ACT Prep in Redmond and Online
The ACT changed in 2025: a shorter, roughly two-hour core test of English, Math, and Reading, with Science now optional. We prepare students for every part of it one-on-one, with a dedicated Math and Science teacher and a dedicated English and Reading teacher, a full diagnostic, and a plan built around each student's goals.
What your student actually sits for.
The ACT was redesigned in 2025. It is shorter, with three core sections plus optional Science and essay sections. We prepare students for the format they will face, including the parts most programs skip.
The Composite score is the average of English, Math, and Reading on the 1 to 36 scale. The Science section and the optional Writing essay are scored separately, and the Math section now has four answer choices instead of five. Some competitive programs still want a Science score or the essay, so we prepare students for both: our Math and Science teacher covers Science, and our English and Reading teacher covers the essay.
A focused four-step plan, tailored to each student.
The same approach that drives our SAT results, built around the ACT. Strong scores come from understanding the material, building speed, and practicing under the right guidance, not generic worksheets.
- 01
Full ACT diagnostic
Every student starts with a full-length enhanced ACT diagnostic. It shows exactly where the points are: which sections, which question types, and whether the optional Science section is worth taking.
- 02
Customized study plan
We build a focused plan around the gaps the diagnostic reveals, adapted to how your student learns, so time goes to what actually moves the Composite rather than topics they already have.
- 03
Two dedicated teachers
Two 55-minute sessions a week. A dedicated Math and Science teacher handles ACT Math and the optional Science section; a dedicated English and Reading teacher handles English and Reading. No single generalist stretched across all four.
- 04
Full-length ACT practice tests
Students take timed, full-length practice ACTs that mirror the new format and faster pacing, so the real test feels familiar. Each result sharpens the plan and the next few weeks of work.
Math & Science
ACT Math problem solving, algebra, and data analysis, plus the optional Science section: reading graphs, experiments, and data passages quickly and accurately under time.
English & Reading
ACT English grammar, punctuation, and rhetoric, plus fast, accurate reading across four passages and the optional Writing essay. Built around the enhanced ACT's quicker pacing.
Two specialists cover all four ACT sections between them, so your student is never handed a single generalist stretched across Math, Science, English, and Reading at once.
A different approach to ACT prep.
Many test prep companies rely on large group classes and standardized lesson plans. Our goal is not only to raise the ACT Composite, but to help students become stronger, more confident learners along the way.
- A dedicated Math & Science teacher and a dedicated English & Reading teacher for every student, not one generalist
- Full preparation for the optional Science section, not an afterthought
- Instruction tailored to each student and to the new ACT pacing
- Concept-driven teaching rather than memorized tricks
- Honest SAT-versus-ACT guidance based on a real diagnostic
- Structured preparation aligned with upcoming ACT test dates
Two structured ACT preparation programs.
8-week program
Ideal for students preparing for an upcoming ACT who already have a strong academic foundation and want focused, efficient preparation.
- Two sessions per week
- One ACT Math & Science session and one English & Reading session
- Full-length ACT practice testing
- Structured curriculum and progress tracking
12-week program
Best for students who want a deeper review of foundational concepts and more time to build skills, speed, and confidence before the exam.
- Two sessions per week
- One ACT Math & Science session and one English & Reading session
- Full-length ACT practice testing
- Structured curriculum and progress tracking
Who our ACT program is best for.
- Want a personalized alternative to large test prep companies
- Need to build speed and accuracy for the ACT's faster pacing
- Want the optional Science section or essay prepared, not skipped
- Are aiming for meaningful Composite score improvement
- Learn best with individualized guidance and accountability
Located in Redmond, WA, Archimedes School serves students across the Eastside, including Bellevue, Kirkland, Woodinville, Sammamish, and families throughout the Lake Washington School District. Our ACT program is also available online for students nationwide. Preparing for the SAT instead? See our SAT program.
Common questions
- How is the new (enhanced) ACT different from the old one?
- Starting in 2025, the ACT became shorter and is now built around three core sections: English, Math, and Reading. The core test runs about two hours, roughly a third shorter than before, with fewer questions and slightly more time per question. The Composite score is the average of those three sections on the same 1 to 36 scale. The Science section is now optional and scored separately, and the Math section has four answer choices instead of five.
- Is the ACT Science section required, and do you prepare for it?
- Science is optional on the enhanced ACT and does not count toward the Composite. However, some competitive programs still recommend or want a Science score, so it can be worth taking. We prepare students for it: our dedicated Math and Science teacher covers the Science section alongside ACT Math, so students who choose to take it are fully ready.
- Should my student take the SAT or the ACT?
- Every college that accepts one accepts the other, so it comes down to which test fits your student's strengths. The fastest way to decide is a diagnostic of both. We start with a diagnostic, compare how the student performs on each format, and recommend the test where they have the most room to score well. We then build the prep plan around that choice.
- How long should my student prepare for the ACT?
- Most students do well with 8 to 12 weeks of structured preparation. Students with a strong academic foundation often choose the 8-week program, while those who want more time to build skills and confidence choose the 12-week option. We recommend starting at least two to three months before the test date.
- What is a good ACT score?
- A good ACT score is one at or above the middle 50 percent range of admitted students at your student's target colleges. For context, the national average Composite is roughly 19 to 20, a score above 24 is above average, and 30 or higher places a student in approximately the top 5 to 10 percent of test takers. Highly selective universities typically admit students in the 32 to 35 range. Rather than chasing one number, look up each target college's published middle 50 percent ACT range and aim for the 50th percentile or above.
- Do you offer ACT prep online?
- Yes. We teach the ACT online via Zoom or Microsoft Teams nationwide, with the same teachers, materials, and standard as in person. In-person ACT prep is available at our Redmond center on the Eastside.
Ready to start?
Tell us about your student's goals and timeline. We'll start with a diagnostic, help you decide between the SAT and ACT if you're unsure, and build a plan from there.