Looking for expert ACT tutoring in Columbus, Ohio? BWS Education Consulting offers the best in-person and online ACT tutoring for students throughout Columbus and the surrounding Franklin County suburbs, including Bexley, Upper Arlington, Dublin, New Albany, Worthington, Grandview Heights, and Hilliard.
Register for ACT TutoringWork with the Best ACT Tutors in Columbus, Ohio
Company President Brian W. Stewart is the author of the best-selling Barron’s ACT, a top-selling ACT prep book worldwide. In addition to personally tutoring students, Brian has thoroughly trained every one of our ACT associate tutors. When you work with BWS Education Consulting, you are working with nationally recognized experts in the field.
Some people are great at taking tests; others are great at explaining things. We only hire tutors who are excellent at both. 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 ACT 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 their overall situation. Our tutors continually tailor their instruction by communicating with parents, conversing with students, and evaluating student performance during every tutoring session.
Contact UsWhere Do We Offer ACT Tutoring in Columbus?
We offer in-person ACT tutoring throughout Columbus and Franklin County. We meet students at convenient public locations such as libraries and coffee shops. Our tutors serve students from the following areas:
- Columbus
- Dublin
- Upper Arlington
- Bexley
- Worthington
- New Albany
- Grandview Heights
- Hilliard
- Powell
We also offer online ACT tutoring for students anywhere in the United States.
ACT Tutoring Pricing
Our tutoring represents the best value in ACT test preparation in Columbus, Ohio.
Individual Tutoring
- Tutoring with an associate tutor: $90 per hour. Learn more about our associate ACT tutors.
- ACT tutoring with company President Brian Stewart: $200 per hour.
Pair Tutoring
- Associate tutors can work with pairs of students at $63 per student per hour ($126 total).
- Brian can work with pairs of students at $140 per student per hour ($280 total).
We do not maintain a waiting list to place students with others. If you form your own pair of students with similar goals and ability levels, we can try to accommodate you. For customized group packages of 3 or more students, please email us for details. Also consider one of our Group ACT Test Prep Classes.
Unlike 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.
Scheduling Your ACT Tutoring
Based on your registration information, we will match your child with a tutor whose schedule and location work for your family. Our tutors are generally available on afternoons, evenings, and weekends, though 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 your student’s unique situation. If you are unsure 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 alongside a group class so the tutor will know what you have already covered.
Tutors usually book up at least a month in advance, so register as soon as possible to begin the enrollment process.
Register for ACT TutoringFrequently Asked Questions About the ACT
What Is the ACT Test?
The ACT is a 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 3 core sections:
- English — Editing and grammar skills
- Math — Algebra, geometry, trigonometry
- Reading — Reading comprehension
There are two optional sections — Science and Writing — that are only required by a handful of colleges. Students interested in studying a STEM field may want to take the Science section to showcase their science proficiency.
When Is the ACT Given?
ACT test dates in the 2025–26 school year are:
- September 6, 2025
- October 18, 2025
- December 13, 2025
- February 14, 2026
- April 11, 2026
- June 13, 2026
- July 11, 2026
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 — 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 IEP or 504 Plan due to a learning disability like ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, concussions, or traumatic brain injury, please go to: 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 — taking 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. 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 adjusted on each test date to ensure that results from one ACT test compare fairly to those of another. It is scored on a 1–36 scale, with a 36 being a perfect score. The national average ACT score is around a 20. Each of the main sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — is scored from 1–36. The overall composite score is a simple average of the English, Math, and Reading sections. The ACT Science and Writing scores are reported on the score report but do 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. 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 targeting their areas of weakness. We have had students start 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 school tests, 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 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 and 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: 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 straightforward than the SAT but more difficult to finish. The SAT has more vocabulary usage questions, which the ACT does not; the ACT has optional science reasoning, which the SAT does not. With the recently revised Digital SAT, the tests are much more similar than they have been in the past. Students who prefer a paper test should take the 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 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 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.
How Can I Find Out More About ACT Tutoring with BWS?
Please check out our in-depth FAQs on our ACT tutoring process.
Ready to Get Started?
Our tutors book up quickly — often a month or more in advance. We encourage families to register as soon as possible to secure a spot with the right tutor for your student.
Register for ACT Tutoring NowHave questions first? Contact us and we’ll be happy to discuss your child’s situation.