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Award-Winning ACT Tutors
Certified Tutor
5+ years
Benjamin
Notre Dame trained Benjamin in finance and economics, but his 36 ACT composite — a perfect score — is what matters here: he knows every section cold and teaches the specific computation shortcuts and pattern-recognition tricks that turn near-misses into correct answers under time pressure. His math ...
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics (minor: Innovation and Entrepreneurship)
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Rahul
Cornell's chemical engineering program forced Rahul to master everything from thermodynamics to technical writing under pressure — a combination that maps neatly onto the ACT's full spread of math, science, and English content. He earned a perfect 36 composite and leans heavily on conceptual underst...
Cornell University
B.S. in Chemical Engineering
Certified Tutor
16+ years
John
An English and drama background might not scream ACT prep, but John's 36 composite — a perfect score — means he's mastered every section of the test, and his theater training makes him unusually good at close reading the rhetorical and narrative passages that stall most students on Reading and Engli...
University of St Thomas
Bachelor of Fine Arts, English/Drama
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Associates, Acting
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Rhea
Having recently taken the ACT herself and earned a perfect 36 composite, Rhea knows the difference between understanding content and understanding the test — two separate skills that require separate strategies. Her pre-med coursework at the University of Chicago keeps the Science and Math sections ...
University of Chicago
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Certified Tutor
5+ years
Arthur
A perfect 36 ACT composite means Arthur has mastered every section of the exam, but what sets him apart is his background in economics — he brings a data-driven, strategic mindset to pacing, question triage, and score maximization across English, Math, Reading, and Science. He's especially sharp on ...
Middlebury College
Bachelor in Arts, Economics
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Quinn's political science training sharpened the argumentative reading and evidence-evaluation skills that drive the trickiest ACT Reading and English questions — but with a 35 composite and tutoring experience across calculus, science, and grammar, he covers the quantitative sections with equal con...
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor in Arts
Certified Tutor
5+ years
Philip
Philip's mechanical engineering training at Illinois means the Math and Science sections play to his strengths, but his real value is on the English and Reading sides — he tutors literature, grammar, and essay editing alongside STEM subjects, so he covers the full test without handing students off b...
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
8+ years
Emily
Medical school trained Emily to absorb massive amounts of information under pressure and then perform — which is essentially what the ACT demands across all four sections in under three hours. Her 35 composite, biology and Spanish double major, plus math and chemistry minors mean she genuinely knows...
Indiana University-Bloomington
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis
Doctor of Medicine, Community Health and Preventive Medicine
Certified Tutor
7+ years
Lena
A 35 ACT composite means Lena scored at the top across all four sections — and her science background gives her a particular edge on the Science and Math portions, where data interpretation and quick reasoning under time pressure separate good scores from great ones. She breaks the test into repeata...
Drexel University
Master of Science, Biomedical Sciences
Tufts University
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Certified Tutor
7+ years
Satvik
Leading Carmel High School's Science Olympiad team to back-to-back Nationals appearances meant Satvik had to master rapid problem-solving under pressure across dozens of STEM events — the same skill set the ACT rewards in its Math and Science sections, where speed and accuracy have to coexist. His a...
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Current Undergrad Student, Aerospace Engineering
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Jeffrey
Pre-Calculus Tutor • +29 Subjects
I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and coming members of such a great field. I have experience tutoring both Calculus and Physics at Notre Dame, as well as experience as a Student Assistant for Differential Equations and Mechanics. I believe the key to learning is much deeper than learning to solve problems and that seeking knowledge is one of the best means for personal improvement.
Ethan
AP Statistics Tutor • +66 Subjects
I am not teaching or grading papers, I can usually be found playing some brass instrument or another, umpiring baseball, trying out a new recipe in the kitchen, or spending far too much time on Netflix.
Lindsay
AP Calculus BC Tutor • +53 Subjects
I am a recent graduate of the University of Arizona, with a BS in Biology and minors in Mathematics and Biochemistry. I am currently working on computer coding and enjoy tutoring students, specializing in test preparation for the ACT, SAT, and GRE.
Ilesh
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +27 Subjects
I am a recent grad from Georgia Tech, majoring in Industrial and Systems Engineering (an intersection of math, computer science, and business) and minoring in Business and Technology. I am originally from Columbus, OH, but chose to come down to Atlanta after getting a full-ride scholarship from Georgia Tech. In my spare time, I love playing/watching sports and travelling around the world (when possible!). Hobbies: sports, books, writing, reading, music, hiking, art, travel
Chelsey
Calculus Tutor • +31 Subjects
I'm a recent graduate of Northwestern University, a native New Yorker, and a recent addition to Varsity Tutors. I grew up in Westchester County, where I volunteered as an assistant creative writing teacher in high school. After high school, I moved to Evanston, Illinois for school. I studied a wide variety of subjects in college: from Medieval Literature to Buddhist Psychology. I moved back to New York after graduating to pursue a career in the arts. I currently work as a reader for the literary director of an Off-Broadway theatre company.
Max
AP Statistics Tutor • +51 Subjects
I am in the process now of applying for PhD programs in Computational Biology. I have done research in the field of freshwater ecology and am anticipating the publication of a paper I co-authored in the next several months.
Vansh
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +24 Subjects
I am currently pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. I am also a graduate of the high school International Baccalaureate Program. I have informal experience tutoring high school physics, but am most passionate about tutoring students for the ACT standardized test, having had extensive experience preparing for standardized tests throughout high school. I am eager to aid students in boosting their scores before their upcoming college applications, an important milestone in many students' lives. In my free time, I also enjoy playing tennis.
Ishan
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +25 Subjects
I am a current sophomore at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where I am majoring in Biology as part of the 7 Year Accelerated Medical Program. I am also minoring in Healthcare Economics and Policy. My favorite subjects in school are Chemistry, Biology, and Math, but I also enjoy the process of writing and editing thought provoking essays. During high school, I spent time tutoring for the National Honor Society. My approach to tutoring is to teach the concepts in a simplistic manner and reinforcing the concepts while adding difficulty through effective practice problems. In my free time, I have recently found myself reading, working out, drawing, and spending time with my siblings. Hobbies: art, books, writing, reading, music
Anna
Calculus Tutor • +34 Subjects
I'm Anna! I'm currently a student in the MD/MBA program between Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and the Kellogg School of Management, and graduated from Northwestern University as part of the Honors Program in Medical Education. I attended the Bergen County Academies in New Jersey, a selective, application-based magnet school, for high school.
Sugi
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +54 Subjects
I am currently a 4th year medical student at Baylor College of Medicine and previously graduated from Rice University, Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's degree in Cognitive Science and Biochemistry & Cell Biology. I have served on admissions interview committees for Rice and Baylor College of Medicine, have mentored and edited essays for numerous college and graduate school applicants, and served as a private tutor and classroom instructor for Advanced Biology and Chemistry courses for 3+ years.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
The ACT Science section tests data interpretation and scientific reasoning—not memorized science facts. You'll encounter 40 questions in 35 minutes across three question types: data representation (charts, graphs, tables), research summaries (experimental design), and conflicting viewpoints (competing scientific theories). The key challenge is extracting information quickly from unfamiliar data and applying logic, not recalling biology or chemistry content. Many students struggle here because it requires speed and comfort reading scientific formats under time pressure, which is very different from typical science classes.
The ACT isn't necessarily harder, but it's significantly faster-paced. You have 2 hours 55 minutes for four sections with roughly 1.5-2 minutes per question, while the SAT gives you more time per question. The ACT Math section also covers more advanced topics like trigonometry and matrices, which the SAT doesn't test. Many students find the ACT's speed more challenging than difficulty—you need strong time management and can't afford to linger on tough problems. Pacing strategy is critical: knowing when to skip and come back later can mean the difference between a 26 and a 30.
Most students see 2-4 point improvements with structured tutoring and practice, though improvement varies based on starting score and effort. Students starting at 19-22 often see larger gains (4-6 points) because foundational gaps are easier to close; students already at 28+ typically see smaller gains (1-2 points) since they're targeting elite scores. The national average is 21, so moving from 21 to 25-27 (top 25%) is very achievable with 8-12 weeks of focused work. Realistic improvement depends on identifying your specific weak sections—whether that's pacing on Reading, trig on Math, or data interpretation on Science.
Time management looks different for each section. On English (45 min, 75 questions), aim for roughly 30 seconds per question—it's fast but straightforward. Math (60 min, 60 questions) deserves a minute per question; skip hard ones early and return later rather than getting stuck. Reading (35 min, 40 questions) is the tightest constraint; many students benefit from reading the questions first, then skimming passages for specific answers rather than reading fully. Science (35 min, 40 questions) rewards quick data extraction—don't overthink; focus on what the graphs/tables show. A tutor can help you identify which sections drain your time and teach you pacing techniques specific to your strengths.
Most colleges do NOT superscore the ACT—they use your highest single test date composite score. This is different from the SAT, where many schools superscore individual sections. Because of this, your strategy should focus on achieving your target score on one test date rather than spreading attempts across multiple dates hoping to mix-and-match sections. However, you can retake the full ACT multiple times and submit your best composite. This means if you score 28 on one date and 29 on another, colleges see the 29—not a blended score. Check your target schools' policies, but plan your prep assuming they'll use your single best attempt.
Most students should skip the optional Writing section. Only about 2% of colleges require it, and most don't even look at it. The Writing test adds 40 minutes and doesn't boost your composite score—it's scored separately on a 2-12 scale. Unless a specific school you're targeting explicitly requires or recommends it, your time is better spent perfecting the four main sections. If you do take Writing, it requires strong essay skills under time pressure (40 minutes for one prompt), which is a different skill than the rest of the ACT. Check your target schools' websites first—if they don't mention it, leave it off.
Trigonometry appears on roughly 7-10% of the ACT Math section—usually 3-4 questions out of 60. The challenge isn't volume; it's that many students haven't seen trig since geometry or precalculus, so it feels unfamiliar under pressure. ACT trig questions typically test basic concepts: SOHCAHTOA, unit circle values, and simple trig identities. The bigger issue is that trig questions often appear late in the section when students are tired or rushed. A strong ACT Math tutor will help you refresh trig basics and teach you to recognize when a problem is actually a trig problem disguised in a word problem—that pattern recognition saves time.
The ACT Reading section gives you 35 minutes for 40 questions across 4 passages—roughly 8-9 minutes per passage. Many students try to read the full passage first, but this burns time. A more effective strategy: read the questions first to know what you're looking for, then skim the passage for specific information rather than trying to understand every detail. Some students do better skimming the passage first (1-2 minutes) to get tone and structure, then answering questions by returning to specific lines. The key is finding YOUR rhythm through practice. Tutors can help you test different approaches and identify which sections (fiction, social science, natural science, humanities) give you the most trouble—you might need different strategies for each.
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