A condensed 4-week program focuses on test-specific strategies rather than foundational content review. You'll typically work through each ACT section (English, Math, Reading, Science, and optional Writing), learn timing techniques, practice with real test questions, and take full-length practice tests to track progress. The curriculum emphasizes identifying your personal weak spots and using targeted drills to strengthen them, rather than reviewing everything from scratch.

The Reading and Science sections often challenge students the most because they require both content knowledge and strategic time management—you typically have less than a minute per question. Math struggles usually stem from pacing or specific concept gaps, while English tends to be more consistent across students. A tutor can diagnose which sections are costing you points and whether your issue is speed, comprehension, or test-format familiarity, then focus your prep accordingly.

Most students benefit from taking 3-4 full-length practice tests over four weeks—roughly one per week, with the final test in your last few days. This gives you enough data to spot patterns in your mistakes and track improvement, while leaving time between tests to review and adjust your strategy. Each practice test should be followed by a detailed review to understand not just what you got wrong, but why, so you don't repeat the same errors on test day.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about question formats or pacing pressure. During 4-week prep, you'll build confidence by repeatedly practicing under timed conditions, so the test format becomes familiar and less intimidating. Tutors can also teach you specific techniques like strategic skipping (moving past difficult questions to maximize points), breathing strategies, and mental reframing—turning "I don't know this" into "I'll come back to this"—to keep anxiety manageable on test day.

Timing strategies vary by section: on English, you'll typically have about 36 seconds per question; on Math, roughly 60 seconds; on Reading, less than a minute per question. The Science section requires strategic skipping—you don't always need to read the passage in detail. A tutor will help you practice these paces during timed drills and teach you when to skip, when to guess, and how to allocate your time based on your strengths. Most students find that practicing these strategies repeatedly makes them automatic by test day.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in Memphis who specialize in ACT prep and understand the compressed timeline of a 4-week program. When you reach out, you'll be matched based on your current score, target score, and specific section challenges. Your tutor will create a personalized study plan that maximizes your improvement in the time you have available.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and how much time you dedicate to studying. Students who commit to consistent practice and focused tutoring typically see 2-4 point improvements on the 36-point composite scale, though some see more if they're targeting a specific section. The most dramatic gains usually come from fixing pacing issues or learning test-specific strategies rather than learning entirely new content. Your tutor will set realistic expectations based on your diagnostic scores and goals.