When Should I Take the ACT? 4 Recommendations for Different Types of Students

"When should I take the ACT?" This is one of the most common questions we get from parents and students about ACT Prep. In this post, we will address when you should plan to take the ACT and how far in advance you should prepare. There is no right answer for every student, but we will give you the information that you need to make the right decision on your own.

Our most important piece of advice about ACT Prep is get started early! Whether you are going to take the ACTs in the fall of junior year, wait until the end of your junior year, or take the test as a senior, getting started on your ACT Prep early always helps. Junior year is hectic for students, so finding time for ACT Prep can be difficult for students who are already balancing a rigorous academic schedule, sports commitments, and extracurricular activities.

The latest that you should begin planning when to take your ACTs is winter break of junior year. Keep in mind that most students will take the ACT 2 or 3 times, so this whole process will take a minimum of 3 to 5 months.

Option #1 - Fall of Junior Year

Test Dates - September ACT, October ACT, December ACT

When to Begin Preparing - Summer before junior year

One of the best times to prepare for the ACT is the summer between sophomore and junior year. Over the summer, students have much more free time to spend studying content for the ACT and completing practice tests. Completing the bulk of ACT Prep over the summer builds students' confidence and makes the ACT Prep process far less stressful.

But are students really ready for the ACT by the beginning of junior year?

The truth is that it depends most on math. The ACT tests a very broad range of math topics, many of which are not covered until pre-calculus or integrated math III. You should not take the ACT until you have taken geometry, algebra, and at least some of pre-calculus. For students in schools that use the integrated math curriculum, you not take the ACT until you have completed Integrated Math I, II, and at least some of III.

The ACT features many pre-calculus topics (advanced trigonometry, circles, ellipses, etc.). Students who have not seen these topics in the classroom will need to learn these topics through self-study, group classes, or private tutoring. In general, stronger math students will be much more prepared to take the ACT in the Fall of their junior year. We advise weaker math students to wait until later on in their junior year when they have learned more of the math topics featured on the ACT.

Who It's Great For: Students who are strong academic achievers and will have a very heavy course load in junior year (think lots of APs). Students who are in advanced mathematics and are taking calculus as a junior. Students who will have an extremely busy schedule when the school year begins.

Who It's Bad For: Weaker math students who are taking pre-calculus or integrated math III during junior year.

Our Recommended Timeline:

May/June: Take 1st practice ACT to get baseline scores

July - September: Begin to prepare for the ACT. Complete 2-3 more practice ACTs as you prepare. Sign-up for the September ACT.

Early September: Take your first ACT. Based on how it felt and your schedule, decide if you want to take the ACT again in October or wait until December. We often recommend that students sign up for the October test in case they want to take it, as it leaves option open.

Late September (if you decide to take the ACT again in October): Complete another 2-3 practice ACTs. Once you have your September ACT scores, focus on the areas where you need to improve via self-study or in few sessions with a tutor.

October (if you decide to take the ACT in October): Take your second ACT. Wait for your scores and then decide if you are done with the ACT or if you will take it a 3rd time.

October - November (if you did not take the October ACT): Review your September ACT Scores. Identify the areas where you need to improve and focus on them via self-study or private tutoring sessions. Complete 3-5 practice ACTs to become more of an expert on the test.

December - Take the ACT for your 2nd or 3rd time. At this point, the goal is to have some great scores and be done with the ACT! Some students (usually those who have only taken the test twice) will take the ACT in February as well.

Option #2 - Winter and Spring of Junior Year

Test Dates - February ACT, April ACT, June ACT, July ACT

When to Begin Preparing - November or December of junior year

Many students will begin their ACT Prep in the winter of their junior year. Junior year is a very busy time for almost every student, so getting started with ACT Prep in November of December gives students enough time to get ready for the February or April ACTs.

Starting in the winter gives students flexibility to focus on school when necessary (say during finals or for big projects) and focus on ACT Prep when they have time in their schedules. Giving 3-4 months of lead-in prep time will make the process much less stressful. It will also give students another semester of math, which can help students become more familiar with the advanced topics tested on the ACT. In addition, students should also take advantage of their free time over winter break to work on ACT Prep and practice ACTs.

Who It's Great For: We recommend this for most students. It is great for students who had an extremely busy Fall (often due to sports commitments) or students who were not quite ready to begin ACT Prep over the summer. Usually the end of junior year is the busiest time for students (finals, AP Exams, final projects, etc.), so getting started in the winter can help avoid squeezing in ACT Prep in April, May, and June.

Who It's Bad For: Weak math students who are still completing Geometry or Algebra II in their junior year. These students should wait until the end of their course to take the ACT, as these topics are heavily featured on the test.

Our Recommended Timeline:

Timeline #1 - Taking your first ACT in February:

November/December: Take first practice ACT

November - January: Begin to prepare for the ACT. Complete 4-5 more practice ACTs as you prepare. Sign-up for the February ACT.

Early February: Take your first ACT.

Late February: Review your ACT Scores. Decide if you are going to take the ACT again in April. We advise that most students take the ACT at least twice. If you are going to take the test, register for the April ACT.

February - March: Once you have your February ACT scores, identity the areas where you need to improve and focus on them via self-study or in few sessions with a tutor. Complete 4-5 practice ACTs to become more of an expert on the test.

April: Take your second ACT. Wait for your scores and then decide if you are done with the ACT (hopefully) or if you will take it a 3rd time in June or July.

May - June/July: If you are going to take the June ACT, review your scores from April to identify where you want to improve. Focus on the content and strategies you need to improve. Complete 2-4 more practice ACTs leading up to the June ACT.

June/July - Take the ACT for your 3rd time. At this point, the goal is to have some great scores, be done with the ACT, and enjoy the summer!

Timeline #2 - Taking your first ACT in April:

November/December/January: Take first practice ACT

November/December/January - April: Begin to prepare for the ACT. Complete 4-5 more practice ACTs as you prepare. Sign-up for the April ACT.

Mid-April: Take your first ACT.

Late April/Early May: Review your ACT Scores. Decide if you are going to take the ACT again in June or July. We advise that most students take the ACT at least twice. If you are going to take the test, register for the June or July ACT.

May - June/July: Once you have your April ACT scores, identity the areas where you need to improve and focus on them via self-study or in few sessions with a tutor. Complete 4-5 practice ACTs to become more of an expert on the test.

(if taking in June): Take your second ACT. Wait for your scores and then decide if you are done with the ACT (hopefully) or if you will take it a 3rd time in July.

(if taking in June) June/July: If you are going to take the July ACT, review your scores from June to identify where you want to improve. Focus on the content and strategies you need to improve. Complete 2-4 more practice ACTs leading up to the July ACT.

July - Take the ACT for your 2nd or 3rd time. Wait for your scores and then decide if you are done with the ACT (hopefully) or if you will take it a 3rd (or 4th) time in September. At this point, the goal is to have some great scores, be done with the ACT, and enjoy the summer!

Option #3 - Spring of Junior Year and Fall of Senior Year

Test Dates - June ACT, July ACT, September ACT, October ACT

When to Begin Preparing - February, March, or April of junior year

The majority of students and families will wait until the spring of junior year to begin even thinking about the ACT. This is most often due to lack of information about how much effort it takes students to get ready for the ACT or lack of awareness about how long the entire ACT process takes (it usually takes a minimum of 3-5 months). Starting in the spring of junior year can work (and often is the only option), but it is difficult for students with busy schedules to find the time to get fully prepare for the ACT.

No matter how students prepare, it takes time to study for and get ready for the ACT. Most students will need to devote 30-50 hours to get fully prepared for the ACT. Finding this much time in the spring of junior year is always difficult. We have had many students who did not perform to their full potential on the ACT because they are simply too busy with school.

If you are reading this and you are a junior and it is already spring, do not panic...you will be just fine! Just make sure that you start your ACT Prep as soon as possible and plan to set aside 3-5 hours each week to complete ACT work. If you can manage that in your schedule, your goal should be to get some great ACT scores on the June or July ACTs, so you can be done with the ACT and focus on college application work over the summer.

If your schedule is too busy with AP courses, sports, and other commitments to add in ACT Prep, focus on your school work and make the ACT Prep a priority once you have the time in May (after AP exams) or over the summer.

Who It's Great For: Students who are competing Geometry or Algebra II in their junior year. Students who have not already started ACT Prep by the spring.

Who It's Bad For: Students who are too busy and do not have time in their schedules for ACT Prep. These students are usually better served just waiting until their schedules calm down in May or June after AP Exams and/or other school commitments end.

Our Recommended Timeline:

February/March: Take first practice ACT

February/March - June: Begin to prepare for the ACT. Complete 4-5 more practice ACTs as you prepare. Sign-up for the June ACT.

Early June: Take your first ACT.

Late June: Review your ACT Scores. Decide if you are going to take the ACT again in July. We advise that most students take the ACT at least twice. If you are going to take the test, register for the July ACT.

June - July: Once you have your June ACT scores, identity the areas where you need to improve and focus on them via self-study or in few sessions with a tutor. Complete 4-5 practice ACTs to become more of an expert on the test.

July: Take your second ACT. Wait for your scores and then decide if you are done with the ACT (hopefully) or if you will take it a 3rd time in September.

July - September: If you are going to take the September ACT, review your scores from July to identify where you want to improve. Focus on the content and strategies you need to improve. Complete 2-4 more practice ACTs leading up to the September ACT.

September - Take the ACT for your 3rd time. At this point, the goal is to have some great scores, be done with the ACT. This is the last time that you should plan on taking the ACT. You can take the ACT in October as well if necessary, but that is the last change for seniors to take it before college applications go in.

Option #4 - Summer and Fall of Senior Year

Test Dates - July ACT, September ACT, October ACT

When to Begin Preparing - May or June of Junior year

So you heard about the ACT late or did not know you needed to prep? Do not panic! It is just time to dig in and make ACT Prep a summer priority. The good news is now that you have finished up your junior year of math, you are better prepared for the math test. You also likely have a lot more time to dedicate to ACT Prep over the summer. The bad news is that the clock is ticking, and you are running out of time to take the ACT.

If you are starting your ACT Prep journey at the end of junior year, get to work on ACT Prep as soon as you can. Do not load up your summer with too many other commitments because you should be spending 10-20 hours or more each week on ACT Prep. The ultimate goal is to crush the ACT in July and be 1-and-done so you can focus on your college applications. If you need to take the ACT a 2nd or 3rd time, the September and October test dates are both early enough for college applications.

Who It's Great For: Students who are very weak in math and are competing Geometry or Algebra II in their junior year. Students who have not already started ACT Prep or were too busy to start ACT Prep.

Who It's Bad For: Students who were ready to take the ACT earlier in junior year. If you have not started your ACT Prep by now, it is time to get going ASAP!

Our Recommended Timeline:

May/June: Take first practice ACT.

May/June - July: Prepare for the ACT. Complete 5-8 more practice ACTs as you prepare. Sign-up for the July ACT.

Mid-July: Take your first ACT.

Late July: Review your ACT Scores. Decide if you are going to take the ACT again in September. If you are going to take the test, register for the September ACT.

August-September: Once you have your July ACT scores, identity the areas where you need to improve and focus on them via self-study or in few sessions with a tutor. Complete 4-5 practice ACTs to become more of an expert on the test.

September: Take your second ACT. Wait for your scores and then decide if you are done with the ACT (hopefully) or if you will take it a 3rd time in October.

September - October: If you are going to take the October ACT, review your scores from September to identify where you want to improve. Focus on the content and strategies you need to improve. Complete 2-4 more practice ACTs leading up to the October ACT.

October - Take the ACT for your 3rd time. This is the last time that you should plan on taking the ACT.

Final Thoughts

The decision of when to start ACT prep depends on each student's academic schedule and personal goals on the ACT. The most important thing is to come up with a plan that works for you and to stick to it. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready for the ACT. The more time that you put into studying and preparing for the ACT, the better results you will achieve.

What's Next?

Having read this article, you now know how long the ACT Prep process takes and when you should starting preparing for test day. Now, you need to put a plan together to get ready for the ACT.

To begin, take a practice ACT to confirm that the ACT is a good fit for you.