Outside of the University of California (UC) system, the ACT® is still a key factor college admissions officers consider when deciding who will join their incoming classes. The ACT is one of the two admissions tests that colleges typically consider. Despite this, many high schools don’t incorporate ACT prep into their curricula. Which leaves parents trying to decide which program and prep method could be the best fit for their child.
While regular ACT prep would seem like the default option, an ACT boot camp could prove to be a great alternative as well. Before we dig into which one could be a better fit for your child, let’s start with the basics.
What Is ACT Prep?
ACT prep programs do exactly what the name suggests: prepare your child for ACT. These after school programs are typically flexible enough to fit into your child’s regular routine, so they can prepare for the ACT while still having time for homework throughout the school year. ACT prep teaches your child common test-taking strategies and how to better manage their time using practice tests. They cover commonly asked questions on the English, math, reading and science sections while helping your child adjust to the testing environment.
By September 2025, the science portion will be optional on all versions of the ACT. Since the new core components will be math, reading, and English, most ACT prep programs may not include science as part of their core curricula. If your child is interested in the science section, make sure to ask if it’s included as part of the program.
ACT prep offers a supportive environment for your child to experiment, learn, adjust to exam content, and create a game plan for test day.
Traditional ACT prep programs may be ideal for:
- Any student planning to take (or retake) the ACT
- Students seeking gradual improvement over time
- Students wanting drastic score improvements
What Is an ACT Boot Camp?
ACT boot camps do the same thing as an ACT program only on a shorter timeline. Rather than having ACT courses sprinkled throughout the year, an ACT boot camp offers a cluster of courses in the summer. They cover commonly asked questions, test-taking strategies, and learning opportunities to help your child prepare for the big day.
ACT boot camps may be ideal for:
- Students with too many competing priorities throughout the school year (like preparing for multiple AP exams)
- Students retaking the ACT
- Students wanting a last-minute score boost
Which Is Better: Regular ACT Prep or an ACT Boot Camp?
One ACT prep method isn’t inherently better than the other.
Both provide unique benefits while still helping your child work toward their ideal score. Both incorporate a mix of practice tests, test-taking strategies, and immersive testing environments, so your child isn’t caught off guard when they take the ACT.
Which ACT prep method your child chooses depends on what they can handle throughout the school year, their learning style, and how much they want to improve.
How to Choose the Best ACT Prep Method for Your Child
Junior year can be a stressful time for any student since that’s when they start taking college admissions seriously. During this time, they’re likely learning about the college admissions process, narrowing down their college list, juggling AP courses, planning school visits, working on personal statements, and much more.
Ideally, your child would begin ACT prep in the fall of their junior year and take the ACT the following spring. If your child is taking multiple AP courses and wants to prepare for the corresponding exams in May, they may have some difficulty finding a balance between AP prep and ACT prep. This could lead to added stress, burnout, and less than their ideal performance. In this instance, an ACT boot camp could be a way to reshuffle priorities and reduce the stress your child is under, while still staying on track to meet college application deadlines.
If your child wants a structured, long-term program that allows them to steadily improve their scores, they may find regular ACT prep is a better fit for them. It breaks ACT prep down into smaller, more manageable sessions that are flexible enough to accommodate commitments your child may have. Because they have a longer timeframe in which they can prepare, your child may see their scores improve much more than someone only taking a boot camp.
Understanding your child’s learning style is another great way to decide which method could be a better fit for them. For example, if your child thrives in structured environments that progress at a steady place, regular ACT prep could be great for them. They’ll be exposed to material over a longer period of time, allowing them to improve their expertise in different areas, improve understanding of more complex concepts, and better retain information.
If your child works well in a time crunch and has prior experience taking the ACT, a boot camp might be a better option. They cover a ton of material in a short amount of time. If your child doesn’t handle stress well or becomes quickly overwhelmed, a regular ACT prep program would be a much better fit.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to deciding which one is a better fit for your child. If you’re unsure which works best for them, don’t hesitate to reach out. We can help your child create an ACT prep plan and college application timeline that works with their goals.
Make the Most of Your Child’s ACT Prep with C2
The right ACT prep option for your child ultimately depends on their learning style, goals, and preferences.
Regular ACT prep programs offer sustained learning and graduate improvement over months, while an ACT boot camp offers quick results in a few short weeks. Regardless of which method your child chooses, the goal remains the same: ensuring your child has the skills and confidence to earn their target score.
At C2 Education, both our regular ACT prep program and our ACT Boot Camp are led by some of the brightest subject matter experts around. We know what it takes to help your child succeed, and we can’t wait to help them get started.
