Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort level, but most students see meaningful gains with focused prep. Students who start around the national average (21) often improve 2-4 points, while those with stronger foundations may gain 3-5 points. The key is consistent practice, identifying your specific weak areas, and applying targeted strategies—which an 8-week class is designed to help you do.

Pacing is one of the biggest challenges students face, especially on the Reading and Science sections. An 8-week prep class teaches you strategic approaches for each section—like skimming techniques for Reading and prioritizing questions by difficulty in Math. You'll practice these strategies repeatedly with timed drills so they become automatic, reducing test anxiety and helping you finish sections confidently.

While challenges vary by student, Reading and Science are commonly difficult because they require both content knowledge and quick decision-making under time pressure. Math can be tricky for students who haven't practiced problem-solving strategies beyond basic computation. An 8-week class lets you focus extra attention on your specific weak sections, whether that's mastering test-specific Reading strategies or building Math confidence.

Most 8-week prep classes include 4-6 full-length practice tests, spaced throughout the course so you can track progress and apply new strategies immediately. Between full tests, you'll do targeted section drills and timed practice sets. This combination helps you build stamina for test day while giving you frequent feedback on what's working and where to focus your effort.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the test format and uncertainty about your abilities. An 8-week class removes that uncertainty by exposing you to every question type, timing constraint, and test scenario you'll face. As you practice and see your scores improve, confidence builds naturally. You'll also learn stress-management strategies specific to test day, so you can stay calm and focused when it matters.

Look for tutors with strong ACT scores themselves, proven experience teaching test prep, and knowledge of the specific strategies that work for each section. They should be able to explain not just the right answer, but why other options are wrong and how to spot traps quickly. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in Dallas who specialize in ACT prep and understand the test inside and out.

Ideally, start 8-10 weeks before your test date to allow time for prep plus a buffer for retesting if needed. If you're testing soon, an 8-week class is still valuable—you'll focus on high-impact strategies and your strongest opportunities for improvement. Consider your current score, target score, and test date when deciding, and a prep tutor can help you create a realistic timeline.