The ACT (American College Test) exam tests students on what they have learned in high school to determine if they are academically ready for college. There are 4 main ACT sections students will be tested on: English, Reading, Math and Science. There is also an optional writing test. Not all colleges require the writing test, so check with applicable colleges to determine if it is necessary.

The ACT takes 2 hours, 55 minutes to complete (plus an extra 40 minutes if you are taking the writing portion). We help prepare students’ brains to be focused on one section at a time, as well as teach them tips and tricks to successfully complete the exam.

English

Students have 45 minutes to read five passages and complete 75 multiple-choice questions for the English portion of the exam. They will be measured on their ability to understand the English language, as well as the skills needed to write well. During our tutoring sessions, we will dissect each area covered to make sure they have a good understanding of punctuation, grammar usage, sentence structure, organization, word choice, style, and more for effective writing.

Reading

Students have 35 minutes to read four sections and complete 40 multiple-choice questions for the Reading portion of the ACT. They will be measured on reading comprehension that they will regularly come across in their first year of college. In our tutoring sessions, we will go over the four different types of passages covered on the exam: Prose Fiction, Social Studies, Humanities, and Natural Science. We will teach students what to look for in each type of passage, where to look for it, and how to apply this information when answering the questions. Ultimately, we will help them learn to summarize ideas, make appropriate decisions after evaluating information, determine the difference between facts and opinions, and more.

Math

For the Math portion of the ACT, students have 60 minutes to solve 60 problems by using algebra, geometry or trigonometry. They will be measured on their knowledge and understanding of mathematics, which they have developed throughout their high school classes. Although all the math problems can be solved without a calculator, students are allowed to use one (make sure it is on the list of approved calculators). In our tutoring sessions, we will help students develop their mathematically reasoning ability, as well as review all math categories addressed on the test to ensure they are prepared.

Science

Students have 35 minutes to complete 40 questions for the Science portion of the ACT. They will be measured on the information they learned in high school biology, chemistry, physics, earth science and space science classes. The information for the exam will be displayed in three different ways: by data representation (graphs, tables, etc.), by research summaries (related experiments), or by differing viewpoints. In our tutoring sessions, we will help students learn how to recognize, examine and understand the information given, as well as learn how to draw conclusions, develop hypotheses and make predictions needed to answer questions correctly.

Writing

Students have 40 minutes to complete the writing portion of the exam (if they choose to do it). This portion of the exam will not impact the multiple-choice tests or composite score. They will be measured on the writing skills developed throughout high school, including their ability to come up with and evaluate ideas efficiently. A topic will be described at the beginning of the writing section, and three different viewpoints will be listed. In our tutoring sessions, we will teach them the best ways to organize their ideas, effectively write engaging and clear opinions, and use correct written language.