Linda Scott is an assistant principal who has been teaching a nine-hour ACT preparation course at a junior college for 10 years. Although the course is short, she said it helps students put their test-taking fears aside. For a lot of students just knowing how to take a test and knowing the format of the test can help them do better. I try to tell them everything they need to do so they're not stressed out. Scott's ACT prep course features a mixture of lecture, discussion, exams and question and answer.
Students take practice exams and explore their weak areas in order to improve.
There are also companies, like the Sylvan Learning Center, that offer preparation programs. The Sylvan program focuses on critical thinking skills. Costs and the length of the Sylvan program depend on the student and her goals. The recommended best time to take the ACT is April instead of June. If the need is for remediation, they can take it again in June or the fall.