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Many colleges still value the ACT for college admissions, and taking an ACT test prep course can help improve your score.
Although some colleges now give their students the option of not submitting a test score, it is still a good idea to take either the SAT or ACT. This can increase your chances of receiving a merit-based scholarship and help you reduce the cost of your tuition.
Students can choose to submit an SAT score, an ACT score, or both. While the tests are designed to assess a student's suitability for college-level coursework, some may find the structure of one test to be simpler than another.
If you're thinking about taking the ACT, you can also enroll in an ACT test prep course to help you prepare. In this article, we'll cover some of the best ACT test prep options available today to help you figure out which one is right for you.
Best for General Test Readiness: The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review is a household name when it comes to standardized testing and college admissions. In addition to courses to prepare for SAT and ACT exams, the company also offers one-on-one tutoring and advice on the college admissions process.
The ACT 31+ prep course is designed for students seeking an ACT score of 31 or higher. The Princeton Review guarantees you a 5 point increase in your score after just 36 classes. The course is taught by live instructors and includes practice exams and homework to help students retain everything they've learned.
ACT 31+ offers several enrollment options to fit your schedule. The course costs $1,899, with the option to enroll with a $299 deposit.
Read our review of The Princeton Review here.
Best for variety in class: Preparation expert
Prep Expert made waves after its founder appeared on Shark Tank and received endorsements from Mark Cuban. The company offers test preparation courses and tutoring for students as young as 8th grade.
Prep Expert offers four different ACT test prep options:
- 8-week capstone
- 6 week flagship
- Self-study video
- Weekend review
Compared to other test prep platforms, Prep Expert has unique search filters that make it easier for students to enroll in a course that meets their goals. Students can search for instructors who scored in the 99th percentile and the expected test date for the ACT exam.
The 6-week flagship course is the most popular option and starts at $839. The Weekend Review is a two-day course that costs about half as much as the flagship 6-week course. This is a good option for students looking for a quick refresher just before the exam.
Read our full PrepExpert review here.
Best for digestible study sessions: Magoosh
If taking a live course isn't right for you, Magoosh is an exam preparation platform that offers study material you can take with you anywhere.
They offer two ACT prep options: a self-paced ACT course and guided courses. The self-study ACT course is a good option for students who want to study for the test over an extended period of time. It contains 1300 practice questions with video explanations for each question. The course also includes 250 video lessons that cover the content you'll expect on the actual exam.
Of all the ACT test prep options available, Magoosh is one of the most affordable. Self-directed membership costs $129 for 12 months of access. The payment can be split into installments, making it even cheaper for those who cannot make the full payment upon registration.
Best for Personalized Test Prep: PrepScholar
Studying for a standardized test does not mean that students must take a standardized course. PrepScholar uses an adaptive algorithm to create study plans for students to maximize the benefits of their individual study efforts.
PrepScholar offers a self-paced course, teacher-led courses, and one-on-one tutoring. Each option includes access to over 4,300 realistic test questions and a weekly prep plan to review all test material.
The complete online ACT prep course costs $397 and includes a 5-day trial. Students who enroll in a PrepScholar course are also guaranteed to increase their score by at least four points.
Best for challenging learning questions: Uworld
One of the best strategies for ACT study is to take as many test questions as possible. Uworld is a test preparation platform that prides itself on its rigorous exam questions, which tend to be more difficult than those students will face on the actual day of their test.
Uworld's ACT prep program includes more than 3,200 realistic questions that students can answer at their own pace. Each question has an explanation so you can learn from the questions you missed. The questions are tracked in Uworld's performance tracker so you can assess where you stand before test day.
Uworld offers subscription-based pricing that allows you to access the platform for as long as you need it. Options range from $99 for 30 days to $249 for 360 days. You can also try out Uworld with the 7-day free trial before committing. While not as affordable as other ACT test prep courses, Uworld is more affordable and provides students with the valuable feedback they need to succeed.
SAT vs. ACT Which is better to take?
Before you enroll in an ACT test prep course, you should ask yourself whether the ACT is the right test for you.
An easy way to figure out which college entrance exam you need to take is to take a practice test of each. This will give you an idea of how the test is structured and whether one test's scoring method is better for you than another.
Why might this be important? The ACT offers an optional essay and a science section. If you are a good writer or are thinking about pursuing a STEM major, doing well in these areas can improve your score and your overall college application.
There are also different rules that can make one test better than another. For example, the SAT limits the use of calculators, while the ACT allows it for all math sections.
There is no right or wrong test, but knowing whether one is better for you can help you maximize your potential for a high score.
Why should you trust us?
The College Investor team has spent the past year reviewing and analyzing many of the most popular ACT test prep companies and courses. We rated them based on their offers, prices, availability and any customer feedback we could find.
During our research, we quickly realized that it depends on what you need to prepare for the exam. Would you like a self-study online course? Would you like an instructor? Do you need in-person courses to help you focus?
Based on this research and review, we compiled this list based on our opinion of where students and their families can find the best options for ACT test preparation.
Is preparing for the ACT test worth it?
For some students, an ACT test prep course may be well worth it. Many courses are taught by live instructors who have achieved exceptional results in the course itself. While you can prepare for the ACT on your own, a test prep course gives you the opportunity to ask questions and get additional help if you need it.
However, before enrolling, make sure the ACT is right for you. Although some students find that the test format and additional sections play to their strengths, this is not the case for everyone.
It's important to remember that while a company may guarantee a score increase, there is no way to actually guarantee that you will be successful. You still have to study for the exam and put in the effort to get there.
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