Pacing is the #1 struggle for most test-takers—you have just 60 minutes to solve 60 questions, which means less than a minute per problem. Many students also struggle with recognizing which strategy to use quickly, managing test anxiety, and avoiding careless mistakes on problems they actually know how to solve. A tutor can help you develop efficient problem-solving techniques, practice time management under pressure, and build the confidence that comes from consistent practice.

The best way is to take a full-length practice test under timed conditions, then review which questions you missed and why—was it a knowledge gap, a timing issue, or a misunderstanding of the question format? Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can analyze your practice test results to pinpoint exactly which algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or word problem skills need work. From there, you can create a focused study plan instead of trying to review everything.

Your first session focuses on understanding your goals, assessing your current skills, and identifying weak areas through practice problems or past test results. From there, tutoring sessions typically mix targeted skill-building (learning or reviewing specific concepts), practice problems with immediate feedback, and test-taking strategy work. Your tutor will help you develop a study schedule between sessions and track your progress on practice tests to make sure you're moving toward your target score.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests spaced throughout their preparation period—ideally under timed, test-like conditions. The first practice test helps establish a baseline and identify weak areas, while later tests let you track improvement and refine your strategy. Between full tests, targeted practice on specific topics is more efficient than drilling random problems. Your tutor can recommend which practice tests to prioritize and help you review mistakes strategically.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty—not knowing if you'll recognize the problem types or manage your time. Working with a tutor builds confidence through repeated exposure to real ACT problems, timed practice, and proven strategies that you can rely on under pressure. Your tutor can also teach you specific techniques to manage stress during the test, like which problems to skip and come back to, and how to pace yourself so you're not rushing. Knowing you've practiced extensively and have a solid plan reduces anxiety significantly.

If you're starting 3-4 months before test day, consistent tutoring 1-2 times per week gives you enough time to address weak areas and build test-taking confidence. If you're closer to test day, more frequent sessions (2-3 times weekly) can still help, but you'll focus more on strategy and practice rather than learning new content. Your tutor can help you create a realistic timeline based on your current score, target score, and how much time you can dedicate to studying between sessions.

Look for someone with strong math expertise who understands the ACT format specifically—not just general math knowledge. Your tutor should be able to explain why each answer is correct, teach efficient problem-solving strategies, and adapt to your learning style. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors in Ogden who have proven experience helping students improve their ACT Math scores and can work around your schedule. A good fit means someone who keeps you accountable, tracks your progress, and adjusts the plan based on what's working.