How to Teach the ACT: A Practical Guide for Tutors

With the announcement of the ACT going digital, students and parents have many questions. While the ACT is preserving the paper and pencil version of the test indefinitely, the digital option offers new avenues for test-takers. This transition presents a unique opportunity for tutors to refine their strategies and better prepare their students for success, especially considering that the Digital SAT is already a reality and many concepts are mirrored on both tests.
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As the ACT shifts towards digital options, tutors may face new challenges in preparing their students. They should address potential digital literacy gaps and ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have equal access to the digital tools and resources needed to succeed.

The digital format requires students to be comfortable navigating the interface, using digital tools, and managing their time on a screen. Moreover, tutors need to

This blog post provides a practical guide for tutors on how to train students for the digital ACT. It offers step-by-step instructions, tips for leveraging the digital format, advice on creating an effective tutoring schedule, and a breakdown of the specific skills students need to master for each section of the digital ACT.

How to Create a Strategic ACT Tutoring Teaching Schedule

An ACT tutoring schedule be tailored to the individual student's needs, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as the amount of time they have available before the test. 

Here’s a step-by-step process for tutors to effectively teach the ACT, keeping in mind its potential transition to a digital format:

1. Set a Goal: The first step in creating a strategic tutoring schedule is to work with the student to establish a target ACT score. This goal should be realistic and attainable, based on the student's current performance and their college aspirations. Discuss the score requirements of the colleges they are interested in and set a target that will make them competitive applicants. A clear target will provide motivation and direction throughout the tutoring process.

2. Learn the Test: Before you can effectively teach the ACT, you need to have a thorough understanding of the test itself. Familiarize yourself with the digital ACT format, including the types of questions, time limits, and scoring. Understand the functionalities and tools available in the digital interface. Explore sample questions and practice tests to get a feel for the digital environment. The more familiar you are with the digital ACT, the better you can prepare your students.

3. Assess the Student's Strengths and Weaknesses: Conduct a diagnostic assessment to identify the student's strengths and weaknesses in each section of the ACT (English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing). This assessment will help you tailor the tutoring schedule to focus on the areas where the student needs the most improvement. Use official ACT practice tests or reliable third-party assessments for this purpose.

4. Use the Best Resources: Select high-quality, updated study materials that reflect the digital ACT format. These may include official ACT practice tests, online resources, and interactive software. Ensure that the materials are aligned with the current ACT content and format.

5. Establish a Schedule: Determine when the student will take the test and create a study schedule accordingly. The schedule should be realistic and sustainable, taking into account the student's other commitments and responsibilities. Most students benefit from roughly 40 hours of studying. Schedule specific times for lessons each week. A consistent schedule will help the student stay on track and make steady progress.

6. Prioritize: Decide on an approach to the material. Consider tackling the student’s weakest sections first, as that's often where they have the most room for improvement. Some students may need to focus on raising a specific section score, while others may need to review the material. Prioritize the topics and skills that are most important for improving the student's overall score.

7. Discuss Strategies: Teach students systematic approaches to each section. Cover key strategies and diagnose any content weaknesses. Equip students with effective test-taking strategies, such as time management, process of elimination, and educated guessing. These strategies can help students maximize their score on the ACT.

8. Practice Regularly: Regular practice is essential for improving ACT performance. Have students complete practice questions and full-length practice tests on a regular basis. Simulate the digital testing environment as closely as possible to help students get comfortable with the format and timing.

9. Dissect Mistakes: Have students regularly practice with real ACT questions. Discuss the questions the student misses and help them understand why they got the question wrong and how they can avoid missing similar ones in the future. Analyzing mistakes is a critical part of the learning process.

10. Monitor Progress: Track the student's progress over time and adjust the tutoring schedule as needed. Use practice test scores and other assessments to monitor their improvement. Provide regular feedback and encouragement to help them stay motivated and focused.

How Tutors Can Leverage ACT Going Digital

The transition to a digital ACT presents several opportunities for tutors to enhance their services, attract more students, and demonstrate their expertise. Here are some tips tutors can use to attract more students by leveraging the digital ACT:

• Become a Digital ACT Expert: Position yourself as an expert in the digital ACT. Stay up-to-date on the latest changes, features, and functionalities of the digital format. Attend webinars, read articles, and explore online resources to deepen your knowledge.
• Highlight Accessibility Features: The digital format enhances accessibility, enabling students to utilize assistive technology for accommodations such as talk-to-text, read-aloud, zoom/larger view, and extended time. Emphasize how these features can benefit students with specific learning needs. Market your expertise in helping students leverage these accessibility features to improve their performance.
• Offer Digital Familiarization Sessions: Conduct workshops or one-on-one sessions to familiarize students with the digital ACT interface and tools. Provide hands-on training on how to use the digital tools effectively. These sessions will help students feel more comfortable and confident on test day.
• Incorporate Online Resources: Integrate online practice tests, interactive quizzes, and video tutorials into your tutoring sessions. Utilize digital tools and resources to create a more engaging and interactive learning experience. This will help students stay motivated and focused.
• Promote Convenience and Flexibility: The digital ACT offers more flexibility in terms of scheduling and location. Market these advantages to attract students with busy schedules. Highlight the convenience and flexibility of digital tutoring sessions.
• Showcase Tech Integration: Demonstrate how you use technology to track student progress, provide personalized feedback, and adapt your teaching methods. Use data analytics to identify areas where students are struggling and tailor your instruction accordingly. This will help you deliver more effective and efficient tutoring.
• Build a Strong Online Presence: Create a website or social media profile to showcase your digital ACT tutoring services. Share valuable content, such as tips and strategies for the digital ACT. Collect testimonials from satisfied students to build trust and credibility.
• Network with Schools and Counselors: Reach out to local schools and counselors to offer your digital ACT tutoring services. Build relationships with these key influencers to generate referrals. Offer free workshops or presentations to students and parents to showcase your expertise.

By embracing the digital ACT and leveraging the opportunities it presents, tutors can position themselves for success in the evolving test preparation landscape.

EdisonOS: The Leading Platform for Digital ACT Prep

EdisonOS is an all-in-one platform designed to simplify and enhance the digital ACT tutoring experience. Trusted by tutors and students alike, EdisonOS provides a comprehensive suite of tools and resources to maximize test preparation and achieve better outcomes. Mimicking many of the successful approaches of the Digital SAT, EdisonOS' framework allows tutors to seamlessly deliver robust ACT instruction.

Key Benefits for Tutors Using EdisonOS:

• Replicate the Official Testing App: EdisonOS's Digital SAT (and soon, ACT) Software is meticulously designed to replicate the official testing app. This ensures familiarity for learners, reducing anxiety, boosting their confidence, and helping them achieve better outcomes on the real test.
• Customizable Question Banks: Easily create and organize countless question banks using structured folders and identification tags. This allows for targeted practice and focused review.
• Efficient Question Upload: Designed for efficiency and simplicity, EdisonOS allows you to upload large numbers of questions quickly and easily to your question bank.
• Advanced Assessment Generation: EdisonOS’s advanced assessment features generate tests based on adaptive logic or randomization without repeating pre-loaded questions. This ensures a dynamic and challenging practice experience.
• Simplified Progress Tracking: Simplify the process of tracking your student's progress with EdisonOS’s all-in-one solution that provides a centralized hub for all relevant data.
• Robust Analytics Tools: Access detailed and actionable information about areas of improvement and identify key areas of strength with EdisonOS’s robust analysis tools.
• Pre-Built Mock Tests: Eliminate the burden of creating practice tests by using EdisonOS’s pre-built, full-length mock tests.
• Vast Question Library: Access a vast question library with 4000+ questions, 22 expert-designed MockTests, tagged by knowledge, skills, and difficulty as in the official tests. Benefit from detailed explanations for every question, including distractors, and original, ethically sourced & properly licensed content.

Personalized Digital SAT Practice Tests: Tutors can upload their own content and questions to build customized practice tests that align with their students' learning strategies, offering a tailored approach to SAT and PSAT preparation.

EdisonOS: Empowering Tutors for Digital ACT Success
EdisonOS is more than just a platform; it's a partner in your students' success. By providing the tools and resources you need to effectively prepare students for the digital ACT, EdisonOS helps you deliver exceptional tutoring services and achieve outstanding results.
Here’s the link to EdisonOS if you want to learn more about how it can revolutionize your tutoring business and help your students conquer the digital ACT! Consider taking advantage of the free trial to fully explore what the software has to offer.

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