Test Prep FAQs                   

ACT preparation is a personalized journey that requires ample time and a tailored approach. Starting 6-12 months before the test date provides enough time to build foundational knowledge, practice test-taking strategies, and refine performance through targeted preparation and practice exams.

Ideal Timeline for ACT Prep:

• 9-12 months: Ideal for students targeting highly competitive schools, allowing time to master advanced content and take multiple practice exams to refine pacing and strategy.

• 6-9 months: Works for students with a solid foundation who need focused practice to sharpen specific skills.

Why Time is Critical:

ACT prep often involves taking 10+ full-length practice tests to build stamina and refine strategy. For students who struggle with standardized exams, additional practice may be necessary. Ample preparation time ensures every student can progress at their own pace and achieve their personal best.

Section-Specific Strategies:

• English: Focus on grammar and rhetorical skills.

• Math: Build problem-solving abilities in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.

• Reading: Develop techniques for quick comprehension and analysis.

• Science: Strengthen skills in interpreting data and graphs efficiently.

Diagnostic Testing & Personalized Study Plan:

Preparation begins with a diagnostic test to identify areas needing improvement. This leads to a customized study plan focused on the student’s specific needs, ensuring effective use of study time.

Full-Length Practice Tests:

Regular timed practice tests, integrated throughout the prep timeline, help develop test-taking endurance and pacing. These tests are designed to simulate real conditions, allowing students to adjust their strategies and fine-tune their performance.

Final Push in the Last 4-6 Weeks:

The final phase of preparation focuses on reviewing any remaining content gaps, refining strategies, and building confidence with final practice tests.

A "good" ACT score depends on the colleges your student is targeting. Here's an accurate breakdown of typical ACT score ranges for various types of schools:

• Ivy League and Highly Selective Schools (e.g., Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, University of Chicago): 34-36 ACT scores are typical for admitted students​.

• Selective State Schools (e.g., University of Virginia, UNC Chapel Hill): Expect ACT scores in the 31-34 range.

  Mid-Tier Schools: Schools with moderately selective admissions often accept scores in the 28-32 range.

• Less Selective Schools: ACT scores between 24-27 may be acceptable at schools with less competitive admissions.

For more specific percentile rankings and to see where your student's score falls compared to other test-takers, please refer to the ACT score percentile distribution.

Merit-based aid depends on the institution, but most competitive scholarships typically require an ACT score of 30 or higher. For top-tier schools, the bar may be even higher. Here are some examples of well-known universities offering merit-based scholarships and their general ACT score expectations:

• Vanderbilt University: Requires an ACT score of 34-36 for its top merit scholarships, such as the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship.

• University of Southern California (USC): Competitive scholarships are available for students with ACT scores of 34+, though other factors are considered as well.

• Boston University: Merit scholarships generally start at an ACT score of 32-34, especially for programs like the Trustee Scholarship.

• University of Miami: Offers merit-based aid with a preference for students scoring 30+ on the ACT, with more significant awards for higher scores.

• University of Virginia: While merit-based aid is limited, an ACT score of 32-34 is often needed for competitive scholarships.

For students targeting top-tier institutions, aiming for an ACT score of 34 or higher significantly increases the likelihood of receiving merit-based scholarships. However, schools with less selective merit programs may still offer aid starting at scores around 30-32.

At Winning Academics, we offer a boutique, highly customized ACT and ISEE test prep program designed to help students achieve their highest scores. Whether preparing for the ACT or the ISEE, we provide one-on-one instruction tailored to each student’s specific needs, ensuring they receive the focused attention necessary for success.

For both tests, students work with two specialized tutors:

• For the ACT, one tutor focuses on Math and Science, while another specializes in English and Reading. This allows for expert guidance in each subject area, ensuring students are thoroughly prepared for every section of the ACT.

• For the ISEE, we offer the same two-tutor approach: one dedicated to Math Achievement and Quantitative Reasoning, and another to English and Reading Comprehension. This structure ensures comprehensive coverage of all ISEE sections, providing students with a competitive edge.

All sessions are conducted one-on-one, allowing students to receive the personalized attention they need without the pressure of group settings. This individualized learning environment encourages students to ask questions, improve their weaknesses, and build the confidence needed for test day.

We exclusively use previously released official ACT and ISEE exams, ensuring that all practice materials reflect the actual content of the tests. By focusing on real test questions, we maximize efficiency and provide targeted practice that helps students feel fully prepared.

Because we offer a highly personalized, boutique approach, we limit the number of students we accept each semester. This ensures every student receives the full attention they need to excel on standardized exams like the ACT and ISEE, while also building skills that will benefit them on future tests, such as graduate or professional entrance exams.

We don’t advertise a set number of point improvements because each student starts from a different place. For example, point increase promises are not helpful for students starting in the high teens or low 20s. Instead, our primary focus is on consistent, dedicated practice to help students achieve scores in the 97th percentile or above (32+).

For top-tier schools, a score of 34-36, which places students in the top 1% of test-takers nationwide, puts them in the competitive range for universities like the Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, and others.

No matter where a student begins, we believe they can achieve high scores with the right mentorship and patience. In fact, we’ve had students improve by as much as 14 points in the past. Our goal is to help students submit scores that enhance their college applications by falling within or above the average range of their top choices.

In recent years, while many schools adopted test-optional policies, data has shown that students who submitted test scores had a higher chance of acceptance. For example, for students admitted in the Fall of 2024, 83% of Harvard's accepted applicants had submitted standardized test scores, even though it was optional. This demonstrates that submitting strong test scores has been an advantage for many students, especially at highly competitive schools.

However, the landscape is changing. Starting with the Fall 2025 admissions cycle (for the Class of 2029), Harvard will require students to submit either SAT or ACT scores. Many other top schools, including MIT, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, and Stanford, are also reinstating their test requirements, though each has different start dates for this change. While test-optional policies may still be in place at some schools, submitting high test scores can significantly increase your student's chances of acceptance