Are you ready to unlock the doors to your dream college after high school? Did you know that the ACT test can be the key to securing your spot with college admissions at top universities?
In this highly competitive landscape, where countless accomplished students vie for limited spots, standardized tests like the ACT have gained immense importance in evaluating your academic ranking. Test prep courses and study guides can make all the difference in getting your test scores into a higher percentile.
Securing higher scores in the ACT exam can play a huge role in helping you gain acceptance into your desired colleges, making it vital to choose a high-quality ACT prep course that maximizes your chances of success. Whether you're looking for a hardcore boot camp, private tutoring, or ACT prep classes, there are tons of options to help you achieve the score increase you're looking for.
Get the best study help from these resources developed by ACT prep experts:
1. Kaplan
Kaplan is a reputable test prep company that offers an ACT course designed to improve your test-taking skills and boost your scores. You've probably seen or heard of Kaplan's services if you haven't already used them.
This program includes comprehensive study materials, practice tests, and online resources. Flexibility is the name of the game. With Kaplan, you choose between self-paced online courses, live online classes, or 1-on-1 tutoring.
Their expert instructors provide valuable insights and strategies to help you excel in each section of the ACT. Kaplan offers different pricing options, and they provide a money-back guarantee if you don't see score improvements.
There are three options to choose from:
Self-Paced ACT Prep Course
- $159
- 30 on-demand lessons led by experienced teachers
- 5 official ACT practice tests
- Access to a customizable question bank with over 2,000 ACT questions
- 6 months of access to course materials
Live Online ACT Prep Course
- $649
- 5 official ACT practice tests
- Customizable question bank with 2,000+ ACT questions
- Lessons taught by instructors scoring in the 99th percentile
- Includes an ACT prep e-book
- 6 months of access to resources
Online Tutoring ACT Prep Course
- $849
- Flexible options for 5, 10, 20, 30, or 40 hours of one-on-one tutoring
- 7+ hours of on-demand video lessons
- 5 official ACT practice tests
- Access to a customizable question bank with 2,000+ ACT questions
- Personalized homework assignments tailored by your tutor
2. Princeton Review
When it comes to ACT test prep, The Princeton Review offers a comprehensive ACT prep course with a focus on personalized instruction. Their program includes live online or in-person classes, on-demand video lessons, practice tests, and study materials.
Expert instructors from The Princeton Review will guide you through the content and prep books to teach you effective strategies to tackle the ACT. With their score improvement guarantee, you can be confident in seeing results from their program.
The pricing for their courses and ACT tutoring varies based on the options you choose, allowing you to find a package that suits your needs and budget.
They also offer a score guarantee, ensuring that you see results. The pricing for their courses varies based on the options you choose:
ACT 34+ Tutoring
- $420 per hour
- Rigorous one-on-one tutoring tailored for students targeting a top 1% score
- Available online and in person
ACT 31+ Tutoring
- $2,199
- Guaranteed to achieve a 31+ score or improve your score by 5 points
- Online and in-person options available
Essentials ACT Prep
- $949
- Focuses on mastering the ACT's core concepts to ensure success
- Available online and in person
Private Tutoring
- $175 per hour
- Personalized one-on-one sessions designed to boost your score
- Online and in-person options available
3. Testive
Testive is an online ACT prep program that combines personalized coaching with adaptive learning technology. Unlike other programs, Testive doesn't list pricing upfront because their approach is fully customized. Here's how it works:
- You schedule a consultation to discuss your goals, learning style, time frame, and any questions you might have.
- Based on that consultation, Testive develops a custom study plan tailored to your unique needs.
- You follow the plan with one-on-one support from an experienced tutor who provides personalized guidance throughout your ACT preparation.
The program includes practice ACT questions, video lessons, and progress-tracking tools. Testive also offers flexible plans to accommodate different levels of support, allowing you to choose the package that best aligns with your needs and budget.
4. Magoosh
Magoosh offers an affordable and accessible ACT prep course that includes video lessons, practice questions, and study schedules. Their online platform allows you to study at your own pace and provides detailed explanations for each question.
Magoosh's self-paced courses also offer a score improvement guarantee. With its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing, Magoosh helps self-motivated students squeeze every ounce from their course materials.
Choose from these options:
Self-Paced Premium (12 Months)
- $129
- Over 1,300 practice questions with video or text explanations for every question
- Up to 4 full-length practice tests
- More than 250 video lessons covering key topics
- Curated study schedules to keep you on track
- 4-point score improvement guarantee
- 7-day money-back guarantee
- Access to expert ACT tutors for online help
- Data-driven score predictions
- Smart progress tracking
Guided Study: Premium + On-Demand Classes
- $399
- 12 months of access to Magoosh ACT Prep premium content and features
- Engaging classes led by a 99th-percentile ACT instructor
- 16 hours of supplemental instruction on key topics
5. PrepScholar
PrepScholar's ACT prep course focuses on personalized learning. Their program adapts to your strengths and weaknesses, providing targeted lessons and practice materials.
PrepScholar offers interactive video lessons, thousands of practice questions, and progress-tracking tools. Their expert tutors and live instructors provide guidance and feedback to help you improve your scores.
PrepScholar offers different pricing options, including a score guarantee if you don't see improvements.
Complete Online ACT Prep
- $495
- Self-paced adaptive program with 70 skill lessons and 4,300+ realistic practice questions
- Covers all test sections while focusing on areas where you need the most help
- Includes 6 official ACT practice tests
- 4-point score improvement guarantee
- Customized weekly prep plan
- 60+ hours of online prep content
Instructor-Led Classes + Complete Online ACT Prep
- $895
- Everything included in the Complete Online ACT Prep package
- Small, interactive classes led by expert instructors
- Real-time question-and-answer sessions in an online classroom setting
- 4-point score improvement guarantee
- Customized weekly prep plan
- 60+ hours of online prep content
1-on-1 Online Tutoring + Complete Online ACT Prep
- Starting at $995
- Everything included in the Complete Online ACT Prep package
- 1-on-1 tutoring with a 99th-percentile ACT tutor
- Flexible options for 4, 12, 20, or 36 hours of private tutoring
- 4-point score improvement guarantee
- Customized weekly prep plan
- 60+ hours of online prep content
6. Achievable
Welcome to a learning program that learns from you. Achievable is a unique ACT prep course that combines expert content with adaptive learning technology. Their $129 program includes an easy-to-understand online textbook paired with interactive lessons, quizzes, and practice tests.
Achievable's adaptive learning system adjusts the difficulty of the questions based on your performance, ensuring that you focus on areas that need improvement. The program also provides detailed explanations for each question and tracks your progress.
Achievable offers a money-back guarantee if you don't achieve your target score.
ACT preparation tips
If knowledge is half the battle, being prepared is its counterpart. You need a game plan going into your testing. Here are some tips when preparing for the ACT.
- Create a study plan. Develop a structured study schedule that allows you to cover all the ACT sections and topics before the test date.
- Take practice tests. Familiarize yourself with the ACT format and timing by taking full-length practice tests. Analyze your results to identify areas that require more focus.
- Focus on weak areas. Identify the subjects or question types you struggle with and allocate more study time to improve your skills in those areas.
- Use online resources. Take advantage of online resources, such as interactive practice questions, video lessons, and tutorials, to supplement your study material.
- Review content areas. Ensure you have a solid understanding of key concepts, formulas, grammar rules, and vocabulary tested in the ACT.
- Develop time management skills. Practice pacing yourself during practice exams to improve your speed and efficiency on the actual test day.
- Seek guidance. Consider enrolling in an ACT prep course or working with a tutor who can provide expert guidance and help you enhance your test-taking strategies.
Tips for taking the ACT
It's test day, and you've done the hard work of studying and preparing. Now it's time to put your ACT classes to the test and remember these essential tips to help you succeed on the big day.
- Read instructions carefully. Before diving into each section, take a few moments to thoroughly read the instructions. Pay attention to any specific requirements or restrictions to ensure you understand what is expected of you. This will help you avoid unnecessary mistakes and confusion.
- Pace yourself. Remember that the ACT is a timed test, so managing your time is crucial. Don't get stuck on difficult questions for too long. Instead, make a note and come back to them if you have time left at the end. Prioritize answering the questions you can confidently tackle first.
- Guess strategically. If you encounter a question where you're unsure of the correct answer, don't panic. Use the process of elimination to eliminate obviously incorrect options. Then, make an educated guess among the remaining choices. Remember, there is no penalty for guessing, so never leave a question unanswered.
- Review your answers. If time permits, go back and review your answers. Check for any careless errors or overlooked details that may impact your ACT score. Even a quick scan can help you catch any mistakes you might have made. Stay vigilant and use this time wisely.
- Stay focused. Throughout the test, maintain concentration and avoid getting flustered by challenging questions. Stay confident in your abilities and trust in the preparation you have done. You'll perform your best when you're focused and composed.
2025 ACT test dates
Below are the ACT test dates for 2025:
Test date |
Registration deadline |
February 8, 2025 |
January 3, 2025 |
April 5, 2025 |
February 28, 2025 |
June 14, 2025 |
May 9, 2025 |
July 12, 2025* |
June 6, 2025 |
*The July 12, 2025 test date may not be available in all locations.
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Best of luck on your ACT journey and in finding the perfect college!