Bring your “A” game
to the ACT exam.

Walk into test day with unshakable confidence and walk out with the score you want. Proper preparation is key to achieving your goals and getting results that demonstrate your abilities.

ACT Success Starts With Guided Support

Navigating test preparation on your own can be overwhelming. Our team of ACT-specialized tutors is uniquely adept at helping you achieve the improvement you want to see. Through years of experience working with students like you, they have developed innovative teaching methods proven to help students achieve their ACT goals.

Test Prep

Our ACT Approach

Gaining confidence begins with understanding what the test makers are looking for. This exam varies slightly from the SAT in that it offers a science section and tests more technical math concepts. Good time management and pacing are also critical to success on the ACT. Our 1-on-1 tutors regularly work with students at varying levels and will meet you where you’re at to develop a personalized set of tactics. We take a holistic approach to ACT and all standardized test prep. The cornerstones of our proven process include three components:

  1. Mastery of Content

  2. Test-Taking Strategies

  3. Applied Psychology

Our methodology ensures every student experiences benefits, wherever they’re at in their test prep journey.

Learn more about our approach and values.

Holistic Support

You’ve begun your journey to college, and perhaps it’s a little overwhelming. The good news is you don’t have to do it alone. Our community of tutors and dedicated staff are nuanced in supporting students as they pursue the college of their dreams. From test preparation to application essay support and beyond, our knowledgeable experts will create a private tutoring plan that is designed specifically for you to reach your goals.

 Sample Session

Watch Our ACT Prep in Action

In this session, our ACT tutor guides a student through strategies for the ACT Science test. After checking in about assigned homework, the tutor initiates a lesson about conflicting viewpoints passages from The North Avenue Guide to the ACT, with example problems and live annotation to support the student’s learning.

ACT or SAT?
Make the right choice.

The ACT rewards quick recall and breadth of knowledge, while the SAT rewards critical thinking and depth of knowledge. The other significant difference between the two is the timing. The ACT gives you less time for each question, making pace a more critical factor. Students who excel in math and sciences may find the ACT best suited to their skillset. For more info, access our SAT-versus-ACT resource at left.

Still deciding which test is right for you? Contact us for additional insight.

The North Avenue Guide to the ACT (ebook)
$50.00

An innovative, science-backed approach to testing and college preparedness, written and compiled by our team of expert tutors.

Included with enrollment in 1:1 ACT prep or an ACT Small Group class.

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Practice Tests
Practice makes perfect.

Practice and exposure to test-taking conditions are integral to each student’s tutoring process. Our proctored practice tests both establish baseline scores and provide an opportunity for in-depth analysis of results, helping your tutor develop test-taking strategies tailored to your specific needs.

We strongly recommend practice tests to every student. If you don’t see your test in the format you prefer, contact us to discuss options.

ACT Test Sections & Scoring

The ACT consists of four multiple-choice sections, plus an optional essay. These sections always appear in the same order: English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing (essay).

English

  1. Measures students’ knowledge of the rules of punctuation, grammar, style, and usage

  2. 45 minutes / 5 passages / 75 questions

Math

  1. Measures students’ conceptual math knowledge and problem-solving skills

  2. 60 minutes / 60 questions

  3. Content ranges from pre-algebra and number theory through Algebra 2

  4. Most graphing calculators allowed

  5. Questions ordered from easiest to most difficult

Reading

  1. Measures students’ ability to efficiently read and comprehend college-level texts

  2. 35 minutes / 4 passages / 40 questions

  3. Passage genres include Literary Narrative, Social Sciences, Humanities, Natural Science

  4. Includes one comparative reading exercise, consisting of 2 passages (labeled “Passage A” and “Passage B”)

Science

  1. Measures students’ ability to process and evaluate scientific concepts and information

  2. 35 minutes / 7 passages / 40 questions

  3. Involves interpretation and analysis of text, graphs, tables, and charts; some outside knowledge of science subject matter is required

Writing

  1. Measures students’ critical thinking, analytical, and writing skills

  2. 40 minutes / 1 prompt

  3. Students must address and analyze three perspectives on a social issue

Scoring

  1. Each section is scored on a 1–36 point scale. Section scores are then averaged and rounded to the nearest whole number to calculate a Composite score. Because each test is equated to produce a unique scoring curve, raw scores do not translate to the same scaled scores across different tests.

  2. The optional ACT Writing section does not impact a student’s Composite score but is scored separately across four domains: Ideas and Analysis, Development and Support, Organization, and Language Use and Conventions. The domain scores are then averaged to yield an overall Writing score on a 2–12 scale.

 Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Colleges and universities in the United States have no preference which test students submit. The perception that only SAT is accepted at some institutions is misguided. (With a few exceptions, this is true internationally, as well.)

  • Most students take the ACT two or three times. We recommend pursuing a serious program of study before taking the ACT for the first time. Retesting within 3-6 months is often part of a sophisticated testing strategy, and can help students manage ACT prep homework or navigate tricky sports schedules. However, retesting without additional preparation rarely yields better results.

  • Superscoring entails considering only the highest test section scores achieved across multiple test dates. Most colleges and universities follow this general policy for SAT; until recently, many did not superscore the ACT. However, ACT will begin sending superscored score reports this fall, which should ensure more schools adopt this policy for ACT.

    There are a few schools that recommend students submit all test scores; students are advised to craft their college lists early in order to develop a successful testing strategy.

  • Very few schools require the ACT Essay, but many more recommend it. Our counsel is that if students are open to developing their writing skills and scoring highly on this test component, it’s likely to be an asset in their application portfolio.

  • The PreACT is a shorter, condensed version of the ACT intended for 10th graders and younger. The PreACT is only administered when a school has contracted with ACT to provide it. Many students benefit from early test-taking practice as it provides both exposure to the test format and insight into whether the test aligns with their skillsets. If students haven’t taken the PreACT, they should consider taking a practice ACT instead.

  • While some schools offer the ACT during the school day as part of the State and District Testing program, most students will need to register for the ACT via ACT, Inc.’s website and take the exam on a Saturday. Find more info about how to register for the official ACT on our Client Support page.

  • We do not offer score increase guarantees, nor do we track official scores or report on average gains. Each student’s journey looks very different – from where they start to how long they prepare to how committed they are to improving. What we do guarantee is that every student will get the best support possible, that we will be transparent throughout the process, and that we will be a reliable source of encouragement and information.

    We will also be adaptive to whatever needs or challenges arrive. Students will work with their instructor to set reasonable goals, and for those ready to put in the work, significant gains are attainable.

  • Hourly 1:1 ACT prep starts at $180/session. Read more about pricing and packages.

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