections in weeks two and three, and full-length practice tests with targeted review in week four. This compressed schedule requires consistent daily practice outside of tutoring sessions, plus regular practice tests to track progress. Tutors can customize the pace based on your starting score and target score, ensuring you're working on what matters most.

Reading and Math tend to be the most challenging sections for many students, though the specific struggle varies—some students rush through reading and miss details, while others get stuck on complex math problems and run out of time. English is often more manageable with focused grammar review, and Science can be mastered quickly once you understand the question patterns. A tutor can diagnose your personal weak spots in the first session and build your 4-week plan around those priorities.

Pacing is one of the most common challenges, and it's learnable with practice. The strategy varies by section—for Reading, many students benefit from skimming strategically rather than reading every word; for Math, knowing when to skip a hard problem and come back saves crucial seconds. Tutors teach section-specific timing strategies and have you practice under timed conditions so these techniques become automatic. By test day, you'll know exactly how to allocate your time across each section.

Most students benefit from taking 3-4 full-length practice tests during a 4-week prep period—typically one at the start for diagnostics, one or two mid-way for progress tracking, and a final one in the last week to build test-day confidence. Each practice test should be followed by detailed review to identify patterns in your mistakes, not just your score. Tutors use practice test results to guide what you focus on in upcoming sessions, making your study time highly efficient.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about what to expect or doubt in your abilities—both things that practice and expert guidance address directly. Taking multiple practice tests under realistic conditions helps desensitize you to the pressure, while working with a tutor builds genuine confidence because you're actually improving your skills. Tutors also teach breathing and mental strategies to use on test day, so you walk in feeling prepared and calm.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to understand your current score, identify your strongest and weakest sections, and learn about your test-taking habits and goals. You'll discuss your target score and any specific challenges like timing or question types that trip you up. From there, your tutor creates a personalized 4-week plan focused on the areas where you'll see the biggest score gains.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in Reno who specialize in ACT prep and understand the test format deeply. When you describe your goals and learning style, you'll get matched with a tutor whose expertise and teaching approach fit your needs. You can start with an introductory session to make sure it's a good fit before committing to your 4-week prep plan.