Our Professional Academic and Test Prep Tutors Are Now Online!
Session Structure
We meet with you for eight, nine, or ten weekly sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. As homework, we assign a mix of full-length practice tests and 90-minute assignments.
ACT prep program
Course Content
We cover test-taking skills and ACT content, including question interpretation, guessing strategy, time management, algebra concepts, geometric reasoning, reading comprehension, grammar, and essay writing.
Materials
We have crafted proprietary ACT prep materials, updated continuously, to reflect the current content and best strategies on the test. Our materials are comprehensive, and they can easily be customized to your needs.
About the ACT
What does the ACT measure?
The ACT assesses educational development and readiness to pursue college-level coursework in English, mathematics, natural science, and social studies. The Science Test, which does not directly correspond to any SAT section, is a 40-question, 35-minute test that measures the skills required in the natural sciences: interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem solving.
Is the ACT a fast-paced test?
Yes. Most students have difficulty finishing the test within the allotted time. Doing well on the ACT requires students to deal with the pressure of time limits, moving swiftly and efficiently through dense passages using techniques such as skimming and scanning. As a result, our ACT prep includes significant focus on timing strategy.
How does tutoring help?
Tutoring can provide an enormous advantage by teaching students how to maintain focus, manage their time and energy for the duration of the exam, and answer questions accurately and efficiently.
We help you prepare for the ACT by:
Setting Tangible Goals
People often ask, “What is a good score?” Simply put, a “good score” is one that fits the admissions profiles for the colleges where you’ve chosen to apply. We’ll meet you on your level – whatever that may be – and help you achieve your personal best on test day.
Making a Study Plan
We’ll work with you and your parents to create an optimized personal study plan for time in session and at home. Test preparation is a process, and we’ll help you learn how to study long-term.
Addressing Content Weaknesses
Rather than just telling you the correct answers, we strive to get to know your thinking process and understand what makes sense to you. Your tutor will diagnose your weaknesses and prioritize where to spend energy so that you’ll realize the biggest gains in your score.
Providing Strong Study Materials
Our professional materials have proven effective for diverse learning styles and skill levels. We start with our comprehensive materials and then customize our approach with further packets to help you reach your goal scores.
Helping You Learn From Your Mistakes
We review missed questions, digging into the underlying causes of mistakes. Then, we work with you to create a specific plan for the test, helping you overcome obstacles and avoid the same errors in the future.
Measuring Your Progress
Our 1-on-1 ACT students may attend proctored practice exams at our offices any Saturday, and many Sundays, at no additional cost. Most of our students take 3 to 5 practice exams, which are scored and reviewed with their tutors in session.
ACT frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How do I register for the ACT?
You can register for the ACT on the ACT Website
Do schools accept both the SAT and ACT?
Yes. All four-year colleges accept both the ACT and SAT. From a college’s perspective the tests are interchangeable.
- Note: A few colleges (for example, Cal Poly) prefer the ACT to the SAT.
Do you update your materials to address changes in the ACT's content and format?
The ACT has a philosophy of constant improvement to the test. As such, it frequently makes small changes to the content and structure of the exam between test dates, often doing so without public announcement.
Recent changes include:
- The occasional “double passage” on the Reading section (two short passages replace one of the longer passages)
- The appearance of a few questions that include advanced math concepts like matrices
- The reduction in number of science passages on the Science section from 7 to 6
Our team is on it! We continually modify our curriculum and tutoring strategies as the test evolves. Our program is designed to give you an edge.
Is the ACT easier than the SAT?
The ACT is easier than the SAT in that students typically answer a higher percentage of questions correctly on the ACT. A student scoring in the 50th percentile of ACT test-takers answers about 60% of the questions correctly. A student scoring in the 50th percentile on the SAT answers about 50% of the questions correctly.
As result, students often subjectively prefer the ACT to the SAT because it “feels easier.” However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it is the better fit. The real question is: how do your ACT and SAT scores compare, and how do they compare to the scores of other test-takers?
We can help you determine which test is a better fit for you. Give us a call at (650) 331-3251 to discuss!
How long is the ACT?
The ACT is a 2-hour and 55-minute test. The ACT with writing includes an additional 40-minute essay at the end of the multiple choice portion.
How many sections are on the ACT?
The ACT has four sections: English, math, reading, and science, each worth 36 points. The ACT with writing has an additional essay.
Should I take the ACT with writing?
The writing section (essay) on the ACT is technically optional. However, almost all colleges require students to submit an ACT report with writing section scores. Therefore, you should register for the ACT with writing.
What is a good score on the ACT?
A good ACT score is one that matches the admissions profiles of the colleges that would be a good fit for you. To see how competitive your ACT score is, visit any college’s website and look at the acceptance statistics from the previous year.
A college publishes score ranges in one of two ways: as an average or as 25th/75th percentile.
- The average ACT score is the average score of all admitted students.
- The 25th percentile ACT score means that 25% of admitted students scored at or below that number and 75% scored above it. The 75th percentile ACT score means that 75% of those accepted scored at or below that number and 25% scored above it.
Meet some of our ACT experts!
Asia Raab
ACT Tutor
“As a top-rated Bay Area SAT and ACT tutor, I modify lessons to the needs of the individual learner, target and assess problems in understanding, and communicate strategies for cracking the code of standardized tests. This focus on individualizing my students’ preparation results in average score improvements of over 150 points.””
Devin Shoop
ACT Tutor
“In my free time, I enjoy reading, running, playing basketball, writing fictional horror stories, and debating the superiority of the Star Wars, Game of Thrones, and Harry Potter universes with friends and family.”
ACT Tutor
“When it comes to tutoring, I believe that a customized approach is most important.”
Peninsula Main Phone Number (650) 331-3251
