The ACT costs money to register, study materials cost more, and test prep courses can run $1,000–$3,000—a genuine barrier for students from low-income households. You don't have to choose between test prep and paying rent, though; legitimate affordable options exist if you know where to find them. This guide breaks down realistic, budget-conscious strategies to raise your ACT score without financial strain.
Free Official Resources First
College Board and ACT Inc. both publish free practice materials. The ACT's website includes free sample tests, answer explanations, and subject-specific guides at no charge. Khan Academy partnered with College Board to offer free SAT prep, and while their ACT coverage is lighter, the math and reading strategies overlap significantly.
Start with these before spending anything. A focused month using only official materials and Khan Academy can bump scores by 2–4 points, especially if your baseline is below 24.
Community Resources and School Support
Most public high schools offer free test prep through their guidance counseling office—ask directly if your school has ACT prep materials, practice test schedules, or partnerships with local colleges. Some districts run Saturday prep sessions at no cost to students.
Public libraries often carry ACT study books and sometimes host free prep workshops. Community centers, especially in urban areas, occasionally partner with nonprofits to offer free test prep clinics.
Check if you qualify for fee waivers. Low-income students can register for the ACT for free using ACT Fee Waivers, which also unlock free score reports and college application fee waivers—this alone saves $60–$100 and opens access to need-blind admissions.
Low-Cost Tutoring and Group Classes
One-on-one tutors in your area typically charge $25–$60 per hour for ACT prep (versus $75–$150 for national chains). Local college students, graduate programs in education, and retired teachers often tutor affordably. Post on community Facebook groups or ask your school counselor for referrals.
Group classes run $150–$400 for a 4–6 week course through community colleges or nonprofit organizations. These cost significantly less than commercial test prep companies and include live instruction, practice tests, and feedback.
Online and App-Based Options Under $50
Affordable digital prep platforms include:
- Magoosh ACT Prep (~$50–$80 for monthly access; video lessons, 500+ practice questions)
- PrepShala (~$30–$60; structured video courses with practice sets)
- Varsity Tutors (free tier available; premium plan $10–$15/month for unlimited practice)
- UWorld ACT (~$50 for three months; detailed explanations on every question)
These beat the $500+ price tags of national chains like Princeton Review or Kaplan, and many offer free trials to test compatibility before you pay.
Strategic Test Registration and Retakes
Register early to lock in the standard fee (~$68) before late fees kick in. Plan to take the ACT twice—once as a baseline, once after 6–8 weeks of focused prep. Most students improve 2–3 points on a second attempt simply from familiarity.
If you don't see improvement after your second test, a third attempt rarely helps without structured tutoring or a course change. Avoid paying for multiple retakes hoping scores improve; invest in better prep instead.
Scholarship and Sponsorship Opportunities
Some nonprofits fund test prep for low-income students:
- COOP Careers provides free ACT prep and college counseling in select cities.
- The Princeton Review's Community Scholars Program offers discounted courses to underrepresented students.
- Local rotary clubs, churches, and community foundations sometimes grant test prep funds; ask your school counselor.
Contact your school's college counselor—they often know local grants or sponsors willing to fund prep for qualifying students.
How to Choose Your Path
Start free (official materials + Khan Academy). If that stalls, move to a $30–$50 app or low-cost tutor. Only pursue group classes or tutoring if free resources haven't moved your score in 4–6 weeks of consistent effort.
Mercoly makes it easy to compare affordable ACT prep providers in your area, read reviews from other low-income students, and find transparent pricing—all in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I raise my ACT score by 3+ points with only free resources? Yes—official practice tests, Khan Academy, and library books are sufficient for most students below 26, especially with 8–10 weeks of consistent practice.
Q: Should I pay for a full prep course if I'm low-income? Only if free and low-cost options haven't worked after 4–6 weeks; most high-scoring students use a mix of free materials and one affordable tutor session monthly rather than full courses.
Q: What's the minimum I should spend on ACT prep? The test registration fee (~$68) is unavoidable; everything else is optional if you use free materials, so technically $68 is your floor.
Start with free resources today, track your practice test scores weekly, and upgrade only if progress stalls.