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What prep companies estimate
Three published estimates, side by side. They come from different methods, so read them as a range rather than a promise.
| Target gain | Piqosity (about 7 hours per point) | PrepScholar | Ivy Strides |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 point | about 7 hours | 10 hours (0 to 1 point) | n/a |
| 2 points | about 14 hours | 20 hours (1 to 2 points) | 10 to 20 hours |
| 4 points | about 28 hours | 40 hours (2 to 4 points) | 25 to 45 hours |
| 6 points | about 42 hours | 80 hours (4 to 6 points) | 50 to 80 hours (6+ points) |
| 9 points | n/a | 150+ hours (6 to 9 points) | n/a |
- Piqosity says an average student can expect about a 1-point gain in around 7 hours of quality study, based on its own aggregate student data (Piqosity). The per-point column above just multiplies that figure.
- PrepScholar calls its table "a rough estimate" that depends on prior study, learning speed and focus (PrepScholar).
- Ivy Strides publishes ranges by gain in its tutoring cost guide (Ivy Strides).
Hours planner
Disclaimer: These hours come from prep companies' published estimates, not from ACT. Progress varies a lot from student to student, and no plan guarantees a score gain.
Higher scores take more hours per point
Every source agrees gains get harder near the top. Piqosity notes that for students already at 28 or above, one more point might take 10 or 12 hours instead of 7 (Piqosity). You can see why in the raw-score tables: at the top, one missed question can cost a full scale point. Our score pages show exactly how many questions each score allows, for example the 26 to 32 page and the 34 page.
Build the plan from your calendar
- Find your starting point. Take a timed practice test and score it from your raw answers.
- Pick a target. Compare with the ranges at your colleges on what counts as a good ACT score or the submit guide's score checker.
- Count the weeks to your test date, and multiply by the hours you can keep up each week. The planner above does the math against each estimate.
- Price it if you want help. The tutoring cost estimator turns hours into dollars at published rates.
ACT says it takes students 2 to 3 attempts on average to reach their goals (ACT), so planning for a second test date is realistic, and your best sections can combine into a superscore at many colleges.
What other guides say
The published estimates disagree most at larger gains: for 4 to 6 points, PrepScholar says 80 hours, Ivy Strides says 25 to 45 hours for 4 points and 50 to 80 for 6+, and Piqosity's rate implies about 28 to 42 hours (PrepScholar; Ivy Strides; Piqosity). None of the three publishes its underlying data, and all three sell test prep, so treat the numbers as rough planning inputs.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours should I study for the ACT?
It depends on the gain you want. Published estimates run from about 7 to 10 hours for a 1-point gain to 40 or more hours for 4 points, with more hours per point at higher scores.
Can you raise your ACT score by 4 points?
Many students do, but it takes real time: published estimates for a 4-point gain range from about 25 to 45 hours (Ivy Strides) to 40 hours (PrepScholar). ACT's own average retest gain is about one point for students who first score 13 to 29.
How long before the ACT should I start studying?
Work backward from your test date and the hours you can sustain each week. PrepScholar suggests, for example, about two hours a week for two months for a 1 to 2 point goal.
Is studying for one week enough for the ACT?
A week can cover the test format and pacing. For a meaningful score gain, the published estimates suggest more hours than most students fit into one week.
Related guides
Sources and how this page is built
How this page is built
Research current as of:
Cedrick Reese put this guide together for TutoringForAct.com from the study-hour estimates published by Piqosity, PrepScholar and Ivy Strides, each quoted with its date, and ACT's own retest data. No figure on this page comes from our own testing, and the planner only divides your hours by each source's estimate. The estimates are rechecked when the sources update their pages.
Sources
- How Long Should You Study for the ACT Test? (Piqosity, February 19, 2026)
- Exactly How Long Should You Study for the ACT? (PrepScholar, updated August 21, 2024)
- Can You Retake the ACT? (ACT)
- How Much Does SAT/ACT Tutoring Cost? (Ivy Strides, June 25, 2026)
ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT Education Corp., which is not affiliated with and does not endorse this site. ACT policies, fees and score tables change; check ACT.org before you register or apply.