Best ACT Test Prep Courses [In Person And Online]

Many colleges still value the ACT for college admissions, and taking an ACT test prep course can help improve your outcome.

Even though some colleges now give students the option to not submit a test score, it’s still a good idea to sit for either the SAT or the ACT. Doing so can increase your chances of getting merit-based scholarships, helping you lower the cost of your tuition bill.

Students can choose to submit an SAT score, ACT score, or both. While the tests are designed to test a students’ aptitude for college-level coursework, some may find the structure of one test to be easier than another. 

If you’re thinking about taking the ACT, you might also consider enrolling in an ACT test prep course to help you prepare. In this article, we cover some of the best ACT test prep options available today to help you figure out which is right for you. 

Best for Overall Test-Taking Readiness: The Princeton Review

The Princeton Review is a household name when it comes to standardized tests and college admissions. Aside from offering SAT and ACT test prep courses, it also offers one-on-one academic tutoring and advising on the college admissions process.

Its ACT 31+ prep course is designed for students aiming to achieve an ACT score of 31 or higher. The Princeton Review guarantees you’ll get a 5-point boost on your score after just 36 hours of instruction. The course is taught by live instructors and comes with practice exams and homework to help students retain everything they learn.

ACT 31+ comes with different enrollment options to fit in your schedule. The course is $1,899 with the option of enrolling with $299 down.

Read our review of The Princeton Review here.

Best for Class Variety: Prep Expert

Prep Expert made waves after its founder appeared on Shark Tank and received backing from Mark Cuban. The company offers test prep courses and tutoring for students beginning as early as the 8th grade.

Prep Expert offers four different ACT test prep options:

• 8-Week Capstone 
• 6-Week Flagship
• Self-Paced Video
• Weekend Review

Compared to other test prep platforms, Prep Expert has unique search filters that makes it easier for students to enroll in a course that aligns with their goals. Students can search by instructors who have scored in the 99th percentile as well as by their expected ACT exam test date.

The 6-Week Flagship course is the most popular option and starts at $839. The Weekend Review is a 2-day course that’s about half the cost of the 6-Week Flagship. This is a good option for students who are looking for a quick refresh right before they take the test.

Read our full PrepExpert review here.

Best for Digestible Study Sessions: Magoosh

If taking a live course isn’t for you, Magoosh is a test prep platform that offers study material you can take with you wherever you are.

They offer two ACT prep options: a self-paced ACT course and guided classes. The self-paced ACT course is a good option for students who want to study for the test over a long period of time. It comes with 1300 practice questions with video explanations for each question. The course also comes with 250 video lessons to cover content you’ll expect to see on the actual exam.

Of all the ACT test prep options out there, Magoosh is one of the cheapest. The self-paced membership is $129 for 12 months of access. The payment can be broken down into installments making it even more affordable for those who can’t make the full payment upon enrollment.

Best for Personalized Test Prep: PrepScholar

Studying for a standardized test doesn’t mean that students need to take a standardized course. PrepScholar uses an adaptive algorithm to create study plans for students to maximize the returns on their individual study efforts.

PrepScholar offers a self-paced course, instructor-led classes, and one-on-one tutoring. Each option comes with access to 4300+ realistic test questions and a weekly prep plan to review all of the material that will be on the test.

The Complete Online ACT Prep course is $397 and comes with a 5-day trial. Students who enroll in a PrepScholar course are also guaranteed to boost their score by at least four points.

Best for Robust Study Questions: Uworld

One of the best strategies for studying for the ACT is to take as many test questions as possible. Uworld is a test prep platform that prides itself in rigorous test questions that tend to be more difficult than the ones students will encounter on the actual day of their exam.

Uworld’s ACT prep program comes with more than 3,200 realistic questions that students can take at their own pace. Each question comes with an explanation so you can learn from the questions you miss. The questions are tracked in Uworld’s performance tracker allowing you to gauge where you stand before test day.

Uworld offers subscription-based pricing that gives you access to the platform for as long as you need it. Options range from $99 for 30 days all the way up to $249 for 360 days. You can also try Uworld with their 7-day free trial before committing to it. While not as cheap as other ACT test prep courses, Uworld is on the more affordable side while providing students with valuable feedback they’ll need to succeed.

SAT vs. ACT Which One is Better to Take?

Before enrolling in an ACT test prep course you’ll want to ask yourself if the ACT is the right test for you to take.

An easy way to figure out which college entrance exam to take is by completing a practice test of each one. This will give you an idea of how the test is structured and if the scoring method of one is better for you than another.

Why might this be important? The ACT offers an optional essay as well as a science section. If you’re a strong writer or you’re considering pursuing a STEM major, scoring well in these areas can increase 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 isn’t a right or wrong test to take but knowing whether or not one is better suited for you can help you maximize your potential of earning a high score.

Why Should You Trust Us?

The College Investor team has spent the past year reviewing and analyzing many of the most common ACT test prep companies and courses. We have been assessing them based on their offerings, price points, availability, and any customer feedback we could find.

In our research we quickly realized that what you need for test prep matters. Do you want a self-paced online course? Do you want an instructor? Do you need in-person courses to help you focus?

Based on this research and assessment, we put together this list based on our opinions of where students and their families can find the best ACT test prep options. 

Is ACT Test Prep Worth It?

For some students, an ACT test prep course can absolutely be worth it. Many courses are taught by live instructors who have scored exceptionally well on the course themselves. While you can study for the ACT on your own, a test prep course gives you an opportunity to ask questions and get extra help if you need it.

Before enrolling, however, make sure the ACT is right for you. While some students may find that the test format and extra sections play to their strengths, it won't be the case for everyone.

It’s important to keep in mind that while a company may guarantee a score increase, there is no way for them to actually guarantee you'll be successful. You’ll still have to study for the exam and put in the work to get there.