Timing is one of the most common ACT challenges, and it's fixable with the right approach. The strategy isn't to work faster—it's to work smarter by learning which question types take you longer and practicing those specifically.

An effective 8-week prep plan includes timed practice drills for each section, teaches you when to skip and return to difficult questions, and trains you on the exact pacing benchmarks (for example, spending about 8-9 minutes per passage on Reading). Tutors who specialize in ACT prep can identify your personal bottlenecks and coach you through timing strategies that actually work for your learning style.

Reading tests your ability to find evidence in the text quickly—the challenge is managing time across dense passages. Math spans a wide range of topics (from basic arithmetic to trigonometry) and rewards efficiency; many students struggle with pacing here. Science isn't about memorization—it's about interpreting data, graphs, and experiments under time pressure, which trips up even strong test-takers.

Each section requires different strategies. A strong 8-week prep plan isolates these differences and gives you section-specific practice with tailored timing approaches. Tutors can diagnose which section is your real bottleneck and adjust your study plan accordingly.

A solid 8-week plan typically includes 4-6 full-length practice tests, plus targeted section-specific drills in between. The first practice test (taken early) serves as your diagnostic baseline; the rest help you track improvement and build test-day stamina.

What matters more than the number is how you use them. After each practice test, you need to review your mistakes deeply—not just check the answer, but understand why you missed it and what strategy would have helped. Expert tutors guide this review process to turn practice tests into actual learning, rather than just repetition.

Test anxiety is real, and an 8-week prep program should address it alongside content review. Familiarity breeds confidence—the more you practice under timed, test-like conditions, the less anxiety you'll feel on the actual test day. You're essentially training your brain that the ACT isn't a surprise.

Tutors who work with ACT prep help you develop rituals and mindsets that calm anxiety: having a pre-test routine, knowing exactly what to expect, practicing your pacing strategy so you feel in control, and learning to distinguish between productive nerves (which sharpen focus) and unhelpful panic. By test day, you've done this dozens of times—that repetition is powerful.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who start by analyzing your diagnostic practice test results in detail. Instead of generic prep, they pinpoint exactly where you're losing points—maybe it's algebra on the Math section, paired passages on Reading, or data interpretation on Science.

Once weak areas are identified, the 8-week plan is customized to spend the most time there while maintaining your strengths. This targeted approach is much more efficient than a one-size-fits-all curriculum and leads to faster score improvements for students in Brooklyn.

Varsity Tutors matches you with expert tutors who specialize in ACT preparation and understand what students in Brooklyn need to succeed. The matching process considers your specific score goals, learning style, and availability so you connect with someone who's a great fit.

From there, your tutor designs an 8-week plan tailored to your baseline and goals, provides personalized instruction, gives you strategic guidance on test-taking techniques, and holds you accountable to consistent practice. The whole process is streamlined so you can start prepping quickly and efficiently.