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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.
Christopher: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...of prenatal alcohol exposure on the developing hippocampal region of the brain. After graduating, I served a year, full time, as an Americorps member with City Year, tutoring and mentoring 7th and 8th grade students in the Englewood Community of Chicago in 1-on-1 and small group settings. I am currently working toward a TEFL certification that would allow me to teach English as a foreign language abroad. With Varsity Tutors, I tutor a wide range...
Education & Certification
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Bachelors, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- GED
- ISAT
- Chemistry
- +32 subjects
Alyssa: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...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 tutor ACT Test prep and English with a focus on critical...
Education & Certification
- University of Notre Dame - Bachelor in Arts, English, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- Test Prep
- SAT Reading
- +17 subjects
Jenna: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...already miss teaching! I have taught math for five years and absolutely love it. My favorite is working with students who struggle in math and think they will never be successful. I love working with these students because I feel confident that I can present the material in simple, new ways that will make them feel GOOD at math in a way they may never have felt before. (It has happened in the past, I...
Education & Certification
- University of Wisconsin Madison - Bachelors, History
- harvard graduate school of education - Current Grad Student, school leadership
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- Elementary Math
- Geometry
- 9th Grade Math
- +7 subjects
Zhaleh: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...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 to play music (piano, flute, guitar), take a walk through the...
Education & Certification
- Carnegie Mellon University - Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- Essay Editing
- ACT Writing
- +35 subjects
Ruth: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...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 engage them.
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Bachelor in Arts, English Lang./Lit. and Theatre and Performance Studies
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +43 subjects
Andrew: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...plans, and graded homework, quizzes and tests. I am a great tutor because of my broad experience in tutoring many different subjects, so that I have a wide variety of approaches to help all types of students master the material. I also believe that, in my German tutoring especially, I'm very systematic, so that my students have a strong grammar foundation on which to build further skills and concepts. I have also lived in Germany...
Education & Certification
- Oberlin College and Conservatory - Bachelors, German Studies and Voice Performance
- DePaul University - Masters, Voice Performance
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- PSAT
- Trigonometry
- +26 subjects
Karishma: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...them develop study methods and styles that work best for them and that will serve them throughout school. I previously tutored with Boys Hope Girls Hope in Evanston, IL. I tutored middle and high school students in Spanish and English, and I was able to help them develop study strategies such as using flashcards or translating a sentence they had spoken aloud that day in their heads for extra language practice. I am very excited...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelor in Arts, English/Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +58 subjects
Max: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...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. I took the test officially three times and was successful each time and believe that I can share effective tips on how to increase scores in each subject. In my free time, I like to play sports like football and basketball. I also like to read novels and poems. My...
Education & Certification
- University of Pennsylvania - Current Undergrad, Physics with Concentration in Chemical Principles
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- High School English
- English
- ACT Science
- +18 subjects
Rebecca: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...ways. It has also informed my teaching style, as I tend away from rote memorization and toward real-life integration. Most of my teaching experience is in ESL, but I have tutored students and fellow students in writing, English, history, philosophy, and occasionally other areas. My favorite subjects to tutor are ESL and writing, because I love helping people communicate better. Everyone has a voice and a message, but sometimes that message gets stuckeither because of...
Education & Certification
- Greenville College - Bachelors, Philosophy, English, & History
- Stony Brook University - Masters, Philosophy
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- TOEFL
- ACT Reading
- +17 subjects
Bryson: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...then attended Loyola Marymount University where I received my master's degree in Urban Education. I have worked in education for the past 6 years, beginning as a 2012 Teach For America corps member in Los Angeles. I have taught nearly every subject in middle school classrooms, and I have taught both biology and algebra to high schoolers. My favorite subjects to tutor are mathematics and Spanish, as I find them to be the most engaging,...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelor in Arts, Spanish
- Loyola Marymount University - Master of Arts, Urban Education and Leadership
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT
- ISEE
- +51 subjects
Ian: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...time with family, having a social life, and working to support myself. Thankfully, I was able to adapt. Over time I learned little tricks to make studying more efficient; to memorize more information in a shorter period of time. Of course, doing well in school also requires motivation. As your tutor, I can help teach you specific course material as well as more general study techniques that will keep you motivated to learn. As an...
Education & Certification
- University of Illinois at Chicago - Bachelors, Biological Sciences & Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- AP Psychology
- AP Chemistry
- High School Biology
- +16 subjects
Davis: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...working he also received a Certification in Data Analysis and Visualization from the University of Minnesota. He has received an overall score in the 99th percentile on the GMAT. This includes a high score on the Quantitative section, a perfect score on the Integrated Reasoning and Analytical Writing Assessment, and a Verbal score in the 99th percentile. In working with students, he emphasizes getting a full understanding of the student's current strengths and weaknesses, putting...
Education & Certification
- Drake University - Bachelor in Arts, Finance
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT
- GMAT Quantitative
- English
- +18 subjects
Katie: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...academic advisor, and teaching first year experience courses to new college students, focusing on topics like time management and study skills. I understand firsthand the importance of standardized tests as students make goals for their next level of education; I am happy to help students prepare for these exams. I enjoy students of all ages and am excited to tutor a wide range of subjects, although my first loves are math and English (especially grammar)....
Education & Certification
- University of Notre Dame - Bachelor in Arts, American Studies, Gender Studies
- University of Connecticut - Master of Arts, Higher Education and Student Affaris
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- ISEE
- SSAT
- SAT
- +40 subjects
Casey: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...graduate teaching assistant for U of I's Introduction to World Music course for two years. Before attending graduate school, I worked as a certified substitute teacher for K-12 general and special education in Michigan. I also volunteered as a literacy tutor with the Family Learning Institute in Ann Arbor, MI. While I am comfortable tutoring in a wide range of humanities and language arts subjects, I am most passionate about teaching English and reading comprehension....
Education & Certification
- Butler University - Bachelor in Arts, Music History and Literature
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Masters, Musicology
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- English Grammar and Syntax
- GRE Verbal
- ACT Reading
- +21 subjects
Sresht: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...University of Illinois at Chicago in 2 years as part of the GPPA Medicine program, where I majored in Biological Sciences. I have also obtained a perfect score on the Psychology/Sociology section of the MCAT with a 97th percentile score overall. I am currently obtaining my MBA before going to medical school. I have been tutoring since high school and enjoy helping students by giving them a unique perspective on how to master comprehension and...
Education & Certification
- University of Illinois at Chicago - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
- University of Illinois at Chicago - Masters in Business Administration, Business Administration and Management
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- Public Speaking
- Biology
- Test Prep
- +48 subjects
Debra: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
My name is Debra and I have an MA in Anthropology from the University of Chicago. I really like engaging with the humanities and hope to help students improve their understanding of history, the social science, writing, and grammar. ... I like to be as conversational as possible, because I think that's the best way to communicate ideas. I try to be pretty informal, because I find that formality can turn students. Overcomplicating the subject matter is not helpful, so I try to make things as simple as possible and build on that foundation.
Education & Certification
- University of Notre Dame - Bachelor in Arts, Anthropology
- University of Chicago - Master of Arts, Anthropology
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- Social Sciences
- +37 subjects
Brad: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
I received my Bachelor's in Computer Science from MIT, and am passionate about helping others! Learning has always come easy to me, and it's something I want to pass on to those around me. I was also the Valedictorian of my high school in colorado and was a top10 all-purpose football player at MIT. Everybody learns differently, and I want to help you achieve your goals!
Education & Certification
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Bachelors, Computer Science and Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- MAP
- SAT
- +25 subjects
Levente: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, I held a few roles in academia. I was a class assistant for Differential Equations for 3 semesters, where I organized and led study sessions, graded assignments, etc. At different points in my college career, I also worked as a mentor for Calculus 1-3 and a project manager for a higher level engineering course. Currently, I work as a derivatives trader in Chicago, so I'm constantly using and refining my knowledge...
Education & Certification
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- Trigonometry
- ACT Science
- Microeconomics
- +30 subjects
Oliver : Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...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 gaps in learning, I guide my students in a patient and individualized manner so that they can achieve their academic and intellectual goals, utilizing positive reinforcement to maintain and build self-esteem. I'm a native Spanish speaker who has lived in Colombia and Argentina and even published news stories in the...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelor of Science, Journalism, International Relations
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- English Grammar and Syntax
- +32 subjects
Nandini: Chicago ACT test prep instructor
...enjoy teaching when I became preceptor for Anatomy in undergrad. I find it to be incredibly rewarding. As I am continuing my education, tutoring is an enjoyable way for me to give back to the academic community and help other students achieve their goals! I thoroughly enjoyed learning anatomy in both undergrad and PT school, and it is definitely a strong suit of mine. I have accumulated lots of helpful learning diagrams over the years!
Education & Certification
- University of Arizona - Bachelor of Science, Health Sciences, General
Subject Expertise
- ACT
- CogAT
- SHSAT
- PSAT
- +51 subjects