Preparing for the SAT or ACT can feel overwhelming—especially when traditional test prep programs force you to cover all of the material you might see on test day regardless of what's most likely to appear or what you already know. That’s where adaptive test prep comes in. 

If you want to boost your ACT scores and your chances of getting accepted into your dream college, high-quality test prep is key. One way to enhance your ACT prep is by working with a test prep company, like PrepScholar or UWorld.

These providers of ACT prep use tried and tested strategies to guide your prep, but their prep programs are built to meet the needs of different kinds of learners. 

Standardized test prep is undergoing a massive transformation, and at the center of it all is Artificial Intelligence (AI). From generating custom practice problems to explaining complex grammar rules, many students are now leaning on Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT to get "tutoring-style" help for the SAT and ACT.

But as AI becomes a staple in the study process, a big question remains: Is AI actually worth the hype?

In this article, we’ll dive into what AI tutors actually are, how they function in a test-prep context, and the honest pros and cons of using them to study. We’ll also walk you through PrepScholar’s new AI Learning Assistant—a tool specifically engineered to move past generic chatbot answers and deliver the targeted, high-level instruction that actually moves the needle on your score.

Let’s dig in.

AI tools like ChatGPT have quickly become popular study companions. They can explain concepts, generate practice questions, and answer academic questions in seconds. For SAT and ACT prep, that convenience can make them feel like a complete solution. But while AI engines are helpful study aids, they’re not enough on their own to prepare for high‑stakes standardized tests. Effective prep requires realistic practice, structured guidance, and targeted feedback—areas where general AI tools still fall short.

Getting a great ACT score is a key component to getting into many schools—which means you may consider working with a trusted test prep company to make sure you get the score you need.

Both PrepScholar and Varsity Tutors offer ACT test prep services for students like you. Knowing the differences between their offerings can help you make a decision about which company is the best fit for you. 

A redesigned version of the ACT was recently released, showcasing new features, content, and challenges. To succeed on the revamped exam, you need top quality prep built by ACT experts.

Two of the biggest names in ACT prep are Kaplan and PrepScholar. Both of these companies provide a range of program options for ACT prep, and while they share the goal of helping you improve your ACT scores, they’re tailored to meet the needs of different types of students.

With college admissions becoming more and more competitive, you need top ACT scores in order to stand out. And one of the best ways to boost your ACT scores is by working with an experienced test prep company.

PrepScholar and Magoosh both offer popular and effective online ACT prep programs with research-backed prep methods and guaranteed results. However, there are some significant differences between these two programs.

Planning to take the ACT this year? Then you're probably wondering, "What's a good ACT score for 2026?" In this in-depth guide, we walk through three different ways you can define good ACT scores for 2026 (or any other year!) and then explain how to figure out the ACT score youneed to meet your goals.

When it comes to preparing for the ACT, you can’t beat the comprehensiveness, personalization, and quality of a professional ACT prep program. Earning top scores is crucial if you want to get into your dream college, and working with experts is one of the best ways to ensure you’ll hit your score goals.

If you’re familiar with PrepScholar and Princeton Review, you already know that they’re two of the leading providers of ACT prep today. But there are some significant differences between these two ACT prep programs, and figuring out how they work is the first step to deciding which one is the right fit for you and your ACT score goals.

College admission is growing more competitive every year. That means high school students need to seize every opportunity to make their college applications stand out. 

One of the smartest moves? Summer test prep! 

Summer test prep isn't just about filling those long days when you're not in school. It also gives you a competitive advantage,  which matters when you're trying to get into your dream school! 

In this guide, we’ll give you the top 5 reasons you should start your SAT and ACT prep over the summer, as well as give you a few tips to help you make the most of your time.

Whether you're currently studying to take the ACT or took it in 2021-2024, you might be curious about how your ACT percentile compares to students who took the ACT in past years.

In this article, we'll go over what percentiles are, how percentiles work on the ACT, and why ACT percentiles matter. We also lay out ACT percentile charts for 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 so you can see how your score compares to historical ACT scores.

Have you taken the ACT recently or are registered to take it soon? If so, you probably want to know what a good ACT score for 2025 is. What ACT score should you aim for, and how can you know if it'll be enough to get you into your dream college?

In this guide, we'll explain three ways you can define good ACT scores for 2025. We'll also take a look at how the definition of a good ACT score has changed in recent years.

For decades, students who wanted to take the ACT had to sharpen their #2 pencils, open up a paper test, and bubble in their responses. However, that's started to change!

In December 2023, the ACT launched a pilot test of a new digital ACT. Then, in early 2024, access to the digital ACT expanded so that more students in the US can choose between the online and paper versions of the ACT. (Note: all students abroad must take the online version of the ACT.) Currently, all students in the US have the option to take the online ACT or the paper ACT.

How do the paper and digital ACT differ? Which version of the ACT should you take? What are the pros and cons of each version of the test? We answer all these questions in this expert guide!

This just in: changes to ACT testing are coming! The CEO of the ACT announced in July 2024 that students could expect major ACT changes beginning in spring 2025 and continuing through spring 2026. 

So, what exactly are the biggest ACT test changes? In this article, we’ll share everything we know about the ACT exam changes, including:

• When the changes in ACT testing go into effect 
• How the test is shortened, including adjustments to reading passages 
• Which sections are now optional 
• How experimental questions are being added to the test

Let’s dive in!

If you’ve found this article, I assume it’s crunch time, and your ACT test date is in the next couple weeks. If you do not fall into this category (you have a bit of time—one month or more—before your test date), you can still read this guide for some study strategies, but I recommend you take advantage of all the time you have by spreading your ACT preparation out. Don't wait until the last 10 days to cram.

Though quality matters in your ACT prep, quantity is also important: you have to invest a lot of time if you want to see big improvements. You can make a lot of progress in 10 days, but you need to dedicate the necessary time to improve your ACT score. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to raise your score by up to four points in just 10 days.