No one goes to the battlefield (aka the ACT test venue) without adequate preparation. Still, it can be hard to figure out exactly what you need to do to improve your scores. This is why most students sign up for ACT tutoring programs. These kinds of structured, personalized coaching classes are designed to identify what areas the students need urgent help and zero in on those subjects.
Yet, with so many ACT prep courses touted as the best, it can become overwhelming to know which is just the right fit for you. Besides, not every student who enrolls in one of these ends up with the scores needed to get into their dream schools. Beyond the choice of program, you also need to understand how to make the most out of it. So, in this blog, we will be looking at the different tutoring options you can explore and if online ACT prep may be the best option for you.
A Comparison of Different ACT Tutoring Options
We all know that what appears to be a great arrangement for one student can prove to be the worst setting for the other. So, before you decide which of the ACT tutoring options is perfect for your unique needs, you need to take a look at what’s available first. It is the same as walking into a new restaurant and checking the menu before placing an order. Luckily, there are quite a few solid offers on the table, so you can definitely find something for yourself.
- The ACT prep group classes. Some students just do better in a group setting where they can ‘feed off’ the energy and passion of other students. This kind of setting can be motivating and provide a friendly and competitive atmosphere needed to push you to put in more effort. Still, for others, this kind of learning environment might not be of any benefit, especially if they struggle to keep up with the rest of the group.
- 1:1 ACT tutoring. Every student has their own learning style, and many tend to fall through the gaps in group settings. This is why a 1:1 Tutoring ACT class might be the most effective of all the options available. As a bonus, students can dive deeper into any particular topic they struggle with, whether it’s quadrants on a graph or cell biology. After all, a personalized ACT study plan that focuses on improving weaknesses doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
- Self-study. In this case, the student draws up their own ACT study strategy. With the abundance of books in the library and tons of free online resources, some of those who chose this method do actually pull it off. Still, it can also be easy to get lost in the many helpful tips and online practice tests (some of which may be outdated), so be careful and plan accordingly. Besides, this option only works for highly disciplined and motivated people.
- Peer-to-peer tutoring. This might be you directly asking a more advanced student for help or arranging this through a trusted teacher. In any case, you are being coached for the ACT by someone who you can relate with more easily. This can be beneficial and make learning more fun and interactive for you. Still, while this has a lot of perks, there is no guarantee that you are getting all the help you need to succeed.
Is Online ACT Prep Effective?
More and more students are choosing to take online ACT prep classes – you probably know someone who is taking one right now. Yet, is there any good reason why this option is becoming increasingly popular? Well, it turns out that there are studies that show that online ACT prep can be effective for most students. According to Edgar Sanchez, a senior research scientist in the Validity and Efficacy Research department at ACT, students who used the ACT online prep optimally see an improvement in their scores up to 1.51 points.
4 Features to Look Out for When Choosing an Online ACT Prep Course or Class
Even with all of the countless tips available, it can still be a lot of hassle to know which program or website offers the best online ACT tutoring courses that will be the most beneficial to you. So, here are a few features to look out for before signing up for any.
- Qualified tutors. You wouldn’t pick a chef to prescribe medication for you, just like you would probably prefer a chef to cater your coming party over a well-meaning doctor or pharmacist. Qualifications matter as they show someone’s ability and proven experience to do something. So, you should also choose courses run by experts or knowledgeable instructors. The better qualified their tutors, the more benefit you can expect to get out of your training program.
- Personalized lesson plan. For you to get the best result from your online ACT prep classes, you have to find one that tailors their teaching style to each student’s learning style. Usually, this is more easily achievable with 1:1 tutoring, but even a small group class can still manage to incorporate this approach to some extent.
- Resources. Every platform that offers ACT tutoring online will also provide learning resources, such as engaging study materials, practice tests, an instant feedback system, question banks, helpful blog posts, apps, and much more. Today, with the advent of artificial intelligence, some can even incorporate personalized AI-driven ACT study buddy apps that can make learning more effective.
- Pricing. Most top ACT tutoring programs can end up being costly. The prices range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars, and it can get even higher if you are going for the 1:1 option. Still, if you shop around, you will find quality options for any budget and many platforms willing to work within your price range. Yet, you want to do your research and be sure they are offering good value for the amount they charge.
How to Make the Most of the ACT Tutoring Courses
Whether you are an ACT tutor or a student, here are some tips to make your courses a banging success.
- Have a clear objective, and ensure that you check from time to time if you are still on track.
- Focus on using updated, relevant materials and put more effort towards understanding the concepts over memorizing tons of facts.
- If you are a tutor, try to match your teaching method to your student’s learning style.
- Time management is key, so practice it and enforce valuable skills that will hone it.
- Ask for feedback (for students) and give feedback if you are the tutor. This is essential for continual progress.
- When it comes to ACT tutoring, little steps made consistently accumulate, so focus on following a study plan that prioritizes incremental progress over hours-long intensive sessions once in a blue moon.
- Be flexible and quickly adjust your strategy if something is not working.
- Reward yourself or your students for a good job, and don’t be afraid to be honest with areas that may need more improvement.
