Preparing for the ACT is a high-stakes challenge, and the sheer number of ACT test prep tools available can leave students feeling paralyzed. Between tight budgets, packed schedules, and the pressure to improve scores, it’s easy to waste time and money on resources that don’t align with your needs.
Maybe you’ve struggled with free materials that lacked structure or invested in pricey programs that fell short of expectations. But, choosing the right tools shouldn’t add to your stress.
This guide cuts through competing claims and marketing hype to highlight trusted ACT study tools and resources, including budget-friendly options and expert-recommended strategies.
Let’s explore your best options.
ACT test preparation research (2014 - 2021) reveals the following salient outcomes:
While ACT prep can modestly boost scores (averaging ~1 Composite point gain) and reduce test anxiety, especially for underserved students, success hinges on using high-quality ACT test prep tools tailored to your needs, budget, and learning style.
To help you navigate your options, here’s a detailed comparison of the top ACT test prep tools available today.
Here’s a quick comparison of the top 3 ACT prep tools:
Next, let’s dive into a breakdown of each of the five tools for ACT test prep and how it fits different learning styles!
Whether you're a student aiming for a top score, an educator designing ACT prep courses, or a parent looking for the best resources, these tools have something for everyone.
Let's break down the top five ACT prep tools that can help you ace the test with confidence.
EdisonOS is the ideal platform if you are an ACT tutor or an ACT prep coach, or an ACT Test prep institute to build a very high standard online ACT course. Your own Learning Management System (LMS), where you can design ACT prep courses, launch mock exams, log progress, and have the learners compete in gamified test prep.
For students, that translates into structured lessons, real-time assessments, and progress insights, all in one place. For educators, this means a completely branded ACT prep platform that takes your tutoring business to the next level!
Own Assessment Creation (BYOT): Tutors can create their own tests either using our 5000+ question library in 15 mins or with a question collection they have gathered over the years in their experience.
Bulk Upload: Tutors can upload a collection of questions in one go. They can create a bunch of questions in the set format defined by EdisonOS in an Excel file and then hit upload to a question library.
AI Question Extraction (beta): Tutors can give a PDF or image input to the platform, and using AI, we will extract the questions, answers, options, reasons, what type of questions they are, what type of test it is, and replicate them as an assessment or in a folder under the question library.
Tutor Mode: Students can enable the Tutor Mode to get the correct answer is and the reasoning behind it. Now, instead of discussing wrong answers and explanations in a separate students can get them in real-time.
Offline Mode: Tutors can conduct offline tests by downloading the test in PDF format, and there will also be a bubble sheet (OMR) available in the interface. They can input the answers into the bubble sheet, and the platform will evaluate the inputs and give them their scaled score
Public Assessments: Tutors can make any assessment publicly available. They just need to copy the public link and distribute it in any forum they want.
Near-real ACT Test Interface: EdisonOS can mimic the ACT test interface screen by screen, button by button, and give the tutors and their students a near-real test experience. It includes not only the look and feel of the test but also the tools provided on the test like Desmos/basic calculator, highlighter, zoom tool, flagging questions, interactive images, charts, graphs, tables, timer, break session, move through sections, proctoring, underline tool, and line reader tool.
Practice Question Formats: Tutors can create and assign practice tests to students. They can choose from different question formats (table, fill in the blanks, drag and drop)that they want to provide practice on. Students will be trained in the exact question formats that will be used in the official test.
Live Sessions: Tutors can conduct live sessions to rectify their wrong answers, understanding why they made them, strategizing for lessons and tests, and giving feedback on their progress over the week. This happens either offline, online, or often in a hybrid mode.
Reporting: EdisonOS provides a detailed report of the scaled score, section analysis, skill analysis, time analysis, question analysis, session logs, and many more data points. Tutors can adjust the weightages of conversion for each test so they can make a student take an easy test or a hard test and analyze their performance accordingly. Results can also be sent to parents/guardians by simply entering their email IDs—the platform will automatically send the reports, keeping parents informed about their child’s progress.
Question Analytics: Tutors can show students the correct answers, their incorrect answers, the time taken per question, how many of their peers got the answer right, and the difficulty percentage of each question based on data from other students’ attempts.
Pros:
If you want real ACT questions, direct from the source, this is the tool for you! The Official ACT Prep platform is created by the ACT makers themselves, so you get access to full-length official practice tests, interactive lessons, and video explanations.
Imagine this—you’re playing a video game, and you have access to the exact cheat codes from the game developers. That’s how it feels using this tool. If you’re aiming for a high score, practicing with real ACT questions is a no-brainer.
Pricing: Free to $85.45 (ACT Prep Plus)
Do you like studying at your own pace? Prefer watching videos over reading thick books? Then Magoosh ACT Prep is your perfect match. It’s an affordable, flexible option that offers video explanations, practice questions, and adaptive learning technology to help you focus on your weak areas.
Let’s say you’re struggling with ACT Math but acing the English section—Magoosh will adjust your study plan so you spend more time where you need it. It's like having a personal tutor in your pocket but without the hefty price tag.
Pricing: The platform offers a 7-day free trial and the self-paced plan starts from $129/year
If your goal is to score 30+, Princeton Review ACT Prep is designed to push you there. It offers live online courses, expert tutoring, and an AI-driven study plan that tailors lessons to your strengths & weaknesses.
Imagine this—you’re training for a marathon. Would you follow a generic running plan, or would you work with a coach who tailors the training to your speed & endurance? That’s the Princeton Review approach—it’s highly personalized and comes with a score guarantee.
Pricing: $499 to $3,000
If you love practice questions and believe that practice makes perfect, UWorld ACT Prep is a must-have. It offers 2,000+ practice questions with detailed explanations so you understand why an answer is right (or wrong).
Think of it like affiliate marketing—you need to test different strategies before finding the one that works best. UWorld helps you test and refine your ACT strategies by exposing you to high-quality practice questions and explanations.
Pricing: $99 to $199
Preparing for the ACT can be daunting, but the right ACT prep tools can help you transform your study sessions into a productive and interactive experience. From personalized learning platforms to adaptive assessments, the options are many to help you achieve your goal score.
All of the tools we discussed have their advantages, but some ways shine out the competition in features, flexibility, and cost.
Whether you’re a student working towards the perfect score or an educator inspiring students to excel, using the right prep tool can be the difference between success and failure. With gamification, LMS integration, and data-driven assessments, the right solution is glaringly obvious.
So now grab your tool, prepare, and crush the ACT with confidence!
There are many good quality free ACT prep resources available, but ACT.org’s official preparation is unique: real practice questions, full-length tests, and study guides.
Some other great options are EdisonOS, Khan Academy, Varsity Tutor, and Magoosh’s free resources, which offer video lessons and practice quizzes.
Yes! ACT preparation resources offer guided study schedules, personalized learning experiences, and expert tips to enhance students' score potential.
Free resources are a helpful start, but premium tools often include personalized feedback, AI-driven assessments, and in-depth analytics, making them a wise investment for those gunning for top-tier scores.
Consider your learning style, budget, and study goals. If you prefer self-paced learning, an interactive online course works best. For structured guidance, a coaching-based platform is ideal.
Look for features like practice tests, gamification, and adaptive learning to ensure effective preparation.
Absolutely! Combining resources can enhance your learning.
For example, you can use a free tool like ACT.org for official practice tests, an adaptive learning tool for targeted weaknesses, and an LMS-based platform for structured coaching. Just ensure you’re not overwhelmed—balance is key!
No tool can guarantee a higher score, but the right prep tool can significantly improve your performance by offering personalized study plans, real test simulations, and expert strategies.
Your dedication and consistency play a huge role, so make sure to use the tools effectively and practice regularly!
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