ACT Tutoring That Works: Why Highly Motivated Teens Still Struggle and What Parents Are Doing Differently

Bundev Sawhney
20 août
5 min de lecture

Dernière mise à jour : 6 oct.

How consultative tutoring bridges the gap between struggling students and ACT scores

Key Learnings

Practice alone can’t fix timing or strategy issues.
Diagnostics reveal why scores plateau.
Personalized ACT tutoring matches learning style & pace.
Short, focused lessons improve mastery and confidence.
Regular progress reports keep parents informed.
Holistic tutoring drives measurable score improvement.

For many ambitious high school students, the ACT is more than just a test—it’s perhaps the most important gateway to college opportunities and scholarships. Yet even the most disciplined, high-achieving teens can find themselves stuck at a score that doesn’t reflect their true potential. The math section, in particular, can be a stumbling block—requiring not just knowledge, but speed, strategy, and the ability to think under pressure.

This was exactly the challenge facing Sonia, a 16-year-old junior at a competitive private school in Chicagoland. Strong in math and successful in AP classes, she expected ACT prep to be straightforward. But her scores told a different story, flatlining at a 26, well below her goal.

Her parents, Elena and Daniel, had tried after-school tutoring, test prep apps, and weekend practice tests, but nothing moved the needle. Keep reading to see how consultative and personalized ACT tutoring turned her frustration into measurable progress.

When Math Struggles Catch Up on the ACT

Sonia had never found math easy, but through middle and high school, she managed to keep pace, leaning on extra help, steady homework habits, and occasional after-school tutoring. She could work through problems given enough time, but speed was never her strength.

The ACT’s timed math section exposed those limits quickly. In her first practice test, she ran out of time with nearly a quarter of the questions unanswered.

A high school student solving ACT math problems using a calculator during test preparation.

Algebra and Trigonometry, which she’d always found challenging, felt even harder under the clock. Her initial score came in well below the 28-30 she needed for her target schools, and each retake showed little improvement.

When ACT Tutoring Alone Still Isn’t Enough

For the next three months, Sonia fell into a frustrating routine. Every weekend, she sat down for a full-length ACT practice test, determined that this time she would see a jump in her score. But each result told the same story: her math scores were stuck at 22 or 23.

She wasn’t slacking. Weeknights were spent on problem sets, carefully written notes, and drilling formulas until they blurred together. She reviewed the most challenging materials repeatedly, yet they still felt like walls she couldn’t climb. The added pressure of the clock only made things worse—she often left 8–10 questions blank, losing points before she had a chance to answer.

Her parents tried everything: after-school tutoring, group ACT prep classes, and test prep apps. But each solution focused on giving her more problems, not helping her work more efficiently or strategically.

A group of high school students studying together outdoors with books, notebooks, and tablets for ACT exam preparation.

The breaking point came just a month before the official exam, when Sonia saw yet another score in the low 20s. She closed the test booklet and told her parents, “I don’t know what else to do.” It was clear she didn’t just need more practice—she needed a completely different approach.

The Breakthrough with Personalized ACT Tutoring Service

The turning point came unexpectedly, at a parent-teacher meeting, a parent shared how her son had improved his ACT score by 6 points through a different kind of tutoring: a personalized, diagnostic-driven approach offered by Sawhney Scholars.

Unlike typical ACT tutoring options, Sawhney Scholars started with a diagnostic that revealed how Sonia approached problems, not just what she missed, but why. Careful evaluations were performed in order to determine how Sonia faltered within intermediate steps, something which previous support failed to address. The tutor uncovered timing issues, strategy gaps, and concept misunderstandings that no one had spotted before.

Using those insights, Sonia received a tailored learning plan focused on her toughest areas: two-variable Algebra, square roots, and Trigonometry—delivered in a way that fit her learning style. Short, visual lessons made complex ideas easier to grasp, while quick quizzes reinforced mastery without adding stress.

Every three weeks, her parents received clear progress reports that replaced uncertainty with confidence. And her tutor didn’t just teach content—she connected with Sonia, rebuilding the confidence that months of struggle had worn down.

Soon, the change was visible. Sonia’s ACT math score rose steadily. Her timing improved. Her energy came back.

How Sawhney Scholars Made a Difference

Up to 26% ACT Score Gains: Sonia’s score jumped, especially in math, pushing her into a higher admissions bracket.
Progress Visibility for Parents: Regular assessments helped Sonia’s family stay informed.
Micro-Learning for Mastery: Short lessons helped Sonia truly grasp each topic.
Learner-Style Adaptation: ACT tutoring matched Sonia’s pace and learning style.
Holistic Resource Process: She gained expert-led guidance and access to curated resources her school couldn’t offer.

Why Sawhney Scholars Is Different from Any ACT Tutoring Near You

Before finding Sawhney Scholars, Sonia’s ACT prep was a cycle of practice without progress, rigid lessons, surface-level feedback, and no clear path forward. With Sawhney Scholars, everything changed.

A diagnostic pre-assessment revealed how she approached problems, while adaptive coursework and a library of visual micro-content targeted her toughest concepts. Her tutor’s confidence-building, ask-don’t-tell method rebuilt trust and motivation, and periodic progress analysis kept her parents fully informed.

Supported by structured ACT tutoring, Sonia mastered timing, closed skill gaps, and raised her score. More than numbers, she gained confidence, strategy, and a clear path to her college goals.

Supported by a genuine enthusiasm for teaching, Sonia mastered timing, closed skill gaps, and raised her score. More than numbers, she gained confidence, strategy, and a clear path to her college goals.

Now, her college goals feel within reach, and she finally sees herself getting there.

Ready to see that kind of breakthrough for your teen?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. My teen keeps scoring the same on practice tests—can tutoring really help them improve? Yes. When scores plateau, it’s usually because the student is repeating the same mistakes without realizing it. Our diagnostic pre-assessment pinpoints exactly why their score isn’t moving—whether it’s timing issues, concept gaps, or inefficient strategies—and we address those directly with targeted lessons and practice that build both accuracy and confidence.

Q2. Will you focus on my teen’s weakest sections or cover the whole test?In our ACT tutoring method, we focus on where it matters most for score improvement. If one section is holding them back, we target it first with adaptive coursework and visual micro-lessons that simplify tough concepts. Once we see consistent gains, we expand to other sections to boost the composite score.

Q3. How will I know if my teen is making progress on ACT practice tests?Progress should be visible in both scores and confidence. Track practice test results over time, but also watch for changes in pacing, accuracy, and how your teen talks about the test. Consistent, measurable improvement usually shows up within a few weeks if the plan is targeted to their needs.