The Three Numbers Every Family Should Know Before Paying for ACT Tutoring

College planning is about more than getting accepted—it's about making informed financial decisions.

Every year, families spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars preparing for the ACT without first asking an important question:

Will improving my student's ACT score actually change their opportunities?

At Big Future Academics, we encourage families to begin with three numbers before investing in ACT preparation. Those numbers can help determine whether tutoring is likely to provide a meaningful return.

Number One: The Admission Threshold

The first number to understand is the ACT score typically needed for admission to the colleges your student is considering. This is the minimum score—or score range—that makes admission realistic.

For example:

• A student applying to a university with a typical admitted ACT range of 21–27 has very different preparation needs than a student applying to a highly selective engineering program.

Many colleges are now test-optional, meaning students may choose not to submit ACT scores at all. However, families should be careful not to assume that "test-optional" means ACT scores no longer matter.

Many schools continue to use ACT scores for:

• Honors college admission

• Merit scholarships

• Course placement

• Competitive academic programs

Understanding a school's admission policy is the first step in deciding whether ACT preparation makes sense.

Number Two: The Merit Scholarship Threshold

This is the number families often overlook. Admission and scholarships are not the same conversation. A student may already have an ACT score that is high enough to gain admission. But another two or three points could qualify them for thousands of dollars in renewable scholarships. Imagine two students applying to the same university.

Student A earns a 24 ACT.

Student B earns a 27 ACT.

Both students are admitted.

However, if the university awards larger merit scholarships beginning at a 26 ACT, Student B could graduate with significantly less debt. Not every university publishes scholarship thresholds in exactly the same way, and many now use holistic review. Even so, stronger academic credentials—including ACT scores where considered—can improve scholarship competitiveness.

Before paying for ACT tutoring, ask:

• Does this school offer merit scholarships?

• Are there published academic criteria?

• Could improving my student's score realistically affect scholarship opportunities?

  
  

Sometimes the answer is no. Sometimes it is worth far more than the cost of tutoring.

Number Three: Your Student's Starting Point

The final number is your student's current score. This determines whether meaningful improvement is realistic. Consider three students.

Student A

Current ACT: 17

Target school admission profile: 18–22

A one- or two-point improvement may be enough to strengthen the student's application.

Student B

Current ACT: 24

Target scholarship consideration begins around 26–27. This student may benefit significantly from focused preparation if they are capable of reaching that range.

Student C

Current ACT: 22

Dream school average ACT: 33

While improvement is always possible, families should also evaluate whether other college options, transfer pathways, or financial strategies may provide a stronger return on investment. The goal isn't simply to raise a score. The goal is to determine whether improving the score changes future opportunities.

Don't Forget the Community College Pathway

One of the smartest financial decisions many families make is beginning at a community college.

Students can complete general education requirements, save thousands of dollars in tuition, and transfer to a four-year university after two years.

For these students, extensive ACT preparation may not provide the same return as it would for someone pursuing competitive merit scholarships immediately after high school.

The Hidden Benefit of ACT Preparation

Families sometimes think ACT preparation is only about one Saturday morning exam. We see it differently.

High-quality ACT preparation strengthens the academic skills students will continue using long after the test.

Students develop stronger:

• Reading comprehension

• Grammar and writing skills

• Algebra and geometry knowledge

• Problem-solving abilities

• Critical thinking

• Scientific reasoning

These are the same skills that support success in:

• Honors classes

• AP courses

• College coursework

• Graduate school

• Professional programs

The best ACT preparation isn't simply about increasing a number. It's about strengthening the academic foundation that supports every future challenge.

A Better Way to Think About ACT Tutoring

Instead of asking:

"How much does ACT tutoring cost?"

Ask:

"What opportunities could a stronger ACT score create?"

For some students, those opportunities include:

• Admission to a preferred university.

• Greater scholarship eligibility.

• Placement into advanced coursework.

• Increased confidence entering college.

For others, another investment—such as strengthening foundational reading, writing, or mathematics skills—may provide even greater long-term value.

Our Advice to Families

Before investing in ACT preparation, we encourage every family to answer three questions:

1. What ACT score is typically needed for admission to my student's target schools?

2. At what score do meaningful scholarship opportunities become available?

3. How close is my student to those benchmarks?

Once those answers are clear, families can make informed decisions about whether ACT preparation is likely to provide a worthwhile return. At Big Future Academics, our goal is not simply to prepare students for one exam. Our goal is to help families invest wisely, strengthen lasting academic skills, and position students for success in college and beyond.

Call to Action

Not sure whether ACT tutoring makes sense for your student?

We offer individualized academic phone consultations to help families evaluate:

• College goals

• Admission requirements

• Scholarship opportunities

• ACT readiness

• Academic strengths and areas for growth

Sometimes the best investment is ACT preparation. Sometimes it's strengthening the foundation that will support every academic challenge to come. We'll help you determine which path makes the most sense for your student.