ACT Preparation

In this course, students learn the mindset, skills, and tricks they need to get their best score on the ACT. This course is best suited for teens 15-18 years old who are preparing apply for college and pursue higher education.

Learn the Material

Each week in class and at home, students practice questions in the three core areas of the ACT (English, Math, and Reading). Students review incorrect answers and learning specific test-taking strategies for each section to help increase their score. 

Master the Pattern

Students are taught the question patterns presented in each section, which helps a student answer questions faster and increases their confidence. Test-taking strategies that apply to all core sections are also covered, which immediately improves a student’s score. Strategies for both the print and digital version are included.

Ace the Exam

Students take three full-length practice tests in a simulated test environment – once at the beginning of class, once halfway through the year, and once at the end of the class. This helps them become familiar with the testing environment and specific accommodations they may need.

Class Goals

  1. Prepare students academically to do something that many colleges still require for entrance. This is especially true for a homeschool student without an accredited transcript. 
  2. Engender the belief that each student is a unique, vibrant individual. We want students to score as well as they can on the ACT, but we affirm that the test is not a good indicator of a student’s innate intelligence, aptitude to do well in college, or a reflection of their overall value as a student and as a person.

NOTE: Class is a full year to ensure that all the most common material tested on the ACT can be reviewed and practiced.

Course Overview

Homework

Homework is assigned weekly so students can practice strategies and patterns at home. Students should expect the following in each subject:

* English -- 15-30 minutes
* Reading -- 10-20 minutes
* Math -- 30 minutes to 4+ hours

NOTE: If a student has support at home (a family member, a private tutor, or AI study help), the math homework assigned is robust enough that it can be treated as the math curriculum for the year.

Materials

All test prep materials are included in class tuition, which include three study workbooks and additional subject-specific content.

Supplemental study materials can be recommended if a student wishes to do additional subject-level targeted studying outside of class.

Supplies

Each student is required to bring a calculator to class each week.

Students may choose between the TI-30XS Multiview (less than $20) or the TI-84.

Many weeks in class are spent learning ACT-specific calculator tricks that help students reduce errors and improve how quickly they can complete problems.

NOTE: Other calculators are allowed on the ACT but are not supported in this class. Students who wish to use a different calculator must consult with their teacher.

Age Recommendations & Limits

It is recommended that students take ACT prep their Junior year. (All Juniors in Utah–including homeschoolers–can take the ACT winter semester for free.)

A senior can still benefit from taking the class their senior year if they are flexible with their college application timing.

A sophomore benefits from taking the class if they have already mastered Algebra I and much of Algebra II.

If your student is a freshman (and 14) this coming year, please contact ToriAnn Perkey (toriann@ieprogram.org) to discuss whether the class would be a good fit for them.

Students must be at least 14 to register.

ACT Prep FAQ

  • How much will my student improve?

    Most students who take this course improve at least 3 points from their first practice test to their first real ACT. How much a student improves is highly dependent on how consistently they do the homework and attend class.

  • What if my student is far behind or advanced in math?

    The class is structured so that all students can benefit from the class, regardless of their current math level. 

    The math workbook included with the class is a comprehensive review of all the math content taught on the ACT. The book has a unique way of labeling each topic & practice question with a level of difficulty so that a student who is in Calculus will be able to get as much practice as a student who is in Pre-Algebra.  

    However, the class is not designed to teach math in class – but to review content the student already knows or is willing to learn at home using a tutor (AI or human). 

    In class each week, we review math content that applies to everyone, such as:

    • Quickly recognizing what type of math a question is asking about
    • Memorizing and knowing which math formulas to apply
    • Getting the most out of a calculator
    • Interpreting & translating story problems
    • “Test hacks” for the math section, including timing and strategies

  • Which calculator should I purchase for my student?

    Most students benefit the most from the TI-30XS Multiview. 

    If a student plans on studying calculus (and beyond) or other math-related fields beyond high school, they may benefit from investing in the TI-84.

    Almost every calculator hack for the ACT can be done on either calculator, and the TI-30XS is much easier to learn and faster to use.

  • What if my student needs accommodations?

    All class practice tests can be given with accommodations (time and a half, eliminating distractions, etc.) You and your student can also get help navigating the ACT-accommodations process (if necessary).

  • What if my student wants to take the class more than once?

    A student who participates in the full-year class should not take the class again. The same test questions and content are used year after year.

  • What is the Enhanced ACT?

    The Enhanced ACT was rolled out starting in April 2025. It includes the following changes:

    • Shorter test: Now 2 hours and 5 minutes, instead of 2 hours and 55 minutes.
    • Science is now a separate optional section and is no longer included in the composite score. 
    • Fewer questions and more time per question: Now 131 questions (previously 215 questions)
    • Testing options: paper or computer 
    • Reduced answer choices for math questions (now 4 choices instead of 5) 
    • Shorter reading and English passages  
    • Taking the legacy ACT is no longer an option

  • Why don’t you teach the science section?

    With the rollout of the Enhanced ACT, the science section is no longer required or included in the core ACT score. As a result, very few universities (and none in Utah) require the science score. Students benefit more from spending their time studying the required sections.

Why Take This ACT Prep Class?

  1. Length – Most ACT prep courses are an intensive few days or only a week. It’s much harder for the material to sink in and be useful when it’s crammed into a short period of time.
  2. Content – Most ACT prep courses focus mostly on test-taking tips. Our course creates accountability to study with real test questions, provides in-person feedback, and invites students to learn their individualized test-taking strategies that work for them.
  3. Price – Our class is competitively priced at or below anything you can take online or in-person with an equivalent amount of content.
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