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If you're ready to invest in expert Boston ACT prep, Varsity Tutors has you covered with two powerful options worthy of your consideration. If you want to study in a collaborative learning environment, we can set you up with a Boston ACT prep course to help you prepare for the exam. If you would rather work in a one-on-one learning environment, we can match you with a qualified private Boston ACT tutor instead. Keep reading to learn more about how we can help students reach for their academic potential.
The ACT is one of the two big college admission exams in the country, the other being the SAT. The test is typically taken by juniors at high schools such as Boston College High School and Boston Latin School as one of the first steps in the college admissions process. With four and possibly five sections to prepare for covering the entirety of what you have studied in your high school career, trying to prepare for this test on your own can feel overwhelming. Instead, let us match you with expert test prep services!
What content areas can I review during Boston ACT preparation?
The ACT consists of four mandatory, multiple-choice sections: Mathematics, Reading, English, and Science. Each of these sections is scored from 1-36. There is also an optional Writing section at the end of the exam scored on a scale from 2-12. Not including breaks, the ACT lasts two hours and 55 minutes while the ACT Plus Writing has a duration of three hours and 35 minutes. Let's take a closer look at the topics covered in each section of the exam.
The Math section covers topics you have studied since eighth grade, including Pre-Algebra, elementary and intermediate algebra, plane geometry, coordinate geometry, statistics, and trigonometry. This section serves to evaluate a test-taker's quantitative problem-solving and critical thinking skills. You are allowed to use certain calculators to help you out, but not your phone. You have one hour to answer 60 questions on this section.
The Reading section consists of passage-based items. You're expected to be able to identify main ideas and supporting details, summarize reading passages, relate texts to one another, and use context clues to define unfamiliar words and phrases. You also need to be able to differentiate between a fact and an opinion. You have 35 minutes for 40 items on this section.
The English section concentrates on topic development, argument cohesion, organization, and the impact of style and tone on language choice. You are also tested on your command of English language conventions (punctuation, grammar, etc.) at a 12th-grade level. You only have 45 minutes to answer 75 questions on this section, so there's no time to waste.
The Science section measures a test-taker's problem-solving, analysis, and interpretation skills. Questions are drawn from all of the sciences you've studied thus far: earth sciences, biology, chemistry, and physics. You are also expected to have a working knowledge of the Scientific Method and how to interpret the quantitative results of a science lab. You have 35 minutes to answer 40 items on this section.
The Writing section consists of one essay prompt that you have 40 minutes to answer. You will be provided with an issue as well as three perspectives about it. You write about your own perspective on the topic, incorporating at least one of the other perspectives into your analysis. This section measures your communication, reading comprehension, and argumentation skills.
What are the benefits of the different Boston ACT prep options available to me?
As noted above, we can help you find ether a Boston ACT prep class or a one-on-one tutor to help you build your study skills. If you opt for a class, you will attend weekly class sessions with a knowledgeable instructor and a handful of other students. We vet every teacher we work with, so you can trust that your instructor will have an extensive ACT knowledge base you can draw from. Sessions also take place on a live virtual platform that facilitates real-time interaction, so you can ask for help as needed.
Having other students in the virtual classroom can also help you develop a more comprehensive understanding of the material you are studying. You can all interact with each other, enabling the sharing of test-taking strategies and other helpful tips. For example, there is no penalty for guessing on the ACT. If you are ever unsure of an answer, it is often in your best interest to eliminate as many choices as you can and then take a guess so that you have an opportunity to read every question. Splitting the cost with several other students also allows you to get tremendous bang for your buck, and who doesn't want that? You can also arrange private extra help sessions with your teacher if a concept just isn't clicking for you.
Alternatively, you can work with a private instructor in a one-on-one learning environment. A tutor can take the time to understand your unique needs and then design sessions around them to enhance your study efficiency. You are also free to focus on your particular areas of opportunity. For instance, a student who excels in mathematics can spend more of their study time on the English and Reading sections to help them build self-confidence heading into the exam.
We also try to make all of our services as convenient as possible. We offer two and four-week ACT classes to make it easier to find something that works for you. We also start brand new classes each week so it's virtually impossible to miss out. If you choose private instruction, you get to use our exclusive Live Learning Platform to study online without compromising efficacy. Your tutor can also meet you whenever you are available for maximal convenience.
How do I enroll in Boston ACT prep today?
At Varsity Tutors, we strive to take the hassle out of Boston ACT prep. Reach out to an expert educational consultant today for more information on the services we provide and how to enroll!
Amanda: Boston ACT test prep instructor
...ACT prep class for a group of homeschooled students. I discovered that I loved helping people grasp new concepts and find creative ways of approaching material they may have found challenging. In college, I volunteered as a Literature and English tutor in the campus tutoring center for two years. My main responsibility was reading and critiquing other students' papers. I gave feedback about content, structure, and grammar. I loved helping people find their voice and...
Education & Certification
- Union University - Bachelor in Arts, English
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- PSAT
- ISEE
- SAT
- +50 subjects
Jack: Boston ACT test prep instructor
...James, I graduated from a small college preparatory school in Connecticut as a member of the class of 2017, and am entering my freshman year at Northeastern University. I love to read and write, interests that have honed my writing skills and earned me places on the editing staffs of my high school newspaper and literary magazine. I hope that I can use my love of writing to help you in your own academic endeavors!
Education & Certification
- Northeastern University - Bachelor in Arts, Film Production
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- French
- +29 subjects
Kristen: Boston ACT test prep instructor
...variety of areas, but specialize in high school and college math and science, as well as test prep. I've been teaching in some capacity since I was in high school; first tutoring peers in math and science through National Honor Society, then providing more informal one-on-one help to fellow students at MIT. I've also worked extensively teaching swim lessons for the past five years, particularly to beginners. Both in and out of the pool, I...
Education & Certification
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Bachelors, Chemical-Biological Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- GED
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +73 subjects
Ryan: Boston ACT test prep instructor
...be attending Northeastern University to continue my education with a Ph.D. in Physics. I love helping students succeed, and I bring a strong Math and Science background to help students struggling with these difficult subjects. I believe that the secret to succeeding in these subjects is not in memorizing solutions and equations, but by developing problem solving skills so students will know how to approach and set up problems in any STEM setting.... In math and science, knowing how to set up and approach a problem is probably 75% of the battle. I believe that teaching these skills is very important and often overlooked in the classroom, leading to frustrated students feeling helpless who don't know where to begin. My teaching philosophy revolves around developing these skills so students can approach difficult subjects without this frustration.
Education & Certification
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Bachelors, Physics
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- PSAT
- +62 subjects
Alex: Boston ACT test prep instructor
...been working with students for several years now and have provided academic support to my peers throughout my time as a high school and now college student. Through my religious school, I taught students of all ages, ranging from Pre-K through 8th Grade. In high school, I helped prepare students for AP, SAT, ACT, and SAT subject tests as part of my role in the National Honor Society. I have considerable personal experience with a...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor in Arts, Statistics & Economics
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- SSAT
- +81 subjects
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- Math
- Entertainment
- +9 subjects
Kaley: Boston ACT test prep instructor
...these roles I look for ways to make learning fun and rewarding. I especially love teaching reading and writing and I have taught or tutored these subjects to students ranging from kindergarten through adults. I also have experience tutoring test prep subjects and focus both on the content material and test taking skills. My passion is psychology and I have been able to use my graduate training in human development to tailor my instruction to...
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Bachelors, Education and Public Policy
- Harvard Graduate School of Education - Masters, Human Development and Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- PSAT
- SSAT
- +35 subjects
AJ: Boston ACT test prep instructor
...I began tutoring students in Mathematics and Chemistry for volunteer hours and simultaneously began teaching swimming lessons to children of all ages. Ever since I started I have only grown more and more fond of helping those around me improve themselves in various disciplines. In these past nine years, I have expanded my range of tutoring to subjects such as Psychology, Neuroscience, Statistics, and even the Korean language. I earned my degree in Neuroscience, but...
Education & Certification
- Boston University - Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +73 subjects
Ryan: Boston ACT test prep instructor
...Global Social Entrepreneurship. Before college, I attended the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, "one of sixteen public, residential high schools in the country specializing in the education of gifted and talented students who have an interest and aptitude for mathematics and science." For the past two years, I've served as an Honors Mentor and Resident Assistant. Additionally, I've served over 400 hours of community service in that time; I've taught English in...
Education & Certification
- Northeastern University - Current Undergrad, International Affairs & Business
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- +30 subjects
Christopher: Boston ACT test prep instructor
...always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tutor for both Math and Spanish programs in high school and enjoyed the strides I made with students. I am willing to tutor any subject I have a background in, but am strong in mathematics, the sciences, Spanish, history, writing, and ACT prep. I enjoy teaching mathematics most due to...
Education & Certification
- Harvard College - Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- PSAT
- Advanced Placement
- +74 subjects
Katharine: Boston ACT test prep instructor
...the assignment at hand I try to give a deeper, contextual understanding about the importance of the subjects you're learning in school. I am a sophomore at Brown University where I major in Urban Studies an interdisciplinary field that covers topics from urban history to statistics. As the news editor at my college daily, I have developed skills in writing and editing, and will help prime your essay so it is clear, effective and well-argued....
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Current Undergrad, Urban Studies
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- PSAT
- PSAT Writing Skills
- +26 subjects
Paul: Boston ACT test prep instructor
...now a clinical research assistant. Throughout my education, a number of teachers have helped me to work toward my dream of attending medical school and becoming a pediatrician. I love tutoring because it is an opportunity to teach and inspire students, helping them to pursue their dreams as well. I have experience working with students of various ages in a wide range of subjects. I especially enjoy teaching biology, writing, and test preparation. My tutoring...
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Bachelors, Double major in biology and public health (pre-med)
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +64 subjects
Sarah: Boston ACT test prep instructor
Welcome to my tutor page! I am a committed educator with years of experience as both a classroom teacher and private tutor in a wide array of subjects. I am committed to working with students to support them in achieving their full potential. I look forward to hearing from you!... My teaching philosophy is centered on the student. Everyone learns differently, and as a tutor, it's my responsibility to figure out how to connect students to content in ways that are clear, engaging and specific.
Education & Certification
- Georgetown University - Bachelors, Spanish; Government (Double Major)
- University of Pennsylvania - Masters, International Educational Development
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- ISEE-Middle Level Quantitative Reasoning
- +40 subjects
Zoe: Boston ACT test prep instructor
My name is Zoe Fullerton and I am current student at Harvard Medical School. I attended Vassar College as an undergraduate where I studied Science, Technology and Society. I am a patient teacher and eager to work with students of all ages. ... I try to cater each lesson to address that student's learning style. I like to cater to a person's strengths in an attempt to meet them halfway in the learning experience.... Get to know my student and the way they learn so that we can better customize the approach that will work best moving forward.
Education & Certification
- Vassar College - Bachelors, Science, Technology, and Society
- Harvard Medical School - Current Grad Student, MD
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- Advanced Placement
- +104 subjects
Daniel: Boston ACT test prep instructor
At the core, I love learning and find it fun. In teaching, I try to convey that sense of fun to my students. I use a variety of techniques depending on my student's learning style, but I always focus on the fun of learning new things.... In a first session with a student, I would introduce the basic concepts and core questions of the subject, and determine my student's learning style in order to plan future lessons better.
Education & Certification
- Tufts University - Current Undergrad, Biomedical Engineering and Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- GED
- SAT
- PSAT
- +96 subjects
Sean: Boston ACT test prep instructor
...a math minor. I have been tutoring for more than 6 years. For 2.5 years, I taught math to Cornell Engineering undergraduates, and I looked forward to it every week! On Varsity Tutors, I tutor up to college level mathematics and physics, test prep (including AP courses, and SAT reading/writing). Explaining difficult math and science concepts in plain English is my forte. I love teaching and will be glad to help anyone become an independent...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor of Science, Engineering Physics
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SSAT
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- +67 subjects
Sarah: Boston ACT test prep instructor
...to get my Masters of Science in Biomedical Science at Tufts University School of Medicine. I am currently applying to medical school and hope to matriculate next fall. In the past, I have tutored middle school geometry and worked as a peer tutor in a college level introductory biology lab. I have an extensive background in biology and am passionate about healthcare. I hope to share my love of science and education with my students....
Education & Certification
- University of Virginia-Main Campus - Bachelors, Global Public Health
- Tufts University School Of Medicine - Current Grad Student, Masters of Biomedical Science
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- GRE
- GRE Quantitative
- +42 subjects
Gillian: Boston ACT test prep instructor
...and I am currently pursuing a law degree at Boston University School of Law. I can tutor in many disciplines, but I most enjoy tutoring for standardized tests to prepare students to excel on the LSAT, GRE, and SAT. I am enthusiastic about helping students reach their goals, and I am confident that I can help anyone make a significant improvement in their scores by sharing the tips and tricks I learned myself when preparing...
Education & Certification
- Colgate University - Bachelor in Arts, Neuroscience
- Boston University - Juris Doctor, Legal Studies
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- SAT Reading
- LSAT
- +45 subjects
Charlotte: Boston ACT test prep instructor
...I classes for three consecutive years. I have always been dedicated to developing a passion of mathematics in young people, especially young women. In the last year, I have visited 52 different towns and cities across much of Western Europe while living in France. While there, I was an English Teaching Assistant in Tours, located along the banks of the Loire river. I taught at a school of predominately underprivileged students of North African descent...
Education & Certification
- Colgate University - Bachelor in Arts, Mathematics and French
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ISEE
- SAT
- +54 subjects
Grace: Boston ACT test prep instructor
I love test taking and am a recent Dartmouth College graduate. I have experience with 12 AP exams, SAT (99th percentile), GRE, SAT subject tests, ACT, english, and much more. I enjoy adapting to individual students study and learning styles and making work more efficient and productive. In my spare time I run obstacle courses like Spartan Races.... I tailor individual study plans to help dedicated students reach their full potential with efficiency and accuracy.... I would ask what each student's strengths and weaknesses are, then go over a number of questions that address those concepts. I would repeat tough questions to ensure the student understood them, and provide the student some online resources they might find useful.
Education & Certification
- Dartmouth College - Bachelors, Neuroscience and Anthropology
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT
- GED
- +71 subjects