ACT Prep in 2026: What Parents Need to Know

The ACT has changed in recent years, so families should begin with current official information rather than an older prep book’s table of contents.

ACT’s current materials describe English, Math, Reading, and Science, with Science and Writing optional and not included in the Composite score. Format and availability can differ by location and test administration. Verify the current structure, dates, and options on the official ACT site.

Decide which sections matter

The core preparation plan should reflect:

• the student’s target colleges;
• current testing options;
• whether Science or Writing is useful or required for a particular goal;
• the student’s strengths;
• available test dates and score timelines.

Do not add an optional section automatically because “more testing must look better.” Verify whether it serves a purpose.

Take a current-format diagnostic

Use practice material aligned with the current ACT. Record:

• accuracy by domain;
• time used;
• questions left unanswered;
• recurring mistakes;
• changes in performance across the section.

The ACT rewards both knowledge and efficient decisions. A student may need concept review, pacing practice, or both.

Review errors by cause

For English, examine grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, organization, and rhetorical choices. For Math, separate concept gaps from setup and calculation. For Reading, identify whether the issue is locating evidence, understanding structure, or timing. For Science when taken, practice interpreting data, experiments, and competing explanations rather than relying on memorized facts alone.

Practice with a clock—but not immediately

Untimed work reveals understanding. Timed work reveals whether the process is usable under test conditions. Build accuracy first, then shorten decision time.

Parent responsibilities

Parents can:

• confirm registration and current policies;
• provide a realistic study schedule;
• protect sleep and test-day logistics;
• help review patterns;
• avoid turning every practice score into a forecast of the student’s future.

The student should own the questions, error log, and decisions about what to improve next.

Next step: Use ReadyScore for repeated ACT practice and Sophia for individual questions that need a parent-friendly explanation.