ACT Prep Courses | Expert Tutors. Proven Strategies. Real Results.
Live virtual small group instruction for high school students nationwide — combining live certified instruction, proven critical thinking strategies, and a 24/7 CTC AI Study Coach.
Fully updated for the Enhanced ACT — shorter test, more time per question, optional Science section.
Complete 4-Week Course
$499
Small groups led by CTC certified tutors –
Improve your score with proven strategies and your CTC AI Study Coach
Live Online Instruction
90-Minute Sessions
1,200+ Realistic
Practice Questions
1:1 Consultation Included
(valued at $250)
What Is the Enhanced ACT?
The ACT is the standardized college admissions exam accepted by virtually every college and university in the United States. A strong ACT score can open doors to better schools, more scholarships, and stronger financial aid packages.
Starting in September 2025, all national Saturday ACT testing moved to the new Enhanced ACT format — shorter test, fewer questions, more time per question, and an optional Science section. The same knowledge is tested. The stakes are just as high.
The Critical Thinking Child offers live virtual ACT prep for high school students nationwide. Our small group courses combine expert certified instruction with the 24/7 CTC AI Study Coach so your student is prepared from every angle.
Enhanced ACT Format
English 50 questions – 35 min
Math 45 questions – 50 min
Reading 36 questions – 40 min
Science (optional) 40 questions – 40 min
Writing (optional) 1 essay — 40 min
Core test: 125 minutes | Score: 1-36 composite
44 fewer questions than old format
Two Things Working Together – That No One Else Offers
Most test prep companies give you one or the other. A classroom course with a live teacher. Or an app with AI practice. CTC gives you both – working together.
LIVE INSTRUCTION
Your CTC Tutor
Leads every live session. They know the Enhanced ACT inside out, they know your student’s weak spots from the diagnostic, and they adjust instruction in real time. This is where strategy is built – and where we develop the critical thinking skills that help students on test day and in every classroom after.
BETWEEN EVERY SESSION
Your AI Coach
Works 24/7 between every session. Adapts to exactly where your student struggled, generates personalized practice questions, and explains concepts instantly. Think of it as your child’s personal AI study buddy – always available, always on their side. No waiting until next session for an answer.
The result: CTC students improve 3-5x faster than traditional test prep. The certified tutor builds critical thinking and test strategy. The CTC AI Study Coach executes it every single day until test day.
Why CTC Students Improve Faster
Traditional test prep asks students to wait until the next class for help. CTC students never wait. Here is the difference.
What’s Included in Every Course
✓ 1,200+ Realistic Practice Questions — Aligned to the Enhanced ACT format. Released progressively so students build skills systematically throughout the course.
✓ Full-Length Timed Practice Tests — Taken between sessions. Mirrors the real Enhanced ACT format, timing, and difficulty so there are no surprises on test day.
✓ Detailed Explanations — Every practice question explained in full. Not just the answer — the reasoning and strategy behind it.
✓ Parent Progress Reports — Real-time scores, section breakdowns, and improvement trends. Check anytime from any device.
✓ 1:1 Consultation (valued at $250) — A private session with a CTC expert to review diagnostic results, set score goals, and build a test-day strategy. Included at no extra cost.
✓ Critical Thinking Skills — Our method does not just teach test strategies. We develop the underlying critical thinking skills that improve performance across all four sections of the Enhanced ACT and beyond.
✓ Small Group Setting – Our small group size means every student gets heard, questions get answered, and no one falls behind.
✓ 3-Month Platform Access — Access to the CTC learning platform through test day. Can be extended beyond 3 months.
CTC AI Study Coach — Available 24/7
Every enrolled student gets access to their CTC AI Study Coach between every session – available nights, weekends, and whenever your child is ready to practice. It adapts to their specific weak areas, generates personalized practice questions, and explains concepts at their pace. Think of it as your child’s personal AI study buddy — always on their side, always available, never too busy to help.
The CTC AI Study Coach keeps the critical thinking skills sharp every single day between sessions.
Built with student safety in mind. Our AI is restricted to academic content only. Students can only interact within our verified question bank — so you never have to worry about off-topic or inappropriate conversations.
Developed by Lemi-Ola Erinkitola, Co-Chair of NIST/NICE K-12 Cybersecurity Community of Interest and founder of The Critical Thinking Child – and supported by the Kapor Foundation AI Literacy Grant, awarded to develop responsible AI guidelines for K-12 students.
START HERE
Begin with a Proctored Mock Exam
We ask every family to start here. Know exactly where your student stands before enrolling in a course. Families who start with the mock exam are more prepared — and get better results.
START HERE
ACT Proctored Mock Exam + Score Review
Full-length proctored exam with a live certified CTC tutor. Complete score report and results review included.
- Full-length ACT mock exam, live and proctored by a certified CTC tutor
- 2 hours with a live certified CTC tutor – timed under real Enhanced ACT conditions (125 minutes core test). Science section is optional – your student may choose to take it. Our coaches are on for the full 2 hours.
- Complete score report with section breakdown – English, Math, Reading, and Science (optional)
- Results review with your proctor – know exactly what to work on and which course block fits your timeline
CTC expert to review diagnostic results, set score goals, and build a test-day strategy. Included at no extra cost with Mock exam
Choose Your Session
Saturdays or Sundays – choose your dates at checkout. 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM CT | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM ET. Each course is 4 weeks timed to end approximately one week before your ACT test date.
Prep for June 13, 2026
Live Online Instructor
Saturdays or Sundays
May 9 – May 31, 2026
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM CT
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM ET
Course Schedule
Week 1: May 9 & 10
Practice Test 2 (before May 16)
Week 2: May 16 & 17
Week 3: May 23 & 24
Practice Test 3 (before May 30)
Week 4: May 30 & 31
ACT Test Day: June 13, 2026 | Reg deadline: May 8, 2026
Prep for July 11, 2026
Live Online Instructor
Saturdays or Sundays
Jun 6 – Jun 28, 2026
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM CT
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM ET
Course Schedule
Week 1: Jun 6 & 7
Practice Test 2 (before Jun 13)
Week 2: Jun 13 & 14
Week 3: Jun 20 & 21
Practice Test 3 (before Jun 27)
Week 4: Jun 27 & 28
ACT Test Day: July 11, 2026 | Reg deadline: June 5, 2026
Prep for Oct 17, 2026
Live Online Instructor
Saturdays or Sundays
Sep 12 – Oct 4, 2026
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM CT
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM ET
Course Schedule
Week 1: Sep 12 & 13
Practice Test 2 (before Sep 19)
Week 2: Sep 19 & 20
Week 3: Sep 26 & 27
Practice Test 3 (before Oct 3)
Week 4: Oct 3 & 4
ACT Test Day: Oct 17, 2026 | Reg deadline: Sept 11, 2026
Prep for Dec 12, 2026
Live Online Instructor
Saturdays or Sundays
Nov 7 – Nov 29, 2026
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM CT
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM ET
Course Schedule
Week 1: Nov 7 & 8
Practice Test 2 (before Nov 14)
Week 2: Nov 14 & 15
Week 3: Nov 21 & 22
Practice Test 3 (before Nov 28)
Week 4: Nov 28 & 29
ACT Test Day: Dec 12, 2026 | Reg deadline: Nov 6, 2026
Prep for Feb 27, 2027
Live Online Instructor
Saturdays or Sundays
Jan 23 – Feb 14, 2027
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM CT
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM ET
Course Schedule
Week 1: Jan 23 & 24
Practice Test 2 (before Jan 30)
Week 2: Jan 30 & 31
Week 3: Feb 6 & 7
Practice Test 3 (before Feb 13)
Week 4: Feb 13 & 14
ACT Test Day: Feb 27, 2027 | Reg deadline: Jan 22, 2027
Prep for Apr 10, 2027
Live Online Instructor
Saturdays or Sundays
Mar 6 – Mar 28, 2027
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM CT
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM ET
Course Schedule
Week 1: Mar 6 & 7
Practice Test 2 (before Mar 13)
Week 2: Mar 13 & 14
Week 3: Mar 20 & 21
Practice Test 3 (before Mar 27)
Week 4: Mar 27 & 28
ACT Test Day: Apr 10, 2027 | Reg deadline: March 5, 2027
Why Families Trust CTC
15+ Years of Building Critical Thinkers
Since 2010, we have prepared students not just to pass tests, but to think. That critical thinking foundation is why our results last beyond test day.
Certified Expert Tutors
Every session is led by a certified CTC tutor. Small groups mean your student is never invisible and every question gets answered.
CTC AI Study Coach
Your student keeps learning between sessions with their personal AI Study Coach – adapts to their weak areas, available 24/7, restricted to academic content only. Think of it as their AI study buddy that never sleeps.
Updated for the Enhanced ACT
Our curriculum and strategies are fully updated for the new shorter format, adjusted timing, and optional Science section.
Stanford NSSA Badge
Recognized by Stanford University’s National Student Support Accelerator for evidence-based tutoring program design excellence.
1:1 Consultation Included
Every student gets a private consultation to review results and build a personalized path to their goal score. Valued at $250. Included free.
Upcoming ACT Test Dates
2026-2027
What Families Say
“My child’s composite score went from 22 to 28 in 4 sessions. That means more scholarship opportunities. We are going for another round of sessions to target a 30. Working with CTC has been stress-free and fits my child’s pace and learning style. We now tell our parent friends and family about this program. Thank you.”
– CTC Parent
“I cannot say enough wonderful things about The Critical Thinking Child. The AI Study Coach and CTC staff have had an incredible impact on my daughter’s academic development – she has become more confident, curious, and independent. My daughter enrolled in the ACT program in June 2025 and on her first attempt scored a 28. The love, patience, and dedication they showed my daughter gave me complete peace of mind.”
– CTC Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Enhanced ACT?
The Enhanced ACT is the updated format that rolled out in September 2025. Shorter test, fewer questions, more time per question, optional Science section. Composite score based on English, Math, and Reading only.
How can my student improve so much in just 4 sessions?
The CTC AI Study Coach works 24/7 between sessions, generating personalized practice and reinforcing critical thinking skills. The certified tutor sets strategy during class. That combination is why CTC students improve 3-5x faster than traditional programs.
What is the CTC AI Study Coach?
Your student’s personal AI learning companion, available 24/7. Think of it as their AI study buddy. Adapts to their weak areas. Restricted to academic content only – verified question bank only. Developed by Lemi-Ola Erinkitola, Co-Chair of NIST/NICE K-12 Cybersecurity COI, supported by Kapor Foundation AI Literacy Grant.
Should my student take the ACT or SAT?
Both accepted everywhere. Start with a proctored mock exam. The 1:1 consultation will help analyze results and choose the better test.
Should my student take the optional Science section?
Depends on target colleges. Georgetown, Boston University, military academies ask for it. The 1:1 consultation will cover this based on target schools.
What is the 1:1 Consultation?
Private session with a CTC expert. Reviews diagnostic results, sets score goals, discusses section priorities, and builds test-day strategy. Valued at $250. Included free.
What device does my student need?
Laptop or desktop with internet and Zoom. Recommend a laptop to simulate test day conditions.
Ready to Raise Your Score?
Start with a $99 mock exam and know exactly where your student stands before enrolling in a course.
Already taken the mock exam? Choose your course date
Recognized and Trusted
Awarded by Stanford University’s
National Student Support Accelerator
ESA approved provider for
WV Hope Scholarship Program
ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. The Critical Thinking Child is not affiliated with ACT, Inc. and was not involved in the production of the ACT exam. PSAT, SAT, AP, and Advanced Placement Program are registered trademarks of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of and does not endorse these products. Practice test scores are intended to approximate performance on the actual exam. Individual results may vary.