An ACT test prep course is a structured program delivering systematic instruction across English, Math, Reading, and Science through diagnostic testing, topic-based practice, and mock exams. Structured courses help students identify weaknesses, master high-frequency topics, and develop time management skills essential for the ACT’s fast pace.
What is ACT?
The ACT is a standardized college admissions exam with sections testing English, Math, Reading, and Science (optional on digital format), plus optional Writing. Accepted by all U.S. universities and internationally, the ACT is available in both paper and digital formats.
Paper ACT vs Digital ACT:
| Format | Total Questions | Total Time | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|---|
Paper ACT |
215 |
2 hr 55 min |
Science required; national test dates only |
Digital ACT |
131-171* |
2 hr 45 min |
Science optional; year-round testing at approved centers |
*Digital ACT question count: 131 (without Science) or 171 (with Science)
Digital ACT Section Structure:
| Section | Questions | Time | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
English |
50 |
35 min |
Grammar, rhetoric, transitions |
Math |
45 |
50 min |
Algebra, geometry, trigonometry |
Reading |
36 |
40 min |
Passage comprehension |
Science (Optional) |
40 |
40 min |
Data analysis, experiments |
Writing (Optional) |
1 Essay |
40 min |
Argumentative essay |
Paper ACT Section Structure:
| Section | Questions | Time | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
English |
75 |
45 min |
Grammar, rhetoric, transitions |
Math |
60 |
60 min |
Algebra, geometry, trigonometry |
Reading |
40 |
35 min |
Passage comprehension |
Science (Required) |
40 |
35 min |
Data analysis, experiments |
Writing (Optional) |
1 Essay |
40 min |
Argumentative essay |
Critical timing: Digital ACT requires 42-67 seconds per question depending on section. Paper ACT requires 36-60 seconds per question. Both formats use a linear format (non-adaptive).
Score context: National average is 19.5-20. Competitive colleges expect 26-31, highly selective schools require 32-36.
ACT vs SAT: Which Test Should Students Take?
Before starting prep, help students choose the right test using diagnostic assessments.
Quick Comparison:
| Factor | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
Duration |
2 hr 45 min |
2 hr 14 min |
Questions |
171 |
98 |
Pacing |
Fast (49-53 sec/question) |
Moderate (82-85 sec/question) |
Math |
Broader (includes trig) |
Algebra-focused |
Science |
Full section |
None |
Format |
Linear |
Adaptive |
Recommend ACT for students who:
- Work quickly under time pressure
- Excel with data/graphs/charts
- Are comfortable with geometry and trigonometry
- Read quickly without sacrificing comprehension
Recommend SAT for students who:
- Prefer more time per question
- Are stronger in algebra and functions
- Read slowly and carefully
- Perform better with adaptive testing
Best practice: Have students take both diagnostics and compare results. A 2+ point ACT advantage or 50+ point SAT advantage indicates the better choice.
What Should an ACT Prep Course Include?
1. Diagnostic Testing (Foundation)
Start with a full-length ACT diagnostic to:
- Establish baseline composite score (1-36)
- Identify topic-level weaknesses
- Reveal pacing issues
- Generate personalized learning paths
Without diagnostics, tutors teach blindly. The diagnostic creates your roadmap.
2. Core Components:
MentoMind’s ACT Course Provides:
- 1,000+ practice questions organized by topic and difficulty
- 3 full-length tests matching real exam conditions
- AI chatbot (Mento) for 24/7 instant help
- Auto-graded assignments with detailed analytics
- Performance dashboards tracking progress by topic
- White-label options (your brand, logo, domain)
Instruction Structure:
- 25-30 hours concept lessons (15-30 min modules)
- Topic practice: Beginner → Intermediate → Advanced → Mastery
- Weekly quizzes and assessments
- 3-4 full-length mock tests
- Error-based revision with AI assistance
Platform tools: How to Turn PDFs Into Auto-Graded Assignments | AI Question Creation
How to Teach ACT Prep: 5-Step Method
Step 1: Diagnostic Testing
Administer full-length diagnostic, analyze by section/topic, create personalized learning plan, set realistic score targets.
Step 2: Teach High-Impact Topics First
English priorities: Subject-verb agreement (15-20%), punctuation (15-18%), transitions (10-12%)
Math priorities: Pre-algebra/elementary algebra (35-40%), plane geometry (20-25%), coordinate geometry (15-18%)
Reading priorities: Main idea (25-30%), inference (30-35%), vocabulary in context (15-20%)
Science priorities: Data representation (35-40%), research summaries (30-35%), conflicting viewpoints (15-20%)
Step 3: Topic-Based Practice
20-30 questions per difficulty level (Beginner → Intermediate → Advanced → Mastery). Students need 75-80% accuracy before advancing.
Step 4: Master Timing (Critical for ACT)
Digital ACT Timing:
| Section | Time Strategy |
|---|---|
English |
42 sec/question (50 questions, 35 min) |
Math |
67 sec/question (45 questions, 50 min) |
Reading |
67 sec/question (36 questions, 40 min) |
Science |
60 sec/question (40 questions, 40 min) – Optional |
Paper ACT Timing:
| Section | Time Strategy |
|---|---|
English |
36 sec/question (75 questions, 45 min) |
Math |
60 sec/question (60 questions, 60 min) |
Reading |
52 sec/question (40 questions, 35 min) |
Science |
52 sec/question (40 questions, 35 min) |
General timing strategies:
- English: Answer while reading, not after
- Math: First pass in 75% of allotted time
- Reading: 40% time reading, 60% answering questions
- Science: Start with graph-based questions, save conflicting viewpoints for last
Incorporate interval timers in one-third of sessions. Consistent pacing is essential for both formats.
Step 5: Error-Based Revision
MentoMind tracks mistakes automatically, creating personalized revision sets. Most improvement happens during targeted error review.
Assessment schedule: Weekly topic quizzes, bi-weekly section tests, mock tests every 10-14 days (3-4 total).
Platform tools: How to Turn PDFs Into Auto-Graded Assignments | AI Question Creation
How Long Should ACT Prep Last?
| Starting Score | Target Gain | Timeline | Total Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
25+ |
3-4 points |
4-6 weeks |
30-40 hours |
20-24 |
4-6 points |
8-10 weeks |
50-70 hours |
Below 20 |
6-9 points |
12-16 weeks |
80-100 hours |
Weekly schedule: 8-10 hours (4-6 guided instruction, 2-3 homework, 1-2 assessments)
Best start time: 3-6 months before test date. For top scores (32-36), begin 4-6 months early.
Why Use MentoMind’s ACT Course?
Benefits for Individual Tutors:
- Immediate Start: Begin teaching with expert content. No course creation needed.
- Time Savings: Save 15+ hours weekly with pre-built curriculum.
- White-Label Branding: Your domain, logo, and pricing structure.
- Business Tools: Free diagnostics for lead generation, parent-ready reports, flexible packages.
Benefits for Institutions:
- Scalability: Bulk licenses, multi-location dashboards, consistent curriculum across tutors.
- Quality Control: Real-time analytics identify struggling students instantly.
- Flexible Delivery: Self-paced, instructor-led, hybrid, or 1:1 support.
- Parent Communication: Shareable reports with progress visualization.
Common ACT Teaching Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Teaching content without timing drills → ✓ Include timed practice in one-third of sessions
❌ Starting full tests too early → ✓ Build foundational skills first (50-60% content before mocks)
❌ Neglecting Science section → ✓ Give extra attention to data interpretation speed
❌ Overassigning homework → ✓ Maintain 2-4 hours weekly to prevent burnout
❌ Allowing blank answers → ✓ Enforce no-blank-answers rule (no penalty for guessing)
❌ Weak error analysis → ✓ Spend 60-90 minutes debriefing each mock test
ACT Score Targets and Expectations
| Score Range | Percentile | College Category |
|---|---|---|
32-36 |
Top 5% |
Ivy League, top 20 universities |
28-31 |
Top 10% |
Top 50 universities, merit scholarships |
26-27 |
Top 20% |
State flagships, good scholarships |
23-25 |
Top 30% |
Most state schools, some scholarships |
20-22 |
Around 50% |
Many 4-year options |
Start Teaching ACT Prep with MentoMind
MentoMind’s expert-crafted ACT course provides tutors with 1,000+ practice questions, 3 full-length tests, comprehensive diagnostics, AI-powered support, and white-label flexibility. This eliminates course creation time while providing structured content for teaching.
Success starts with diagnostic testing, followed by systematic instruction through high-impact topics, extensive practice (20-30 questions per difficulty level), 3-4 mock tests, intensive timing drills, and AI-assisted error revision.
The ACT’s fast pacing makes timing practice essential. Students must master speed and accuracy simultaneously through dedicated drills.
Whether you’re an individual tutor or institution, MentoMind provides complete infrastructure: expert curriculum, analytics, reporting, and white-label options.
Student motivation resources: Manage Stress | You vs You | Make Small Progress
Frequently Asked Questions
Students starting above 25 need 4-6 weeks (30-40 hours), those at 20-24 need 8-10 weeks (50-70 hours), and those below 20 need 12-16 weeks (80-100 hours) based on diagnostic results.
The Digital ACT offers year-round testing flexibility and makes Science optional, while Paper ACT has fixed test dates and requires Science. Students should consider their schedule needs and whether they want to include the Science section. Both formats use the same scoring scale and are equally accepted by colleges.
Digital ACT advantages: Shorter test time (2 hr 45 min), optional Science, more test date availability Paper ACT advantages: Traditional format, all students take same test on same day
Start 3-6 months before test date. Students targeting 32-36 should begin 4-6 months early. Always begin with a comprehensive diagnostic test.
Students need 3-4 full-length tests throughout preparation, spaced 10-14 days apart. High-achieving students may benefit from 4-5 tests.
Score improvement varies based on starting score, study consistency, course completion rate, and number of practice tests taken. The diagnostic test helps set realistic improvement targets based on individual student needs and identified skill gaps.
Tutors cannot modify core 1,000+ questions but can add supplementary questions, create custom assignments, white-label the platform, and set their own pricing.
MentoMind offers 1,000+ expert questions, 3 full-length tests, AI-powered help, comprehensive analytics, and white-label options for tutors. These features provide structured learning paths and real-time progress tracking not available in free resources.
MentoMind provides real-time dashboards showing individual/batch performance, topic-level mastery, test score trends, time spent studying, and shareable parent reports.
Most colleges no longer require Writing. Check target universities’ requirements. Writing is recommended for education, law, health sciences, and journalism programs.
Most students take it 2-3 times: first for baseline, second after prep, third to fine-tune. Many colleges use superscoring (highest section scores from multiple attempts).
Yes, the ACT is accepted by universities in the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, and many other countries. Over 4,000 universities globally accept ACT scores, though availability of international test centers varies by region.
