Information about The digital ACT
The ACT is a standardized test created and organized by ACT, Inc., and is used by colleges and universities to measure a student’s academic ability and college-readiness. Beginning in 2025, the state of Illinois will require all high school students attending public school to take the ACT to graduate. In Illinois, the ACT will be administered digitally. Unlike the digital SAT, which features adaptive modules, the digital ACT is exactly like the paper ACT, just online. If you'd like to read more about the difference between the SAT and the ACT, click here.
Not including the optional essay, the test is 2 hours and 55 minutes long in total. It is scored on a scale from 1-36.
English
The English section tests a student's command of grammar rules, effective language, and standard English conventions. Students will have 45 minutes to answer 75 multiple choice questions for an average of 36 seconds per question.
Reading
The reading section tests a student's ability to critically read and understand passages. Students will have 35 minutes to answer 40 questions for an average of 52 seconds per question.
Science
The science section measures a student's ability to interpret, analyze, problem-solve, and draw conclusions in a scientific context. Students have 35 minutes to answer 40 questions for an average of 52 seconds per question.
Math
The math section tests a student's understanding of math topics that have typically been covered in courses up to the beginning of grade 12. Students have 60 minutes to answer 60 questions for an average of 60 seconds per question.
Writing (optional)
The optional writing section includes one writing prompt that describes a complex issue and provides three different perspectives on that issue. You will be required to come up with your own viewpoint on this topic and evaluate how it relates to the given viewpoints. Scores are provided on a scale from 2-12. The ACT writing section is optional, but some schools require it, so be sure to check your prospective school's application guidelines.
ACT Test Prep Classes
What material is covered during the course? The Test Prep Chicago ACT Prep course prepares students for the English, Reading, Science, and Math sections of the digital ACT.
Why choose Test Prep Chicago? Our courses are structured around 3 core learning principles: Teach, Practice, Apply; Building Blocks; and Practice Makes Perfect. Learn more about our philosophy.
Who should take this course? Any 10th-12th grader who is planning on taking the ACT as part of their college admissions process. High schoolers in Illinois should know that the ACT is replacing the SAT as the state's high school accountability assessment in 2025. We know the college admissions process can be extremely demanding, and our course will give students a competitive advantage for their ACT scores.
What materials will my child receive? Your child will receive weekly packets that include worksheets for use in class. These handouts include easy-to-understand teaching notes as well as practice questions. Our materials are designed to facilitate active learning by striking the right balance between instruction and student participation. Students will also have access to weekly online homework assignments (in our online testing platform) that will allow them to hone the skills learned in class. The online homework assignments will mimic the online format of the digital ACT.
How will my child's improvement be measured? Students will take an online diagnostic exam (during Session 1) to measure their strengths and weaknesses. An online final exam will be administered (during Session 8) to measure how students have improved during the course. Additionally, graded homework assignments will provide insight into your child's weekly comprehension and improvement.
What communication will I receive during the course? You will receive weekly emails from your child's teacher detailing what topics were covered in each class. Additionally, parents/students can access practice test results and weekly homework results in our online testing platform. These results include detailed analysis of each section broken down into separate subtopics.
Who will be teaching my child? Your child will be taught by one of Test Prep Chicago's highly skilled instructors. All Test Prep Chicago instructors have completed our intensive interview and training process.
How long is the course? Our course consists of 8 three-hour sessions offered once a week.
Where and when will classes be held? Classes will be held weekdays after school and on weekends. Classes will be taught in your child's high school or, when necessary, at a nearby school or public classroom.
What is the course tuition? What is included in the tuition payment? The tuition for our SAT courses is $895 (~$37/hour for in-class instruction). This tuition covers all in-class instruction, test prep material, and online testing material in our online testing platform.
