When Should You Start Studying for the ACT? 1–6 Month Plans

Most students take the ACT during junior or senior year.

The best preparation timeline depends on:

• your starting score;
• your target;
• school workload;
• activities;
• application deadlines.

See our complete guide to the Enhanced ACT for the full test format before you plan around it.

If you have 6 months

Excellent.

Use the time in phases.

Months 1–2

Fix foundations.

Months 3–4

ACT-specific practice.

Month 5

Timed sections.

Month 6

Full tests and targeted repair.

Long timelines are especially useful when Math or English foundations still need work.

If you have 3 months

This is a strong preparation window for many students.

A typical week:

• one English session;
• one Math session;
• one Reading session;
• one review/timed session.

Add full tests periodically.

If you have 2 months

Still workable.

Prioritize:

• biggest section weakness;
• high-frequency grammar;
• core Math;
• Reading pacing;
• timed practice.

Do not spend the first two weeks organizing materials.

If you have 1 month

You need prioritization.

Do:

1. diagnostic;
2. identify top weaknesses;
3. targeted skill repair;
4. timed sections;
5. one or two realistic full-test checkpoints.

Avoid trying to “complete” a giant course. For a full day-by-day breakdown, see our 1-month ACT study plan.

If you have 2 weeks

Focus on:

• current test format;
• pacing;
• predictable easy/medium errors;
• test-day logistics.

Do not attempt to rebuild your entire Math education in 14 days.

Junior-year timing

A common path is:

• fall junior year: first attempt/baseline;
• spring junior year: retake;
• fall senior year: final attempt if useful.

ACT itself presents this as a common testing pattern. Check the 2026–27 ACT test dates to line up your timeline with an actual registration deadline.

Should you take the ACT early just for practice?

You can.

But official full tests also cost time and money.

A realistic practice test can give you useful experience before you use a real administration as a diagnostic.

Science timing

Science is optional on the current ACT.

If you plan to take it, add Science-specific practice after your core English/Math/Reading plan is stable—unless a target program makes Science particularly important. See the rest of our ACT guides for more section-specific timing advice.

Bottom line

Start early enough that you can:

learn → practice → review → retest

For many students, 2–3 months of serious preparation is a practical target.

Start earlier if your schedule is busy or your score gap is large.

Official source

• ACT When to Take the ACT: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores/when-to-take-the-act.html

---

Trademark note: ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT Education Corp. MastaPrep is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by ACT Education Corp.