The ACT is a 3-hour and 35-minute college admissions exam (or 2 hours and 55 minutes without the optional essay).
Our ACT Tutoring Program
Our approach to the ACT is educational; we teach the core concepts in grammar, math, reading, science, and writing that comprise the foundation of material tested on the ACT. After completing our comprehensive program, students are not only prepared to succeed on the ACT but also see improvements across all their academic work.
Throughout our long-term, rigorous ACT program, students will have weekly meetings, complete homework assignments, and take full-length, proctored practice tests, all helping them learn, practice, and master the material. Students reach a deep understanding of ACT’s underlying concepts and develop efficient problem-solving strategies for every type of question on the test.
Contact us to speak to a program consultant to discuss your goals and schedule a diagnostic ACT.
Program Length
We recommend that students prepare for the ACT for at least a year before taking their first official test. The precise length of our ACT program depends on several factors, including:
- the student's tutoring needs
- when the student begins working with us
- the student's goals
- the number of meetings the student has with the tutor each week
- the date when the student plans to take the official test
English Test
We teach grammatical and syntactical principles as well as idiomatic expression and rhetoric, and we train students to develop a critical eye for editing what they read. Students often find that the skills that help them improve their accuracy on the ACT English Test also improve their writing in their other academic work.
Mathematics Test
We emphasize the principles underlying the recurring math question types on the ACT. Students practice these concepts in targeted worksheets, problem sets, and summary reviews. Our tutors also show students how to use their calculator effectively on the math section.
Reading Test
Through our ACT program, students will learn how to understand college-level reading material in a range of subject areas. We help students become more attuned to the significance of word choice and more adept with methods for discerning an author's meaning—skills that are useful for the ACT and in students’ continued academic careers.
Science Test
Our students become familiar with basic concepts in biology, chemistry, earth and space sciences, and physics so that they can process any given scientific information efficiently and accurately. Our science materials emphasize interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating scientific text and data.
Writing Test (optional)
We emphasize the fundamental structure and fluidity of expression inherent in a strong written composition. Through essay practice, students gain confidence in expressing and developing their ideas in an organized and well-written essay with limited time to reflect upon the topic and perspectives.
Should students take the SAT or the ACT?
All major colleges accept the SAT and the ACT with equal preference. When deciding whether to take the SAT or the ACT, students should not speculate. Diagnostic testing and routine practice will dictate which test is best suited for the individual student.
We generally recommend that students complete a few months of tutoring before selecting to prepare for either the SAT or ACT. During this period, each student should take an SAT and an ACT diagnostic test. The results of the diagnostics in addition the student’s preferences and goals will help us advise an appropriate test regimen.
In the first few months of the program, our tutors focus on imparting the core material—including math concepts, grammar rules, and reading skills—relevant to both the SAT and the ACT. After deciding which test better suits each student’s goals and abilities, our tutors will incorporate materials specific to the student's chosen test and develop a rigorous practice test schedule.
What are the differences between the SAT and the ACT?
The ACT and the SAT are both prominent college admissions tests. Both assess the educational development of high school students and the ability to perform college level work. However, the ACT and the SAT are different educational instruments with different emphases.
|
|
SAT |
ACT |
|
Scoring |
400–1600 composite scale |
1–36 composite scale |
|
Test Length |
3 hours |
2 hours and 55 minutes + 40-minute optional essay |
|
Reading |
52 questions in 65 minutes Passage-based reading comprehension Informational graphics included |
40 questions in 35 minutes Passage-based reading comprehension |
|
English |
44 questions in 35 minutes Passage-based testing of grammar, usage, syntax, rhetoric, & punctuation Informational graphics included |
75 questions in 45 minutes Passage-based testing of grammar, usage, syntax, rhetoric, & punctuation |
|
Math |
No Calculator Section: 20 questions in 25 minutes (including 5 grid-in questions) Calculator Section: 38 questions in 55 minutes (including 8 grid-in questions) Trigonometry, radians, volumes, complex numbers, congruence & similarity, simple rational expressions, higher order equations, circle-related topics Emphasis on algebra, problem solving and data analysis, and certain advanced math topics |
60 questions in 60 minutes Can used approved calculator All multiple choice Arithmetic, algebra I & II, planar and coordinate geometry, trigonometry and precalculus including functions, conic sections, combinations & permutations, logarithms, and matrices |
|
Science |
No Science Section Science questions throughout the Reading, Writing & Language, and Math Tests |
40 questions in 35 minutes Interpretation and application of scientific data presented in tables, pie charts, bar graphs, scatter plots, etc. |
|
Essay |
No essay |
40 minutes Optional Writing and composition, analysis and development of an argument 4 scores:
|
|
Other |
No penalty for incorrect answers |
No penalty for incorrect answers |
How do SAT and ACT scores compare?
Concordance tools and tables are provided on the official SAT website.
|
Section |
Number of Questions |
Minutes Per Section |
Content |
|
English Test |
75 Questions |
45 Minutes |
Grammar, syntax, usage, rhetoric |
|
Mathematics Test |
60 Questions |
60 Minutes |
Arithmetic, algebra I and II, planar and coordinate geometry, trigonometry, precalculus including functions, conic sections, combinations and permutations, logarithms, matrices (calculators permitted) |
|
Reading Test |
40 Questions |
35 Minutes |
Reading comprehension based on four separate passages or passage sets |
|
Science Test |
40 Questions |
35 Minutes |
Interpretation of scientific data presented in texts, tables, charts, and graphs |
|
Writing Test (optional) |
1 Prompt |
40 Minutes |
Essay composition |
Download ACT Format and Timing as a PDF.
How is the ACT Scored?
- Each subject area test is scaled from 1 to 36. These four scores are then averaged to provide a composite score from 1 to 36.
- The optional Writing Test receives four scores (in Ideas & Analysis, Development & Support, Organization, and Language Use & Conventions) from 2–12. These scores are averaged for an overall Writing Test score of 2–12.
- The ACT does not deduct points for incorrect answers.
When is the ACT Taken?
The ACT is offered in September, October, December, February, April, June, and July, although the July administration is not available in all locations. We recommend that most students take the ACT in the spring of their junior year and/or in the fall of their senior year.
Upcoming ACT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines
|
Test Date |
Registration Deadline |
Late Registration Deadline |
| October 28, 2023 | September 22, 2023 | October 6, 2023 |
| December 9, 2023 | November 3, 2023 | November 17, 2023 |
| February 10, 2024 | January 5, 2024 | January 19, 2024 |
| April 13, 2024 | March 8, 2024 | March 22, 2024 |
| June 8, 2024 | May 3, 2024 | May 17, 2024 |
| July 13, 2024* | June 7, 2024 | June 21, 2024 |
*No test centers are scheduled in New York for the July test date.
To download this information as a PDF, click here.
For information about international testing, click here.
Tutors in Washington DC
Tutor of: SAT, ACT, LSAT, GMAT, GRE, SSAT, ISEE, Bar Exam; and more
J.D. from Yale Law School.
M.F.A. from University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.
B.A./B.S. in English and Film & Television from Boston University.
Mary Pickford Scholar; Phi Beta Kappa; Boston University Trustee Scholar; Florida Keys Emerging Playwright; Kodak Film Scholar.
Tutor of: SAT, ACT, LSAT, GMAT, GRE, SSAT, ISEE; and more
M.B.A. in Marketing and Strategic Planning from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Sc.B. in Applied Mathematics and Economics from Brown University.
Director of Advantage Testing of Washington D.C.
Tutor of: SAT, ACT, GMAT, GRE, SSAT, ISEE; and more
M.Ed. in Secondary Education from The George Washington University.
B.A., magna cum laude, in English and French from Vanderbilt University.
Dean’s List; National French Honor Society; National Merit Letter of Commendation; ETS Recognition of Excellence for Outstanding Score on Praxis II: English Language.