What Is an ACT Tutor and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

The responsibilities of an ACT tutor revolve around helping students prepare for the ACT exam. In this career, you teach students how to prep for the test, facilitate practice tests, and teach strategies for test taking. Your duties include offering advice and practice for math, science, and English, as well as any other subjects with which a student needs assistance. Your exact role may depend on where you work. ACT tutors in high schools may follow a general test prep plan, while those in tutoring centers and private tutors may focus only on a student's needs.

ACT tutors may or may not be licensed teachers. If you teach ACT prep outside of school hours, you may only need a college degree. However, teachers who offer ACT classes during the school day usually need a teaching license. You can work at both tutoring centers or schools. Most employers expect qualifications like a college degree and previous experience in education or tutoring. You can gain experience and teaching skills by working in a tutoring center during college on either a paid or volunteer basis.

An ACT tutor needs both teaching skills and knowledge of the ACT exam. You need the ability to communicate clearly in a way that students understand, and you need to be methodical in your teaching approach so that you ensure that students absorb all the knowledge necessary for the ACT. You may also need strong test-taking skills yourself so that you can share your experience with your students. Finally, ACT tutors need to be able to assess each student and offer advice and practice tailored to each student’s needs.