Score improvement varies based on your starting point and effort level, but most students see meaningful gains with focused, structured preparation. If you're starting around the national average (21), improvements of 3-5 points are realistic with consistent practice. Students with stronger fundamentals often see larger gains by refining strategy and timing. The key is identifying which sections need the most work and dedicating practice time accordingly.

Pacing is one of the biggest challenges on the ACT, and it's addressed through timed drills and full-length practice tests. A strong prep class teaches you which questions to prioritize, when to skip and return to harder problems, and how to manage the 3-hour test format. You'll practice under real testing conditions so that timing becomes automatic, not something you worry about during the actual exam.

Most students have section-specific strengths and weaknesses—that's completely normal. A good prep class diagnoses your weak areas early through diagnostic testing and then allocates study time strategically. For example, if Reading is your challenge, you'll focus on comprehension strategies and question types; if Math is tough, you'll drill problem-solving approaches. This personalized focus is more efficient than spending equal time on all sections.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests over 8 weeks—roughly one every 1-2 weeks. Early tests help identify weak areas and establish a baseline; mid-course tests track progress and refine strategy; final tests build confidence and simulate test-day conditions. Between full tests, you'll do targeted drills on specific question types and sections to build skills efficiently.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about what to expect or doubt in your abilities. An 8-week prep class builds confidence through familiarity—you'll see hundreds of real ACT questions, learn exactly how each section works, and practice under timed conditions repeatedly. By test day, the format feels familiar and manageable, which significantly reduces anxiety. You'll also learn stress-management strategies specific to standardized testing.

Varsity Tutors connects students in El Paso with experienced ACT prep tutors who understand the test inside and out. You'll be matched with a tutor based on your specific needs, learning style, and goals. Whether you need comprehensive 8-week prep or focused help on particular sections, you can get personalized instruction designed around your schedule and pacing.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to understand your current strengths and weaknesses, a review of your testing history (if any), and a conversation about your target score and timeline. From there, your tutor will outline a customized study plan for the 8 weeks ahead, explain the test format and scoring, and often give you initial practice materials to start building familiarity with ACT question types.