Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort level, but most students see meaningful gains within 4-8 weeks of focused preparation. Students who work with tutors on essay structure, argument development, and time management often improve by 2-4 points on the 2-12 scale. The key is practicing under timed conditions and getting personalized feedback on your specific weaknesses—whether that's thesis clarity, supporting evidence, or managing the 40-minute constraint.

Many students struggle with time management, trying to write a perfect essay in just 40 minutes and leaving no time for revision. Others find it difficult to quickly analyze multiple perspectives and take a clear position, or they write strong arguments but fail to explicitly connect their ideas back to the prompt. Additionally, some students underestimate the importance of organization and clarity—the section rewards logical structure and concise writing over length or flowery language.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who diagnose your specific writing challenges—whether that's brainstorming quickly, structuring arguments, or managing time. Tutors work with you on essay templates and strategies tailored to ACT prompts, help you practice under realistic timed conditions, and provide detailed feedback on each draft. This personalized approach means you're not just learning generic writing tips; you're building the exact skills and confidence you need to excel on test day.

Most students benefit from writing 8-12 full practice essays under timed conditions (40 minutes) to build speed and confidence. Start with 2-3 essays to identify your main weaknesses, then focus your practice on those areas. Between essays, review your tutor's feedback and refine your approach—quality practice with reflection beats quantity. In your final week, do 1-2 more timed essays to maintain your pacing and stay sharp.

Your first session will focus on understanding where you stand. A tutor will likely have you write a practice essay under timed conditions to assess your current strengths and weaknesses—such as how quickly you can develop ideas, organize your thoughts, or manage time. From there, you'll create a personalized study plan that targets your specific challenges, whether that's argument clarity, evidence quality, or test anxiety. Expect honest feedback and a clear roadmap for improvement.

The ACT Writing section asks you to analyze multiple perspectives and take your own position, while the SAT Essay (if offered) typically focuses on analyzing how an author builds an argument. ACT essays emphasize your reasoning and examples, whereas SAT essays emphasize textual analysis. If you're preparing for both tests, a tutor can help you understand these differences and develop strategies for each format—they're related skills but require slightly different approaches.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about what to expect or lack of confidence in your abilities. Tutoring builds confidence through repeated practice in low-pressure settings, so you walk into test day knowing exactly what to do. Tutors also teach time management and breathing strategies to help you stay calm under pressure. By the time you take the real test, the format and process feel familiar—which dramatically reduces anxiety and helps you perform at your best.