Finding the Best ACT Prep Resources

If you have a student preparing for the ACT, you have a lot of options for test prep. Some resources are genuinely useful, others are outdated, and many are designed for audiences very different from today’s ACT test takers. The most effective preparation comes from understanding what types of resources exist, how they are accessed, and what role each plays in building skills, confidence, and pacing. Strong ACT prep is less about doing everything and more about choosing the right combination of tools that match your student’s goals and timeline.

Today, let’s take a look at the different types of resources that are available for students. One thing is certain: No matter what type of student you have or what resources you choose, prep is important. You need to know what’s out there to make the right decision.

Official ACT Prep Resources

The ACT itself puts out study resources for students preparing for the test. These are created by the same people who write the exam, which makes them a natural starting point for preparation. These materials include practice tests, online quizzes, a question of the day, and tips and tricks in the form of tutorials. There is also an option that lets students practice with their calculators. 

The biggest advantage of these official resources is accuracy. Practice questions follow the same logic, wording, and structure as real ACT questions. This helps students learn how the test writers think, which is especially helpful for timing and question interpretation. Official practice tests are also the most reliable way to predict score ranges, since third party estimates can vary widely.

That said, official resources are usually limited in explanation depth– and there are limitations as to how much of this material is actually out there in the first place. Answer rationales often focus on why the correct choice works rather than teaching the underlying skill. For students who already understand the material, this can be enough. For students who need instruction or strategy guidance, official resources work best when paired with teaching focused prep.

Free ACT Prep Resources

Free ACT prep resources can be valuable if students know how to use them strategically. These include diagnostic quizzes, practice questions, video explanations, and printable worksheets offered by reputable test prep companies, educators, and nonprofits. Most are accessible online without payment, though some require account creation.

The strength of free resources lies in flexibility. Students can target specific areas like grammar rules, reading passage strategies, or math formulas without committing to a full program. Free tools are also useful early in the prep process, when students are still figuring out where they struggle most. For example, a short diagnostic quiz can reveal patterns that guide future study decisions. Getting ahead of their prep can really help a student figure out what direction they need to take.

But there are problems with free resources, namely consistency and applicability. Free resources vary in quality and how well they mesh with the current ACT format. And there’s no guarantee that the material is accurate; after all, some materials rely on older versions of the test or oversimplify strategies in ways that do not hold up under timed conditions. And if the materials do rely on older tests, then they’re not going to be particularly applicable to the current test. One key element here is the paper or digital version. If you’re doing digital prep for the paper version, or vice versa, you’re going to run into issues on test day because you’re unfamiliar with the format. 

Another issue with free resources is direction. When a student has guided study, there’s a reasonable expectation that they’ll work on the areas they actually need to work on. But with free resources, it can be hard to realize exactly where the work needs to be done. Learners are naturally drawn to the path of least resistance, and if they don’t have direction from somebody who can identify their weak points, many students find themselves practicing what they’re already good at because they feel more comfortable with the positive reinforcement they get from getting the answers right. But that isn’t going to help them with the harder parts, which means that they’ll struggle more on test day. So if your student is planning on using free prep, you should guide them towards sources that update content regularly and explain why answers work, rather than just providing solutions. Free resources aren’t necessarily bad– they’re just also not necessarily complete.

ACT Classes

ACT classes offer structured instruction led by experienced teachers who understand both the content and the test itself. These classes may be offered in person or online and usually follow a set schedule over several weeks. Students typically enroll through test prep companies that specialize in standardized exams.

The main benefit of ACT classes is guided learning. Students receive direct instruction on tested concepts, pacing strategies, and question patterns. Classes also create accountability, which helps students stick to a study plan even during busy school schedules. Many students find that hearing strategies explained aloud makes them easier to apply on test day.

Classes work best for students who benefit from structure and interaction. They are especially effective when paired with homework assignments and full length practice tests that reinforce what is taught in class. A well designed ACT class balances instruction with practice so students learn how to apply skills under realistic conditions.

Individual Tutoring

Classes aren’t ideal for every student, though; if your student is naturally quiet, they might struggle to be heard in a group setting. Private ACT tutoring provides individualized instruction tailored to a student’s specific strengths and weaknesses. Tutoring sessions are usually one on one and can be scheduled around the student’s availability. Many students access tutoring through established test prep providers that train tutors specifically for the ACT.

The value of tutoring comes from customization. A tutor can identify inefficient habits, clarify misunderstood concepts, and adjust pacing strategies in real time. This is particularly helpful for students with uneven section scores or those aiming for competitive score improvements. Tutoring can also support students with test anxiety by building confidence through targeted practice.

Private tutoring tends to be most effective when students come prepared with practice test data and clear goals. Rather than reteaching everything, strong tutors focus on high impact improvements that move scores efficiently. This makes tutoring a powerful option for students with limited prep time before their test date, or students who have taken the test before and have a specific score goal in mind.

Choosing the Right Mix of Resources

No single ACT prep resource works perfectly for every student. The most successful prep plans combine accuracy, instruction, and practice in a way that fits the student’s learning style and schedule. You and your student should think about how they learn best, and make the test prep decision that way. ACT prep has never been more accessible, but at the same time, the vast sea of resources available can make it a challenging prospect. 

Parents and students should also consider consistency. Using too many unrelated resources can create confusion rather than clarity. A smaller set of well-chosen tools, used intentionally, leads to better results than scattered practice from dozens of sources. At Prep Expert®, we’ve already done the work for you. When your student studies with us, our top 1% ACT instructors work with them to accomplish their goals using the most up-to-date strategies– so much so that we guarantee improvement. We offer courses and private tutoring for every ACT test date; if your student is preparing for the ACT, browse our course catalogue today to find a plan that works for them.