Good fit when
Your student is taking the ACT and you want to prepare well without paying, or before deciding what to pay for.
Before you choose
Free resources give you practice and tests, but not a teacher or a fixed schedule. Use ACT's official practice tests to check progress, since third-party tests are estimates.
Published by Dolphin, one of the options discussed. This is a review of documented features and study fit, not a hands-on benchmark or a measured ranking of learning outcomes.
The enhanced ACT in one minute
The ACT changed in 2025. The core test is now English (50 questions, 35 minutes), Math (45 questions, 50 minutes), and Reading (36 questions, 40 minutes), for 131 questions in 125 minutes. Science is optional (40 questions, 40 minutes) and is reported separately. The composite score is the average of English, Math, and Reading on a 1 to 36 scale. Make sure any prep you use matches this format.
Free ACT prep options compared
Published by Dolphin, one of the options listed. We checked each provider’s pages in October 2026.
| Option | What is free | Best for | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT free practice tests and MyACT | Official practice tests and prep resources | Checking your score in the real format | No daily practice plan |
| Official ACT Self-Paced Course (by Kaplan) | Free with an ACT fee waiver | Students who qualify for a fee waiver | Paid for everyone else |
| Dolphin | iPhone and Android apps | Daily ACT practice in English, Math, Reading, and Science with a video explanation for every question | Full-length practice tests are in paid Dolphin Web |
| Acely | Skills assessment plus 1 ACT practice test | Trying a full test with ACT-partnered content | Ongoing access is $149 a month and up |
| AlphaTest | Free plan with selected questions and an AI tutor | Trying AI-explained practice | Full test library is paid |
| Kaplan | Free class trial and events | Seeing a live class before paying | Courses are paid |
A free ACT plan that works
- Take an official ACT practice test to get a starting score by section.
- Pick your weakest section. Start where your score is lowest, and look at which question types you missed most.
- Practice 15 to 30 minutes a day on that section in a free app like Dolphin, and watch the explanation for every miss.
- Retake a different official practice test after three to four weeks and compare section scores.
- Decide if you need more. If progress stalls, that is the time to consider a paid course or tutor.
Why Dolphin is a strong free ACT app
Dolphin covers the SAT and ACT in one account, including ACT English, Math, Reading, and Science. The free iPhone and Android apps adapt to the topics you miss most, and every question has a short video explanation. Pip, Dolphin’s study assistant, can give a hint before you answer. If you want full-length practice tests and score tracking, Dolphin Web costs $100 a month, $150 every 3 months, or $300 a year. Eligible plans include a score improvement guarantee: starting from 26 or lower, complete Dolphin’s study plan and raise your official ACT score by at least 5 points, or get up to three months of Premium fees back. Dolphin is not affiliated with ACT. Start with Dolphin ACT prep or browse ACT practice by skill.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free ACT prep app?
Yes. Dolphin's iPhone and Android apps are free and cover ACT English, Math, Reading, and Science, with a short video explanation for every question. ACT also offers free official practice tests through its website and MyACT account.
Is the official ACT prep course free?
The Official ACT Self-Paced Course, powered by Kaplan, is free for students who register for the ACT with a fee waiver. Other students pay for it. Ask your school counselor about fee waiver eligibility.
Does Khan Academy have ACT prep?
Khan Academy's free test prep courses are built for the SAT, not the ACT. Its math and grammar lessons can still help with general skills, but use ACT-specific practice for the test format.
What changed on the enhanced ACT?
The enhanced ACT has 131 questions in 125 minutes across English, Math, and Reading. Science is optional and no longer counts toward the composite score, which averages English, Math, and Reading on a 1 to 36 scale.
Sources & review
Product information checked against the sources below on October 17, 2026. Prices, access limits, and plan contents can change. Follow each provider’s current offer before buying.
- Official ACT preparation resourcesACT
- ACT enhancementsACT
- ACT sections and formatUWorld
- About DolphinDolphin
- SAT and ACT prep pricingDolphin
- Score Improvement Guarantee termsDolphin
- Acely pricingAcely
- AlphaTest pricingAlphaTest
- ACT courses and instructionKaplan