Best ACT Prep Courses: Reviewing the Top Options

When I reviewed the best ACT prep courses, I focused on one thing that actually raises scores: taking practice tests and testing strategies. A landmark study published in Science found that students who used practice tests retained about 50% more information after one week than those who simply restudied.

Timing trips up more students than content , see how long the ACT takes before you plan your prep.

Practice-test scores are easier to judge side by side once you convert them , here is how ACT scores translate to the SAT.

ACT Prep Courses I Tested

1. UWorld ACT Prep: Best for Realistic ACT Practice

UWorld ACT Rating

Why UWorld’s ACT Math and Science Did Not Feel Fake

UWorld stood out immediately when I started testing it, thanks to an early-access period for the course I received earlier this year. The biggest difference I noticed was how realistic the practice felt. The ACT questions didn’t feel simplified or “test-prep-ish”; they felt like something I’d expect to see on the actual exam, especially in ACT math and the science section.

I also really liked the visual, step-by-step explanations. When I missed a question, I didn’t just see the correct answer. I could clearly see why each wrong answer failed. That’s huge for improving accuracy on a multiple-choice test like the ACT.

2. PrepScholar ACT Prep: Best for a Structured Weekly Plan

PrepScholar ACT Rating

The ACT Diagnostic That Kept Sending Me Back to Weak Topics

PrepScholar felt more structured than UWorld. When I tested it, the platform quickly pushed me into a customized weekly study plan after a diagnostic test. I liked how it kept redirecting me back to weaker areas instead of letting me avoid them.

The inclusion of official ACT practice tests is a big plus, and the optional Admissions Bootcamp adds value for families focused on the broader college application process.

3. Achievable ACT Prep: Best for a Self-Paced Reading Path

Achievable ACT Rating

An Online ACT Textbook Instead of Hour-Long Videos

Achievable felt refreshingly simple in a way that was clearly intentional. As soon as I started using it, I liked the online textbook format and how efficiently I could move through material without sitting through long video lessons.

The platform is designed to help you learn quickly, and I found the explanations concise yet thorough enough to clarify mistakes and reinforce key concepts. It worked especially well for focused study sessions, where I wanted to read, practice, and move on without distractions or unnecessary features getting in the way.

This course felt best suited for disciplined students who prefer reading and efficiency over bells and whistles.

4. Prep Expert ACT Prep: Best for Live Strategy Classes

Prep Expert ACT Rating

Watching an ACT Instructor Work the Question with You

Prep Expert felt intense in a good way from the start. The emphasis on live instruction, accountability, and mindset stood out immediately, and the structure made it clear that the course is designed to keep students engaged and on track. That structure aligns closely with feedback I’ve seen from parents, including one mom who shared that her daughter took the ACT twice, once with Prep Expert and once without brushing up using test prep, and saw a noticeable drop in performance the second time.

I also liked that the video lessons show the instructor actively working through questions with you, explaining not just the correct answers but the reasoning and strategies behind them. That guided, step-by-step approach made the material feel more interactive and helped reinforce how to think through questions under timed conditions.

5. Kaplan ACT Prep: Best for Traditional Full-Coverage Prep

Kaplan ACT Rating

Official ACT Problems on a Familiar, Older Dashboard

Kaplan felt familiar and reliable from the moment I started using it. I liked having access to official ACT practice problems, which added credibility and realism to my prep sessions. The option to mix on-demand lessons with live instruction or tutoring also stood out, since it allows students to adjust their level of support as they go.

It’s not the most modern platform I tested, but it’s dependable and thorough.

6. Magoosh ACT Prep: Best for Budget Video Prep

Magoosh ACT Rating

The Clean ACT Dashboard That Named the Next Lesson

Magoosh was easy to use and flexible from the moment I logged in. One of the first things I noticed was how clear and readable the dashboard was. Everything was laid out so it was easy to understand what to study next without feeling overwhelmed. I liked the video explanations, curated study schedules, and progress tracking, and the overall design felt especially approachable for students who are new to standardized tests.

The question bank is smaller than some top-tier options, but the value is solid, particularly for students who want a straightforward, user-friendly ACT prep experience.

7. The Princeton Review ACT Prep: Best for Scheduled Live Classes

The Princeton Review ACT Rating

Live ACT Classes That Felt Less Focused Than Newer Apps

The Princeton Review offers comprehensive materials and live instruction, but I found the experience less focused than some newer platforms. That made the program better suited for targeted concept reinforcement rather than fast, step-by-step practice designed to mirror exam conditions.

The Princeton Review is a recognizable option, but not my top choice for modern ACT test prep.

ACT Prep Honorable Mentions

• Peterson’s: Affordable ACT practice-test prep. Useful for timed reps, but thinner than the main ranked courses, so it sits with the honorable mentions.
• Acely: Adaptive AI drill generator for ACT practice. Useful as extra reps, but the explanations were too thin for me to rank it in the main eight.
• C2 Education: Tutor-led ACT prep with a diagnostic-first plan. Strong if you want a person in the room, but quality depends on location and tutor, so it sits in honorable mentions.
• IXL Learning: Helps reinforce ACT math and core skills. It is not a full ACT prep course, so I kept it as a supplement rather than a ranked option.
• Study.com: Useful for general subject review, but its ACT-specific practice is less realistic than the top prep courses. It works best as a supplement rather than a primary ACT prep option.

Choosing the Right ACT Prep for Your Goals

Match the ACT course to how you study, not the loudest brand. Here is the short version of what I saw.

Learning Preference

Some students want live ACT classes and a teacher watching the clock. Others want a self-paced QBank they can reopen on a weeknight.

Best for structured learners: PrepScholar, Prep Expert, Kaplan, The Princeton Review

Best for independent learners: UWorld, Achievable, Magoosh, Peterson’s

Best in-person option: C2 Education (honorable mention)

Course Format

ACT prep is not one product. Some platforms are question banks. Some are live classes. Some are video libraries.

Practice-heavy format: UWorld, Peterson’s

Video-focused learning: Magoosh, Achievable

Live or classroom format: Prep Expert, Kaplan, The Princeton Review

Practice Tests and Pacing

The ACT punishes slow sections. I scored whether I could run a timed test the same week I signed up, and whether the miss review changed how I paced the next set.

Most realistic practice: UWorld

Clearest weekly plan: PrepScholar

Strongest live strategy: Prep Expert

Final Verdict

UWorld is the one I would reopen first for realistic practice. PrepScholar is the plan if you want the week laid out. Achievable is the reading-first path. Magoosh is the budget video option. The Princeton Review is the live name-brand class option. Match the job to the course. A loud ad is not a reason to stay. If you are still weighing this exam against the other one, our best online SAT prep courses roundup covers many of the same providers.

FAQs

What’s the Best Way to Prep for the ACT?

The most effective ACT prep combines timed practice tests, a detailed review of mistakes, and focused work on pacing and test-taking strategies.

Are ACT Prep Courses Worth It?

ACT prep courses are worth it for students who want structure, realistic practice, and guidance on how to improve scores efficiently.

Is a 27 ACT Score Good?

Yes, a 27 is a strong ACT score that places a student well above the national average and competitive at many colleges.

What ACT Score Is Top 1%?

An ACT score of 34 or higher is typically considered in the top 1% of test takers.

How Much Can ACT Prep Raise Your Score?

With consistent practice, many students see a 2 to 6-point increase in their ACT score with effective prep.