ACT study materials — ranked and compared

The best ACT prep courses, classes and study resources for the enhanced test

Eight ACT prep options — including the free official route — compared on enhanced-format alignment, practice quality, learning support, total cost, and accessibility. Prices and features checked directly from vendor pages on September 30, 2026.

Updated September 30, 2026
8 options compared
No affiliate links

Published by PrepSolution, an exam-preparation provider. This comparison uses published provider information. We have not tested these courses hands-on or measured their learning outcomes. Check each provider’s current inclusions and terms before buying.

As of September 30, 2026, the strongest starting point for most students is free: ACT publishes four official enhanced-format practice tests, section quizzes, and a daily question. The paid options below are worth comparing only if you need structured lessons, more explanations, or a guarantee. Every price, question count, and guarantee term below comes from the vendor's own public pages checked on September 30, 2026; this comparison is not based on hands-on testing.

01
MagooshBest overall paid course$129 one-time (12 months)
A $129, 12-month self-paced course with 7,800+ questions, up to 32 official practice tests, video explanations, and a +4-point or full-refund guarantee — but the guarantee requires a prior official score.
02
ACT OfficialBest free baseline$0
The exam maker's own free prep: four full-length enhanced-format practice tests (forms 25MC1, 25MC5, 26MC2, 26MC3), each with its own scoring key, plus section quizzes and a question of the day.
03
UWorldBest for explanations$99–$249 (30–360 days)
A 2,500+ question QBank known for detailed rationales, with plans from $99 (30 days) to $249 (360 days); enhanced-format aligned, but no score guarantee was found on the vendor page.
04
PrepScholarBest structured program$397 one-time (12 months)
A $397 adaptive study program with 3,000+ questions, four official practice tests, and a +4-point guarantee — but the guarantee has strict completion conditions.
05
Test NinjasBest low-cost subscription$29/mo ($87/quarter on sale)
A budget subscription with 3,400+ questions, 15 practice tests, and a +3-point money-back guarantee for students starting at 26 or below — listed as "Built for the new Enhanced ACT · 2026."
06
PiqosityBest budget one-time purchase$89 one-time (365 days)
An $89 one-time course with 300 questions, six practice tests, and 365 days of access — a cheap enhanced-ACT entry point, but the question bank is smaller than paid rivals.
07
AchievableBest adaptive course$99 (12 months)
A $99 adaptive course with 1,000+ questions, generated math items, three+ practice tests, and a tiered +4 to +6 point money-back guarantee — but enhanced-ACT alignment is only implied, not explicitly labeled.
08
Princeton ReviewBest known brand$299 one-time (12 months)
A $299 self-paced course with a Better Scores Guarantee, but question count and full-test count were not stated on the vendor page as of September 30, 2026.

Every ACT prep option at a glance

Course	Best for	Price	Questions	Mocks	Guarantee
Magoosh	Students who want structured video lessons plus a large question bank at a mid-range price	$129 one-time (12 months)	7,800+	Up to 32 official	+4 points or refund
ACT Official	Every student before spending money	$0	Daily + section quizzes	4 official	None
UWorld	Students who learn best by reading why every answer choice is right or wrong	$99–$249 (30–360 days)	2,500+	1 score-predicting test	None found
PrepScholar	Students who want a step-by-step adaptive study plan	$397 one-time (12 months)	3,000+	4 official	+4 points (conditions apply)
Test Ninjas	Budget-conscious students who want a large test library	$29/mo ($87/quarter on sale)	3,400+	15	+3 points (conditions)
Piqosity	Students who want a cheap one-time option with no subscription	$89 one-time (365 days)	300	6	None
Achievable	Students who want an adaptive, app-like study experience	$99 (12 months)	1,000+ + generated math	3+	+4 to +6 points
Princeton Review	Students who trust the Princeton Review brand and want a guarantee	$299 one-time (12 months)	Not stated by vendor	Not stated by vendor	Better Scores

Prices and counts pulled from each provider’s public pages. Scroll the table sideways on small screens.

Best overall paid course

Magoosh ACT Premium

Self-paced video course + QBank · Best for: Students who want structured video lessons plus a large question bank at a mid-range price

Questions: 7,800+
Full tests: Up to 32 official
Access: 12 months
Guarantee: +4 points or refund

Magoosh's Premium ACT plan advertises 7,800+ practice questions, video lessons, and up to 32 official practice tests for a one-time $129 with 12 months of access. The vendor page explicitly references the enhanced ACT, so the content is current-format. The question bank is large, explanations are video-based, and the platform tracks progress and weak areas.

The headline guarantee promises a +4-point score improvement or a full refund, but the conditions matter: it requires a prior official ACT score taken within the last five years, and students who start above a 30 have a different threshold. This comparison is based on Magoosh's published pages, not hands-on testing.

What’s great

Strong price-to-content ratio at $129 for 12 months
Large question bank with video explanations
Explicit enhanced-ACT alignment on the vendor page
+4-point money-back guarantee

What’s not

Guarantee requires a prior official score and has score-band conditions
Video-heavy format may not suit students who prefer text rationales
Up to 32 official tests is generous, but quality depends on how they are integrated

Bottom line

Magoosh ACT Premium at $129 as of September 2026 is the best-balanced paid option: a large bank, structured videos, current-format alignment, and a guarantee — read the guarantee conditions before buying.

Visit Magoosh

Best free baseline

ACT Official Free Test Prep

Free official practice tests + quizzes · Best for: Every student before spending money

Questions: Daily + section quizzes
Full tests: 4 official
Access: Ongoing
Guarantee: None

ACT's free test-prep page lists four full-length practice tests — Practice Tests 1–4, forms 25MC1, 25MC5, 26MC2, and 26MC3 — each available in digital and paper form and each paired with its own scoring key and conversion tables. It also includes section quizzes and a question of the day. Because ACT writes the exam, version alignment is perfect by definition.

The drawback is support structure: there is no adaptive study plan, no video lessons, and no tutor chat. Students who need teaching or error-logging help will want to pair this free baseline with a paid course or self-study plan. We did not test the platform hands-on; this assessment is based on ACT's published pages checked September 30, 2026.

What’s great

Completely free, with four official full-length enhanced-format tests
Each form has its own scoring key — the only practice that mirrors real scoring
Section quizzes and daily question for short practice sessions
No registration or subscription required

What’s not

No structured course, lessons, or study plan
No explanations or teaching for missed questions
No guarantee, tutor access, or progress analytics

Bottom line

ACT's official free prep is the honest starting point for every student in 2026: four real enhanced-format tests at $0. Use it to benchmark before buying anything.

Best for explanations

UWorld ACT QBank

Self-paced QBank · Best for: Students who learn best by reading why every answer choice is right or wrong

Questions: 2,500+
Full tests: 1 score-predicting test
Access: 30 / 90 / 180 / 360 days
Guarantee: None found

UWorld's ACT QBank is built around 2,500+ practice questions with the detailed, choice-by-choice rationales the company is known for. The vendor page confirms enhanced-ACT alignment, and the 180- or 360-day plans fit a typical multi-month study timeline. A single score-predicting full-length test is included; the 180- and 360-day plans allow a reset.

The trade-off is structure: this is a QBank first, not a full course. No score guarantee was stated on the vendor page as of September 30, 2026, and the 30-day plan at $99 is too short for most first-time studiers. We did not test the bank hands-on; comparisons are based on the published feature list and price list.

What’s great

Strong reputation for clear, thorough explanations
Explicit enhanced-ACT alignment
Large question bank with analytics and performance tracking
Score-predicting test with reset on longer plans

What’s not

No score guarantee stated by vendor
QBank-focused; lighter on video lessons or structured study plans
180-day plan at $199 is mid-range; 30-day plan is tight for most students

Bottom line

UWorld ACT QBank at $99–$249 as of September 2026 is the best explanation-focused tool for students who already have a study plan and want high-quality practice.

Visit UWorld

Best structured program

PrepScholar ACT Complete Online

Adaptive online course + QBank · Best for: Students who want a step-by-step adaptive study plan

Questions: 3,000+
Full tests: 4 official
Access: 12 months
Guarantee: +4 points (conditions apply)

PrepScholar Complete Online is a $397 adaptive program with 3,000+ questions, four official practice tests, and a 12-month access window. The vendor page explicitly addresses the enhanced ACT, and the program structures lessons and practice around a diagnostic baseline.

The +4-point guarantee is attractive but condition-heavy: students must complete the assigned coursework and practice tests, and the guarantee scales to reaching a 34 if the starting score is 30 or above. At $397 it is the most expensive self-paced option in this ranking. We did not test the platform hands-on.

What’s great

Adaptive study plan based on diagnostic performance
3,000+ questions and four official practice tests
Explicit enhanced-ACT support
+4-point guarantee with clear (if strict) conditions

What’s not

Expensive at $397 for self-paced content
Guarantee conditions require significant completed coursework
Higher starting scores have a higher guarantee threshold

Bottom line

PrepScholar ACT Complete Online at $397 as of September 2026 is the most structured self-paced program, worth the cost only if you will follow the adaptive plan closely.

Visit PrepScholar

Best low-cost subscription

Test Ninjas Enhanced ACT

Subscription-based course + QBank · Best for: Budget-conscious students who want a large test library

Questions: 3,400+
Full tests: 15
Access: Subscription
Guarantee: +3 points (conditions)

Test Ninjas advertises a 2026 enhanced-ACT course with 3,400+ questions and 15 practice tests at a sale price of $29 per month (regularly $39). The vendor page explicitly says "Built for the new Enhanced ACT · 2026," which is a clearer format claim than many competitors.

The +3-point money-back guarantee is limited to students starting at 26 or below and requires full course completion. The subscription model means costs can add up over a multi-month timeline, and the brand has a thinner independent review footprint than Magoosh or UWorld. We did not test the platform hands-on.

What’s great

Low entry price with a large question and test library
Explicit "Built for the new Enhanced ACT" labeling
+3-point money-back guarantee
15 full practice tests for repetition

What’s not

Guarantee limited to starting scores of 26 or below
Subscription costs add up if study extends beyond a quarter
Less established brand with fewer third-party reviews

Bottom line

Test Ninjas Enhanced ACT at ~$29/month as of September 2026 is the best low-cost subscription for students who want a large test library and explicit enhanced-format alignment.

Visit Test Ninjas

Best budget one-time purchase

Piqosity ACT Honors

Self-paced course + QBank · Best for: Students who want a cheap one-time option with no subscription

Questions: 300
Full tests: 6
Access: 365 days
Guarantee: None

Piqosity's Honors plan is a one-time $89 purchase with 365 days of access, 300 practice questions, and six full practice tests. The vendor confirms enhanced-ACT alignment, and Piqosity also offers a free On-Track tier (150 questions, two tests) and a $149 Advanced tier (1,200+ questions, 12 tests).

The question count is modest compared to Magoosh or UWorld, so Honors works best as a budget supplement or a first structured look rather than a primary deep-prep resource. There is no pass guarantee. Assessment is based on Piqosity's published pages, not hands-on testing.

What’s great

Very cheap one-time price with a full year of access
No subscription or auto-renewal
Explicit enhanced-ACT alignment
Free On-Track tier available for a zero-risk trial

What’s not

Only 300 questions in the Honors tier
No guarantee
Less comprehensive than Magoosh, UWorld, or PrepScholar

Bottom line

Piqosity ACT Honors at $89 as of September 2026 is the best cheap one-time enhanced-ACT option, though most students will outgrow its 300-question bank.

Visit Piqosity

Best adaptive course

Achievable ACT

Adaptive course + generated practice · Best for: Students who want an adaptive, app-like study experience

Questions: 1,000+ + generated math
Full tests: 3+
Access: 12 months
Guarantee: +4 to +6 points

Achievable ACT is a $99 adaptive course with 1,000+ questions, generated math items, and at least three practice tests over 12 months. The platform uses spaced-repetition and adaptive scheduling, and it offers a tiered +4 to +6 point money-back guarantee based on starting score.

The main uncertainty is format alignment: the vendor page mentions a 2-hour, 5-minute test and optional science, but it does not explicitly use an "enhanced ACT" label as of September 30, 2026. We marked this CLAIMED-vague rather than CONFIRMED. We did not test the platform hands-on.

What’s great

Adaptive, mobile-friendly study engine
Generated math questions for unlimited targeted drill
Strong guarantee tiered by starting score
Good value at $99 for 12 months

What’s not

Enhanced-ACT alignment is implied but not explicitly labeled
Question bank is smaller than Magoosh or UWorld
Less name recognition in the ACT market

Bottom line

Achievable ACT at $99 as of September 2026 is a good adaptive course, but verify the enhanced-format claims on the current vendor page before buying.

Visit Achievable

Best known brand

Princeton Review ACT Self-Paced

Self-paced online course · Best for: Students who trust the Princeton Review brand and want a guarantee

Questions: Not stated by vendor
Full tests: Not stated by vendor
Access: 12 months
Guarantee: Better Scores

Princeton Review's ACT Self-Paced course costs $299 for 12 months and includes the company's Better Scores Guarantee (higher score or refund, with coursework and practice-test conditions). The vendor page confirms enhanced-ACT alignment.

The drawback is transparency: as of September 30, 2026, the vendor page did not state the question count or the number of full-length practice tests included. For a $299 self-paced course, that missing detail makes value hard to judge against Magoosh, UWorld, and PrepScholar. We did not test the course hands-on.

What’s great

Established test-prep brand with live and self-paced options
Better Scores Guarantee with refund option
Enhanced-ACT alignment confirmed

What’s not

Question count and full-test count not stated by vendor
$299 is expensive for self-paced content with unstated practice volume
Guarantee conditions include completing coursework and practice tests

Bottom line

Princeton Review ACT Self-Paced at $299 as of September 2026 is a credible brand-name option, but the lack of published question/test counts makes it hard to justify over better-disclosed rivals.

Visit Princeton Review

The rest of the field

Other providers you may want to research alongside these options.

Kaplan ACT Self-Paced "Enhanced ACT Exam". Kaplan's self-paced course is priced at $179 for six months with 2,000+ official questions and three practice tests, but the vendor page states it is not eligible for the Higher Score Guarantee. That removes a key differentiator at this price.
ACT Official Self-Paced Course (Kaplan-powered). Also $179 for six months with 2,000+ real ACT questions and three tests. It is essentially the same Kaplan-powered product as Kaplan Self-Paced; we kept the better-known Kaplan entry in the rejected list and did not double-count.
Albert.io ACT QBank. A 6,400+ question bank at $196 ($49 per subject) with 11 practice tests. The price is reasonable, but no guarantee is visible and the per-subject pricing is less convenient than all-in-one rivals.
Acely ACT. Advertises 6,000+ questions, 20 tests, and a +5-point guarantee, but the subscription model ($149/month, $297/quarter, $588/year) is expensive for self-paced prep and the brand has limited independent review presence.
UWorld ACT Prep Course. The $299–$449 course tier adds books and checks to the QBank, but the core 2,500+ question QBank already covers the same practice material at lower cost.
PrepScholar ACT Complete + AI Assistant. Adds an AI assistant to the Complete Online package for $495. As of September 2026, the AI add-on does not justify the $98 premium for most students over the standard Complete plan.
Princeton Review ACT+SAT Self-Paced. At $499 for 12 months, this is only worthwhile if you are genuinely preparing for both tests. ACT-only buyers should choose a cheaper ACT-specific option.

How we evaluated these courses

We compare published exam alignment, practice resources, learning support, access terms, and cost. This is a review of provider information, not hands-on course testing or a measurement of learning outcomes.

Version alignment

How clearly the product supports the current enhanced ACT (50 English, 45 Math with 4 choices, 36 Reading, optional Science/Writing). A product that explicitly labels enhanced-ACT content scores higher than one with only vague timing references.

Sample quality

Question-bank size, realism to the enhanced format, availability of full-length practice tests, and whether rationales explain why wrong answers fail.

Learning support

Structured lessons, adaptive study plans, video or text teaching, progress analytics, and error-logging features.

Total cost

Total spend over a realistic 2–4 month study window, including subscription math and add-ons. Lower cost scores higher.

Accessibility/support

Access length, customer support channels, ease of use, and guarantee clarity.

1
Check provider descriptions and published access terms.
2
Compare each option against the needs described above.
3
Identify limitations and direct readers to provider sources for current offers.

Enhanced ACT facts (verified September 30, 2026)

Core test	131 presented questions in 125 minutes: English 50/35 min, Math 45/50 min, Reading 36/40 min.
Optional sections	Science: 40 questions / 40 minutes. Writing: 1 prompt / 40 minutes. Neither affects the Composite.
Composite	Rounded average of English, Math, and Reading scaled scores (1–36). Science and Writing are reported separately.
Math format	45 questions with 4 answer choices (down from 5 on the legacy ACT).
Rollout	National online: April 2025; national paper: September 2025; school-day: spring 2026; international content: February 2026.
Exam fees	EMR Composite $70; +Science $75; +Writing $95; +both $100. Add-ons: late $42, change $49 (per fees page), additional score reports $20.

Source: ACT test overview, ACT test enhancements FAQs, Design Framework for the ACT Enhancements (R2519), ACT fees page, and ACT free test-prep page, checked September 30, 2026.

How to choose ACT prep

Should you pay for ACT prep at all?

Start with ACT's free official tests. Four full-length enhanced-format tests with matching scoring keys are enough to diagnose your baseline. Pay only if you need structured lessons, detailed explanations, a guarantee, or more practice than the free route provides.

Which paid option fits a tight budget?

At $89 one-time, Piqosity Honors is the cheapest credible enhanced-ACT option. If you prefer a subscription, Test Ninjas at ~$29/month offers a larger library. Both beat jumping straight to $299+ programs.

Which option has the strongest guarantee?

Magoosh offers a +4-point or full-refund guarantee, PrepScholar offers +4 points with strict completion rules, and Test Ninjas offers +3 points for starters at 26 or below. Read the conditions: most guarantees require prior official scores, completed coursework, or minimum practice-test counts.

What if you only need practice questions?

UWorld ACT QBank is the best explanation-focused QBank. If you want official questions only, the free ACT route is unbeatable.

FAQ about ACT prep courses

What is the best ACT prep course in 2026?

For most students, the best place to start is free: ACT's official test-prep page. If you need a paid course, Magoosh ACT Premium ($129) offers the best balance of questions, videos, enhanced-format alignment, and guarantee terms as of September 2026.

How much does ACT prep cost?

ACT prep ranges from $0 (official free tests) to roughly $397 for structured self-paced programs like PrepScholar. Mid-range options include Magoosh at $129, Achievable at $99, UWorld at $99–$249, and Piqosity at $89–$149.

Where can I start with PrepSolution ACT resources?

Start with PrepSolution’s free ACT practice questions at /free-practice/act, then use the explanations to identify topics for review. Compare the resources on this page by exam alignment, learning format, access terms, and cost.

Are these ACT prep courses updated for the enhanced ACT?

All ranked options either explicitly state enhanced-ACT alignment or are the official ACT maker's own materials. Achievable is the only ranked option whose alignment is implied rather than explicitly labeled — verify the current vendor page before buying.

Do ACT prep guarantees really work?

They work only if you meet the conditions. Most guarantees require a prior official score, completion of assigned coursework, a minimum number of practice tests, or a starting score below a threshold. Read the fine print before choosing a course for its guarantee.

How many practice tests should you take before the ACT?

Most students benefit from at least two to four full-length timed tests under realistic conditions. ACT provides four free official enhanced-format tests; paid courses add more, but quality of review matters more than quantity.