Last Updated: September 01, 2024
Best ACT Prep Apps
Candidates interested in clearing the ACT exam must prepare extensively to crack the test. While most students will opt for learning from prep books, students familiar with online classes and using social media apps might find it more convenient to prep from ACT apps. These apps can be considered good substitutes for prep books as long as the student sticks to the app and its content without getting distracted.
Even if candidates are preparing for the test using the best prep books, installing ACT prep apps will be beneficial in letting them carry the test materials wherever they go. Students can learn for the exam in an interactive manner that can seem less stressful than cramming from heavy books.
Why Choose an ACT Prep App?
ACT prep apps are an alternative gaining popularity among test takers who want an interactive way to prep. The main reason test-takers choose prep apps is the lack of heavy prep books they have to lug around until they clear the exam. While a prep book will help the student remain focused and provide fewer chances for distraction, a prep app can be both enjoyable and easily portable, irrespective of where the candidate is at. They can prep for the examination wherever they are as long as they have their phone or tablet.
Most of the ACT prep apps provide features like-
- Realistic practice questions
- Interactive explanations
- Detailed content instruction
- Hundreds of questions!
Top 7 ACT Prep Apps
A few of the best ACT prep apps include-
1
Magoosh ACT Flashcards
This app by Magoosh offers flashcards that candidates can learn from for the different sections of the test. The only section that does not have flashcards dedicated to it is the Reading section. Students can access the flashcards through an iPhone, Android, or the web from anywhere they are and learn on the go rather than make flashcards themselves. Every card's three stages in the app are learning, reviewing, and mastering, indicating where the candidate stands regarding their knowledge for the exam.
The app is 9.2 MB, and its current rating is 4.6. The features offered include-
- There are 216 flashcards for the subjects of English, Mathematics, and Science that students can access free of cost.
- Upon paying a nominal fee, they can access the program's premium version and 700 flashcards.
- Students can also use the video lessons and articles regarding study tips that can immensely help.
- Students can sync their learning progress across devices, making it more convenient.
2
Khan Academy
The nonprofit Khan Academy was founded to provide everyone, everywhere, access to a top-notch education for free. Students can study math (arithmetic, pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra) with the help of professionally produced videos, interactive exercises, and in-depth articles. The app is available on both iOS and Android. The features of the app are:
- Students can access thousands of interactive exercises, videos, and articles.
- Students can practice tests, quizzes, and exercises with real-time feedback and detailed instructions. Students can practice at their own pace or follow along with what they are learning in class.
- Students can view videos without an internet connection by bookmarking and downloading their preferred content.
- The students' performance is immediately evaluated by their mastery system, which suggests specific skills and videos to try next.
3
Varsity Tutors’ ACT App
This app is a comprehensive package of a student's requirements for ACT prep. The app provides online learning tools and even flashcards from which students can comfortably learn. It focuses on making students understand the content and format of the test along with the test-taking strategies that can benefit the student.
The features provided in the app include-
- The app contains different full-length practice tests.
- Students can choose from the English, Reading, Mathematics, and Sciences sections.
- The questions provided have the exact format the official test chose.
- Students can access flashcards through the app for subjects like reading, writing, Earth Science, Physics, etc.
- The flashcards that are provided can be in the form of audio, video, or text based on what the student is comfortable with.
- Students can customize the flashcards according to their wishes.
- The app contains diagnostic tests for every section.
4
ACT: Practice, Prep, Flashcards
The Varsity Tutors also provide this app and has a rating of 4.8. The app is just 17 MB, and the subjects covered include English, Mathematics, Science, Reading, and Writing. The features in the app include-
- There are full-length practice tests included in the app.
- Students will be able to access the flashcards for every individual subject.
- The flashcards are provided according to subjects like chemistry, trigonometry, biology, grammatical errors, etc.
- There is a Learn by Concept feature that students can use to take practice questions for each concept separately.
5
ACT Prep for Dummies
This app is free and focuses on one’s weak areas so they can improve their scores. It covers all subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, and Reading Comprehension. Along with content and format knowledge, students will also be able to learn about test-taking strategies for the examination, which is not so common among prep apps. The app is 97 MB in size and compatible with iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch. It contains in-app purchases.
A few of the features include-
- Students can access over 950 practice questions.
- provides full-length practice tests.
- provides details for test-taking strategies that students can learn from.
The app costs $4.99 if candidates buy from Google Play, and it is free for candidates using the Apple Store in the beginning. Students will eventually have to purchase the premium content they offer, which will depend on the feature they request.
6
PerfectPrep - ACT & SAT Prep
Students can learn and practice at their own pace without stress or pressure and still achieve excellent results. It's an all-in-one app that provides all the content students need. In addition to receiving a study schedule specifically designed for them, students get to choose their exam date. Along with tracking their progress, students can maintain their motivation and ace the ACT or SAT. The app size is 128 MB and requires iOS 13 or later. Other features of the app are:
- Students can get practice in settings that mimic the actual SAT and ACTs. They can estimate their expected score and check their knowledge within time constraints.
- Check right answers quickly and easily with thorough explanations, eliminating the need to turn to the back of a practice book.
- To ensure that students finish the appropriate number of questions and get some quick study time, flip and swipe the cards to review SAT/ACT concepts without going through the entire test.
- Students can get help with test preparation and increase their knowledge by watching ACT and SAT video tutorials.
- Students can also study the topics they need to review to improve their scores and receive a prediction of their ACT score based on how well they pass practice exams.
The following are the app's subscription prices:
- PerfectPrep Premium 1 Month-$9.99
- PerfectPrep Premium 6 Months- $39.99
- PerfectPrep Premium 1 Week- $4.99
7
ACT Online Prep
This mobile app is provided by the official non-profit organization that conducts the exam. Students who download this app will be able to access the entirety of the program through their mobile app and use it flexibly to suit their chosen learning path. Most of the exam content is taught through engaging games that students will be able to play with other students. These games will help them understand where they stand concerning other test takers.
The features included with the prep app are-
- Students can access two full-length tests to familiarize themselves with the ACT format.
- Students will be able to access additional practice questions.
- Students will be able to take diagnostic tests.
- There are gaming features that allow students to compete with friends.
- They can track their learning progress at both individual and aggregate levels.
- Students can track their time on the app.
- The app contains a classroom where teachers can assign students to work to enhance their learning.
- The teachers will also be able to recognize the areas in which the class needs help.
Students can purchase this online prep for $40. It is considered equal to two prep books and has the added benefit of being the official app in which one can invest.
Are ACT Prep Apps Enough?
While ACT prep apps are gaining popularity among new students, the apps cannot entirely be considered to be at the peak of their performance. Creating an app for test prep is still at the beginning stages of execution and, hence, has a few drawbacks that test takers must consider before relying entirely on the app for preparation.
Most of the best ACT apps lack enough practice questions. This does not imply that the apps do not provide practice questions. Students will often have to incessantly practice as part of their prep routine to get the score they desire, and the apps might not be the best place to find materials for the same. The apps are also not set to meet the candidate's skill levels and provide customized learning for the candidate. This can be a setback for candidates who wish to focus on certain aspects of their prep more than others.