A structured 4-week plan typically dedicates each week to specific sections or skills: Week 1 focuses on diagnostics and identifying weak areas, Week 2-3 target content review and strategy for your lowest-scoring sections, and Week 4 emphasizes full-length practice tests and timing refinement. Most students benefit from 2-3 tutoring sessions per week combined with independent practice, which allows you to apply strategies between sessions and build confidence before test day.

Reading and Math tend to be the most challenging for many students—Reading because it requires both speed and comprehension, and Math because it covers a wide range of topics and timing pressure compounds mistakes. The good news is that both sections respond well to targeted strategy work: Reading improves with practice identifying question types and eliminating wrong answers efficiently, while Math benefits from reviewing commonly tested concepts and practicing under timed conditions. A tutor can pinpoint whether your struggles are content-based or strategy-based and address the real bottleneck.

Pacing issues usually stem from either spending too long on hard questions or not having a strategic approach to question difficulty. The solution is learning to triage: identify which questions you can answer quickly, which need more time, and which to skip strategically. Practice tests are essential here—they help you calibrate realistic timing for each section and build the muscle memory to manage time automatically on test day. A tutor can help you develop a personalized pacing strategy based on your strengths and teach you when to move on versus when to push through.

Test anxiety often improves significantly with familiarity and confidence, which is exactly what focused prep builds. Taking multiple full-length practice tests under realistic conditions desensitizes you to the test experience and helps you trust your preparation. Beyond that, simple strategies like deep breathing before difficult sections, reminding yourself that one hard question doesn't derail your score, and having a clear game plan for each section can reduce anxiety on test day. Many students also find that working with a tutor provides reassurance and helps them feel genuinely prepared.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors experienced in ACT prep who understand the specific challenges students face. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss your target score, timeline, and learning style to ensure personalized instruction that fits your needs. Tutors can work with you flexibly during your 4-week prep window and adjust the focus based on your practice test results and progress.

Practice tests serve multiple critical purposes: they help you identify content gaps and weak strategies, build stamina for the full 3-hour test, and provide data to guide your studying. Taking practice tests under timed, realistic conditions also reduces surprises on test day and helps you refine your pacing and question-selection strategy. Most students benefit from taking at least 3-4 full-length practice tests during a 4-week prep period, with a tutor reviewing results to pinpoint exactly what to focus on next.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment—either reviewing a recent practice test or taking one with your tutor—to understand your current score, identify your strongest and weakest sections, and uncover whether your challenges are content-based or strategy-based. From there, you and your tutor will create a focused 4-week plan targeting your biggest opportunities for improvement and establish realistic score goals. This diagnostic foundation ensures the rest of your prep is strategic and efficient rather than generic review.