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High school students all over Chicago are looking for a way to start their Chicago ACT prep, and Varsity Tutors can help them out. It doesn't really matter whether you are in your last year of high school or a year or two before that. It is crucial that you start preparing for the ACT exam, as many colleges will look at your score on the ACT when considering your admission. Many students attending high schools in the college area, such as Walter Payton College Prep or Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, choose to take the ACT as their college preparation test of choice.
If you want to get started with private mentoring sessions to help you in your test preparation, we can connect you to the right private instructor for you. Or, if you want to take an educational class instead, we can help you enroll in it.
What is involved in ACT test preparation?
There are four sections on the ACT. In addition, there is a Writing section that is optional. Each section, including the Writing section, will have a time limit imposed on it. During your preparation, you should make sure that you are ready for all four or five sections.
First, there will be the English section. This section will test you on your knowledge and comprehension of the English language. You will be presented with short passages. You will have to read these passages and spot any errors that may be in them with regards to grammar, spelling, or sentence structure. There will be 75 questions on this section, and you will have 45 minutes to complete all of them.
The next section will be the Math section. You will be tested on everything that is expected to be covered in high school math classes. There will be a total of 60 questions on this section. You will have one minute, on average, for each question, as there will be one hour to complete this section.
The next section will be the Reading section. As with the English section, you will be presented with passages that you will have to read through. However, unlike the English section, you will be tested on your reading comprehension skills rather than your knowledge of English language rules. You will be asked questions that will test your ability to understand what you are reading. There will be 40 questions, and you will have 35 minutes to complete this section.
Next will be the Science section. This section will test you on what you studied during your science classes. Various scientific topics will be touched on, such as chemistry, biology, and physics. You will be presented with multiple choice questions and be expected to choose the right answers. Again, you will have 35 minutes to answer 40 questions.
Finally, there will be the Writing section. As mentioned, this section is optional. Taking it can show schools that you are applying to that you are serious about all of your studies. If you do complete this section, make sure that you write a well-crafted essay that presents your arguments in an organized fashion. Back up your arguments with supporting details.
What kinds of Chicago ACT prep are available for me to take?
You have a few different options when it comes to preparing for the ACT test. You do not have to do it alone, which can be a struggle.
The first option you have is taking a Chicago ACT prep course. These courses are taught by educated instructors over the internet. They can be taken from wherever you are. One of the problems with taking a course is that it can be hard for some students to find time for the commute, especially in hectic Chicago traffic. However, these courses are all done on the computer.
There is a new Chicago ACT prep class starting every week, so you will not have to wait long after enrolling to start. Classes go on for either two or four weeks, depending on your needs. You can interact with both the instructor and other students. You can discuss topics that will be covered on the test as well as general test-taking strategies. You can also have private time with the instructor to ask some questions that may be bothering you and get clarification about things that were discussed during the class.
Other students may find that reviewing their studies with a private Chicago ACT tutor fits their needs better. With a private educator, you can go over your studies at your own pace, without worrying about holding up other students. Your private educational mentor can create study plans for your sessions that are based on your own specific needs. For example, some students may find that they need to focus on math more than reading comprehension. A class may go too fast or too slow for you.
With a private instructor, you can also ask any questions that you may have. You can establish a rapport with your tutor. It is always rewarding to study with someone who understands you and knows what kind of learning style fits you the best.
Some students may find that a combination of the two makes for the best test preparation strategy. For example, you can take the classes to get a general review before the test and then take private mentoring sessions to go deeper into specific topics that you are having difficulty with. A private mentor can also give you some tips for meeting the time limits you will face on the test.
What should I do to get started with my Chicago ACT prep?
If you are unsure of which kind of ACT preparation to take, Varsity Tutors can help you decide. It doesn't matter what your current skills are; professional Chicago ACT preparation and instruction can help everyone at any level. Get in touch with Varsity Tutors today to get started. We are looking forward to hearing from you and getting you set on the right track.
Max: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...a currently a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. I am majoring in Physics with a Concentration in Chemical Principles. I am also minoring in Creative Writing. Throughout my schooling, I have thrived in all subjects. However, my favorites are Science and Writing/English. I find that the two have similar way in promoting creativity. Not surprisingly, I will be tutoring Physics, Chemistry and Writing. Additionally, I will be tutoring for ACT prep....
Education & Certification
- University of Pennsylvania - Current Undergrad, Physics with Concentration in Chemical Principles
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- AP Chemistry
- AP Physics 2
- Test Prep
- +18 subjects
Rebecca: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...the ability to put the right words to thoughts. I like to help people get past these barriers and unleash their inner voice! Sometimes, though, people have other, more specific barriers to overcome (like passing a test!), and I love being able to help people with these objectives as well. Besides teaching and literature, I have that keeps me busy. I'm a runner and a swimmer, also like biking and hiking and some recreational sports....
Education & Certification
- Greenville College - Bachelors, Philosophy, English, & History
- Stony Brook University - Masters, Philosophy
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- TOEFL
- SAT
- Literature
- +17 subjects
Alex: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...Southern California. My business school classmates and I took pride in offering group tutoring in subjects such as stats, economics, finance, etc., and I still feel ardently that the best way to fully understand a subject is to teach it! I have years of experience teaching algebra I & II, economics and Spanish, but also love to assist students with ACT, SAT, LSAT and GMAT test prep. One of the greatest investments you can make...
Education & Certification
- University of Wisconsin-Madison - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
- University of Wisconsin-Madison - Bachelor in Arts, International Relations
- University of Southern California - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
- University of Southern California - Masters in Business Administration, Real Estate
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- GRE 5-Week Prep Class
- SSAT
- SAT
- +88 subjects
Ruth: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...a high school English teacher, currently working primarily with 10th grade students. I have previously worked at middle and elementary schools as well. I graduated from the University of Chicago in 2016 with a B.A. in English and Theatre. I then got my M.S.Ed from Northwestern. I have worked with children of all ages in various capacities, including teaching, and I find that the best way for students to learn is to have fun and...
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Bachelor in Arts, English Lang./Lit. and Theatre and Performance Studies
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- +43 subjects
Luke: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...from Wheaton College with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy as well as a minor in Bible/Theology. Since graduation, I have been teaching English overseas in South Korea and the nation of Georgia. In those roles, I was especially proud of the improvements my students made towards clear self-expression in speaking and writing (which was reflected in high TOEFL scores). I've got a knack for identifying an essay's strengths and weaknesses, and for giving specific...
Education & Certification
- Wheaton College (Illinois) - Bachelor in Arts, Philosophy
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- TOEFL
- Study Skills and Organization
- College Essays
- +31 subjects
Matt: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...is Matt and I'm an Aerospace Engineer. I graduated in 2015 from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. While I was there I also received a math minor, which helps me understand math at a more basic level. In high school I worked as a tutor and enjoyed helping those students. I loved the subjects I studied in college and my hope is to share my knowledge of math and physics with those who...
Education & Certification
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Bachelors, Aerospace Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- Algebra 2
- Science
- Algebra
- +22 subjects
Jenna: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...am a former teacher (five years!) and have currently taken a break to go back to school to further my own education. I am a graduate student at the Harvard Graduate School of Education learning the fundamentals of school leadership. While I am so excited to be a student again, I already miss teaching! I have taught math for five years and absolutely love it. My favorite is working with students who struggle in math...
Education & Certification
- University of Wisconsin Madison - Bachelors, History
- harvard graduate school of education - Current Grad Student, school leadership
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- Math
- ACT Math
- Algebra
- +7 subjects
Alyssa: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...my Bachelor of Arts with a double-major in English Literature and Psychology from the University of Notre Dame in May 2014. After graduating, I served as an Augustinian Volunteer for a year in Chulucanas, Peru, where I worked as a computer teacher at a technical institute called CETPRO Betania. I have previously tutored a broad range of subjects and age groups, and I have especially enjoyed working with students to develop their writing skills. I...
Education & Certification
- University of Notre Dame - Bachelor in Arts, English, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- ACT Math
- ACT Science
- +17 subjects
Brandon: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
I'm a 4th year at the University of Chicago, and I love teaching. I'm elated to help others learn and gain confidence in subjects that may not be their strong suit today. Also, I want to give students the tools to succeed in subjects outside of what we directly cover. ... When I teach someone something, I want them to know the material well enough that they feel comfortable teaching it to someone else.... We would have a quick icebreaker. Then, we would map out where the student is at and where the student would like to be. After setting these goals, we would get started on the subject's material.
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Bachelors, Public Policy, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- Middle School Math
- Other
- Test Prep
- +37 subjects
Rebecca: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...a graduate of Northwestern University where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies. I am currently pursuing a masters degree in social work at the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration. I am passionate about tutoring because I want everyone to be able to perform academically at their highest possible level. I also think it is important that learning is not just for one assignment or...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelors, Psychology
- University of Chicago SSA - Masters, Social Work
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- SSAT
- ISEE
- +53 subjects
Daria: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in 2010 with a BA in French Language and Literature and a minor in Russian language and literature. About a year after I graduated I was accepted to a program, run by the French government, to teach English in France. I spent a year in the eastern town of Belfort helping French students ages 15 - 20 with their English grammar and pronunciation. While there, I took advantage...
Education & Certification
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Bachelor in Arts, French Language, Literature
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- Comparative Literature
- Phonics
- College English
- +21 subjects
Zhaleh: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...is Zhaleh BassiriRad and I am currently studying Mechanical Engineering and Japanese at Carnegie Mellon University. I enjoy tutoring because I love sharing knowledge with others, especially in one-on-one sessions, or with a small group. Teaching others is a great way to expand understanding of how other students think and develop ideas, and it allows myself to see new ways to look at problems. While I'm not studying (or helping my friends study), I love...
Education & Certification
- Carnegie Mellon University - Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- Elementary School Math
- Reading
- +35 subjects
Steve: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...I graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor???s degree in Chemical Engineering and a concentration in Biomolecular Engineering. I held a wide range of tutoring positions during my undergraduate experience including: an English Literacy tutor for grammar school students, an SAT Math instructor, and a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) tutor for college students. I believe my strongest subject to tutor is Standardized Test Prep (SAT, ACT, and GRE). Performing well...
Education & Certification
- University of Notre Dame - Bachelors, Chemical and Biomolecular
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- Organic Chemistry
- +24 subjects
Samantha: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...currently a senior at Northwestern University and I will be receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Legal Studies this spring. In the fall, I will begin attending law school at Northwestern Law. For many years, I tutored a wide range of students in Spanish, English literature, and writing. I have also continued to help many high school seniors with college application essays. While I tutor a variety of subjects, I am very...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Current Undergrad, Political Science & Legal Studies
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- ISEE
- SAT
- SSAT
- +36 subjects
Masooma: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...playing tennis, writing poetry, and watching Star Trek reruns. I'm also involved in various cultural and human rights organizations at college. In any remaining spare time, I can usually be found reading the news on actual physical newspapers. Regarding my tutoring philosophy: as a tutor, I believe that the most important way to help my students understand their material better is by simply being there for them every step of the way. This way, students can...
Education & Certification
- University of Illinois at Chicago - Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- PSAT
- K-11th Grade Standardized Tests
- SAT
- +105 subjects
Ruthie: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...areas, which contributes to the success my students have achieved on their state tests, ACT, and AP Biology exam. It is important to me that my students are engaged because from that engagement, we can build investment in the material and skills they need to learn. I like to incorporate labs, hands-on experience, competitions, games, videos, and compelling activities (for example, writing letters to the government about harmful algal blooms to a graphing project on...
Education & Certification
- University of Pennsylvania - Bachelors, Biological Basis of Behavior
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT Reading
- AP Biology
- +22 subjects
Bryson: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...and can help with nearly all content areas. When I was in school, I was (and still am!) a self-described "nerd" who really enjoyed expanding my knowledge base and taking on academic challenges. I hope to impart the idea that tackling new concepts can be fun and rewarding at the same time. Additionally, as a generally "good test taker," I enjoy helping students hone their test taking skills to achieve optimal results. When I am...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelor in Arts, Spanish
- Loyola Marymount University - Master of Arts, Urban Education and Leadership
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- ISEE
- PSAT
- +51 subjects
Benjamin: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...a 2023 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Finance/Economics major and a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I am a passionate student in the math and business realms, as I enjoy the intuitiveness of the former and the real-world potential of the latter. During classes in middle and high school, I developed a reputation of being a good source of help within my classes in a non-tutor capacity, and grew that into...
Education & Certification
- University of Notre Dame - Bachelor of Science, Finance
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- ACT Reading
- +62 subjects
Edward: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...set out to do, I put forth 100% of my effort. I am a college graduate from Loyola University in Chicago with a BS degree in Physics. I will pursue a PhD in Chemistry. I am a very logical and rational person, and I believe that is reflected in how I teach my students. I do my best to have students understand concepts rather than just memorizing them, which will help problems become much easier...
Education & Certification
- Loyola University-Chicago - Bachelor of Science, Physics
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- Advanced Placement
- ACT English
- Calculus
- +27 subjects
Oliver : Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...a 2014 graduate of Northwestern University with a BS in Journalism and International Studies. My journalistic work has appeared in the Boston Globe and other respected publications, though at the moment I'm focusing on teaching the intricacies of the written word, among other subjects. I discovered the joys of teaching as a volunteer tutor to local high school students, helping my tutees fine-tune essays, read critically, and digest core historical and political concepts. After identifying...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelor of Science, Journalism, International Relations
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT Writing
- +32 subjects