Do You Need an ACT Math Tutor?

Short answer: Your child may need an ACT math tutor if they struggle to organize study time, have gaps in key concepts tested on the ACT, know the math but lack test-taking strategies, or want resources beyond what a busy classroom offers. A good tutor builds a personalized plan, tracks progress with practice tests, and makes every study minute count.

Not every student needs a tutor for ACT math, but many benefit from one. Here are five signs that working with an ACT math tutor could help your child, and what to look for when you choose one.

Key points

• Study guidance: A tutor plans the schedule and provides accountability, so parents don’t have to nag.
• Concept gaps: One-on-one work exposes gaps in ACT math topics and fills them quickly.
• Test strategy: Students who know the math can still gain points from time and question strategy.
• Better resources: A personalized prep program goes beyond what a full classroom can offer.
• The right fit: Reluctant and driven students each need a different tutoring style.
• Measured progress: Practice tests track improvement and show what score to expect.

What are the signs your child needs an ACT math tutor?

Does your child need guidance organizing their study time?

If your child struggles with organizing their study time, a tutor can offer the guidance they need. A tutor will help your child plan a schedule so they can effectively structure their study sessions for maximum benefit.

A tutor will also provide outside accountability so you don’t have to damage your relationship with your child by nagging them to study for the math ACT.

Starting with their initial session, a private ACT math tutor will work with your child to outline a study plan for the ACT, whether they only have a few weeks to prepare or they have a year or longer.

Middle school isn’t too young to start preparing for the ACT. College admissions have become extremely competitive, and a high score on the ACT math section will help your child stand out in a crowded field.

Does your child struggle with key concepts?

A tutor can help students who don’t have a solid grasp on the math concepts that are tested on the ACT. High school math often moves at a fast pace, which can leave some students grappling with unanswered math questions about important topics.

Personalized tutoring will expose gaps in your child’s knowledge and quickly fill them. A private tutor can hone in on the areas your child needs help with and provide extra practice so they fully understand.

Every minute your child spends studying will be optimized to improve their performance on the ACT math test. For an overview of the content, see what math topics are covered on the ACT.

“Say I’ve found that a student is weak at synthetic division. I’ll spend time on synthetic division alone, teaching the algorithm until they’re really fluent with it.”

Caleb Nastasi, Alexander Tutoring SAT tutor

Would your child benefit from test-taking strategies?

Many students have a good grasp of advanced math, but they may still score low on the ACT because they don’t use test-taking strategies that can help raise their scores. These students often stand to gain the most from working with an ACT math tutor.

They already have the background they need to do well, and once they learn some strategies to make the most of their time, there’s no limit on what they can achieve.

When students understand the types of questions they’ll encounter on the ACT, which range from pre-algebra to trigonometry, and which ones are worth spending extra time on, they’ll be able to increase their scores even if they fully understand all of the math.

Even knowing when to give up and when to move on can add points to your child’s score by preventing them from wasting valuable time on a problem they’re likely to miss.

Tutor tip: Practice moving on. On timed practice sets, mark any problem that is eating too much time, skip it, and come back at the end. Students are often surprised how many points that one habit saves. More ideas are in our ACT math tips.

Do you want access to the best resources and instructors?

Your child’s math teachers have to deal with a classroom full of students with different needs. An online ACT math tutor can provide a personalized prep program that goes beyond school math topics and help your child gain a deeper understanding of a wide range of math concepts.

The math prep experienced tutors provide will give your child an advantage on the math ACT to help them improve their math score.

Do you want your child to have the best tutoring experience possible?

Some students are resistant to putting in extra hours studying on top of an already packed schedule, while some students will push themselves past the point of exhaustion. Regardless of which type of student your child is, giving them the best possible tutoring experience can help.

• The reluctant student: a tutor with a relaxed teaching style can provide engaging tutoring sessions that motivate them to work hard.
• The driven student: they benefit from working with a tutor who can help them see when they’ve done all they can and it’s time to relax and take the pressure off.

How do you find the best online ACT math tutor?

It’s important to find a good fit when you’re looking for online tutoring for your child. No student likes taking standardized tests, but the reality is that scoring high on the ACT will open more doors for your child.

Although many colleges claim to be test optional, submitting a high ACT score can only help you. Look for a tutor who understands your goals and can help you achieve them.

Your student undoubtedly has a full calendar with advanced classes, homework, extra-curricular activities, and friends. You don’t want to waste their time with unfocused, drawn-out tutoring sessions. An experienced math ACT tutor will be able to maximize your child’s results while minimizing their time investment.

At Alexander Tutoring, we’ve worked with many different types of students. Our individualized approach accounts for your child’s starting point, learning style, and goals.

We monitor your child’s improvement in real time with practice tests. We analyze results to provide focused input to increase your child’s score. After working with our tutors, you’ll know what score to expect when your student takes the real ACT.

Curious where students lose the most points? See our list of common ACT math mistakes.

Frequently asked questions