The Best ACT Tutors in Columbus, Ohio
Please use our secure registration form to sign up for tutoring.
Some people are great at taking tests; others are great at explaining things. We only hire tutors who are excellent at both. Company president Brian Stewart personally evaluates and thoroughly trains every tutor. Before even earning an interview, candidates must have test scores in at least the 95th percentile and must have extensive instructional experience. Before going into the field, tutors must complete a rigorous teaching evaluation to demonstrate that (1) they can explain any question students might have on the practice material and (2) they can offer customized ACT strategy advice and content instruction to students. It is no surprise that we hire less than 4% of our applicants. For more information, please check out our testimonials and staff introductions.
Highest Quality ACT Test Prep Materials
Practice only makes perfect if you are using the right materials. Our students use previous real ACT tests and ACT practice tests we have created. The quality of our materials was recognized by Barron’s Educational Series, which selected them after a nationwide search for its new series of ACT books. Brian’s Barron’s ACT is a best-selling book for ACT prep worldwide.
Completely Customized Instruction
Working with students one-on-one enables us to meet their unique learning needs. What works for one student to prepare for the ACT will not necessarily work for another. Among the factors we consider in customizing our preparation:
- How has a student done previously on the Pre-ACT, PSAT, and/or ACT?
- What is a student’s baseline knowledge of English grammar, ACT math, or other key ACT test content?
- Does the student receive extended time or other testing accommodations due to an IEP or 504 Plan?
- How much of a factor is test anxiety?
- What are the student’s goals for an ACT score and college admission?
Your registration form will give us the information we need to match your child with the best tutor for his or her overall situation. Our tutors continually tailor their instruction by communicating with parents, conversing with students, and evaluating student performance during every tutoring session.
Our tutoring represents the best value in ACT test preparation in Columbus, Ohio.
Individual Tutoring
Please use our secure registration form to sign up for tutoring. (If you are registering using a mobile device, review the tutoring options on our FAQs page.) Tutors usually book up at least a month in advance, so email us as soon as possible to begin the enrollment process.
Tutoring with an associate tutor is currently $90 per hour for individual ACT tutoring. Learn more about our associate ACT tutors here.
ACT tutoring with company President Brian Stewart is currently $180 per hour.
Group Tutoring
Associate tutors can work with pairs of students who have similar goals and ability level at a per-student per-hour rate of $63 ($126 total for the hour for both students). Brian can work with pairs of students who have similar goals and ability levels at a per-student per-hour rate of $126 ($252 total for the hour for both students). We do not have a list of students waiting to be placed to work with other students in pairs. If you form your own pair, we can try to accommodate you.
If you would like to arrange a customized group package for 3 or more students, please email us for details. Also, consider one of our Group ACT Test Prep Classes.
Scheduling
Based on your registration information, we will match you with a tutor whose schedule and location matches yours. Our tutors are generally available on afternoons, evenings, and weekends, but not all tutors are available at all times and locations.
We recommend approximately 10-30 hours of ACT tutoring leading up to a particular ACT test date, depending on a student’s unique situation. If you are not sure as to how much tutoring is needed, we recommend scheduling an initial appointment. At the end of the session, you and the tutor can discuss a plan going forward.
ACT tutoring sessions are typically 1.5-2 hours in length to allow for sufficient time to cover the material in-depth.
Sometimes students like to begin with a group class and follow up with individual tutoring afterwards. Please let us know in your registration form if you are doing tutoring along with a group class so that the tutor will know what you have already covered.
What is the ACT test?
The ACT is a 4-hour college admissions standardized test accepted by universities in the United States as part of the college application. It is a general test of the academic skills that students should have to be well-prepared for college. The ACT has 4 core sections that cover the following academic and critical thinking skills:
- English—Editing and grammar skills
- Math—Algebra, geometry, trigonometry
- Reading—Reading comprehension
- Science—Analysis of scientific information
There is also an optional essay that is only required by a handful of colleges.
When is the ACT given?
ACT test dates in the 2024-25 school year are:
- September 14, 2024
- October 26, 2024
- December 14, 2024
- February 8, 2025
- April 5, 2025
- June 14, 2025
- July 12, 2025
For students in Ohio, there are in-school ACT test dates in February and March depending on the particular school district.
When should I take the ACT?
Most students find it helpful to take the ACT once in the fall of Junior year, once in the spring of Junior year, and once in the fall of Senior year. Individual circumstances vary so contact us for recommendations on your personal situation. Here is a more detailed analysis of test-taking schedules.
How do I register for the ACT?
Go to www.actstudent.org. If you are eligible for extended time due to an I.E.P. or 504 Plan due to a learning disability like ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, concussions, or traumatic brain injury, please go to this website: www.actstudent.org/regist/disab/.
How many times should I take the ACT?
Most students improve on the second time that they take the ACT, so students should try the ACT at least twice. Since many schools “superscore,” i.e., take the best score from each individual section over multiple ACT test dates, it can be advantageous to retake the ACT to improve upon particular sections. So, taking the ACT 3-4 total times during the Junior and Senior years of high school is quite reasonable. Here is a more detailed breakdown on the subject.
How is the ACT scored?
The ACT is scored on a curve that is adjusted on each test date to ensure that results from one ACT test compare fairly to those of another ACT test. It is scored on a 1-36 scale, with a 36 being a perfect score. The national average ACT score is around a 21. Each of the four main sections—English, Math, Reading, and Science—is scored from 1-36. The overall composite score is taken from a simple average of the individual test sections. The ACT writing score is reported on the score report, but it does not factor into the overall composite score.
What is a good score on the ACT?
This depends on the college to which a student is applying. You can search for average ACT scores for particular colleges through googling or going to the school’s admissions website. ACT score averages are typically reported as a range from the 25th to the 75th percentiles of admitted students. Here are some score ranges for well-known colleges:
Harvard University: 33-35
Ohio State University: 28-32
Ohio University: 21-26
When should I start preparing for the ACT?
Most students like to prepare in the junior or senior year for the ACT. Often, students take an actual ACT after just a little bit of preparation to see where they need to improve. Then, they can do more in-depth test preparation that targets their areas of weakness. We have had students start their preparation as early as middle school and as late as the fall of their senior year. Whatever schedule works best for your student, we can develop a customized tutoring plan.
What should I do the night before the ACT?
While it can be fine to “cram” the night before many tests taken in school, this will not work for the ACT. Students should rest and relax so that they have maximum energy to think clearly on test day.
What should I bring with me to the ACT?
Students should bring an approved calculator, a watch (not one connected to the Internet or one that makes noise), real pencils (not mechanical), a drink/snack to have during breaks, a photo identification, and the admissions ticket.
Can I order a copy of my ACT test?
For the December, April, and June tests, you can order a copy of your ACT test booklet and answers by requesting the ACT Test Information Release when you register, or by going here on the ACT website: www.actstudent.org/scores/release.html.
What is the difference between the SAT and ACT?
The ACT is considered by many students to be a bit more straight-forward than the SAT but more difficult to finish. The SAT has more vocabulary usage questions, which the ACT does not; the ACT has science reasoning, which the SAT does not. With the recently revised SAT, the tests are much more similar than they have been in the past. However, when the SAT transitions to a digital format in 2023, students who prefer a paper-based assessment should try the ACT. Here is a more detailed summary of the similarities and differences between the SAT and ACT.
What does “test-optional” mean for the ACT?
It means that while the school may want students to submit test results, they are not required for an application. Other items, like letters of recommendation, lists of extracurricular activities, and additional essays are often also “optional,” but definitely worth submitting to improve your chances for admission. Test-optional is different from the much less popular “test-blind” admissions, in which the school will not consider test results. Generally speaking, if you are able to score at least in the 25th percentile for admitted students, submitting your test scores will likely help your overall application.
Why should I work with an ACT tutor?
While some students do just fine preparing for major assessments like the ACT on their own, many students can benefit from the guidance of an experienced tutoring professional. Here are just a few of the ways that our tutors can help your child:
• Analyzing previous test scores to determine an appropriate plan
• Providing targeted review of English and math content knowledge
• Helping students develop a test-taking strategy that is most suitable for their personal situation
• Counseling students on how to minimize test anxiety and maximize test day focus
• Giving the structure and accountability for students to get the work done to see better test results
What makes BWS Education Consulting the best option for ACT tutoring?
Company President Brian Stewart—the author of Barron’s ACT, Barron’s SAT, and Barron’s PSAT/NMSQT—personally trains each of our staff members. Before being permitted to work with students, tutors must pass a rigorous teaching evaluation with Brian on their pedagogical skills and content knowledge. Our tutors have all performed extraordinarily well on tests, yet have patient and warm demeanors, enabling them to teach students in the most effective possible way.
Where do I meet for ACT tutoring?
We can meet students in-person in Franklin County, Ohio—we meet students at public locations, like libraries and coffee shops. We provide ACT tutoring to students from suburbs like Dublin, Worthington, Bexley, Upper Arlington, New Albany, Powell, Hilliard, and Grandview Heights.
How much ACT tutoring will my child need?
Prior to a particular ACT, we recommend that students schedule approximately 10-30 hours of tutoring. Many ambitious students like to schedule weekly tutoring over several months leading up to an important ACT test date. Students usually meet for 1-2 hour sessions depending on their attentiveness and schedule, so if a student can schedule a few weeks in advance of a test, we can typically accommodate the needed hours. Unlike other many other tutoring companies, we do not require you to purchase a large package of tutoring—your student can do as much or as little tutoring as your schedule and budget allow.
How can I find out more about ACT Tutoring with BWS Education Consulting?
Please check out our in-depth FAQs on our ACT tutoring process.