ACT Math gives you 60 minutes for 60 questions, which means pacing is critical. Expert tutors help you develop a personalized strategy: some students benefit from tackling easier questions first to build confidence and secure points, while others work straight through and skip only the toughest problems. The real skill is recognizing which questions you can solve quickly versus which ones will eat up time—and knowing when to move on. Practice tests are essential here; they help you calibrate your speed and identify patterns in which question types slow you down.

Houston students typically struggle with word problems that require translating English into equations, trigonometry concepts (especially in the later questions), and questions that combine multiple skills. Many also underestimate the importance of reading the question carefully—misreading what's being asked costs points more often than not knowing the math. Tutors help you slow down on these tricky questions, develop a consistent problem-solving approach, and build confidence in areas where you've had gaps in your coursework.

The best way is to take a full practice test under timed conditions, then review every single problem you missed or guessed on—not just to see the answer, but to understand why you got it wrong. Did you misunderstand the concept? Make a careless error? Run out of time? Tutors excel at this diagnostic work; they'll pinpoint patterns (like "you consistently miss coordinate geometry problems" or "you rush through algebra and make sign errors") and create a focused study plan. Once you know your weak spots, studying becomes much more efficient.

Your first session is all about assessment and planning. Tutors will review your practice test scores, discuss your target score and timeline, and work through a few problems with you to understand your strengths and gaps. This helps them create a personalized study plan tailored to your needs—whether you need foundational concept review, test-taking strategy work, or just targeted practice on your toughest topics. You'll leave with clarity on what to focus on and how your tutoring will help you reach your goal.

Most students benefit from 1-2 tutoring sessions per week combined with independent practice between sessions. Consistency matters more than intensity; regular weekly work helps concepts stick and gives you time to practice what you've learned. If you're starting 8-12 weeks before test day with a goal of improving 2-3 points, weekly sessions plus 3-4 hours of independent practice is a solid approach. Your tutor can adjust the frequency based on your progress and how close you are to test day.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about your approach. Tutors build confidence by helping you master the content, practice under realistic timed conditions, and develop a consistent strategy for tackling problems. When you've done dozens of practice problems and know exactly how you'll approach each question type, the actual test feels much less intimidating. Many tutors also teach specific techniques like strategic guessing, managing time pressure, and staying calm when you encounter a hard problem.

Look for tutors with strong math backgrounds (ideally with college-level math coursework or teaching experience) and specific experience preparing students for the ACT. They should understand the ACT Math section's unique format and question types—which are different from typical school math tests. It's also valuable if they've helped multiple students improve their scores and can explain their approach clearly. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who meet these standards and can work with your schedule and learning style.