O’Bryan P.

High School: Holy Ghost Prep, Philadelphia, PA.

College: Villanova, Class of 2030

ACT Starting Score: 22

Final Score: 30 (33M 29E 27R 27S)

January 10th 2026: O’Bryan and Josh sit down to discuss his recent experience of preparing for the ACT with Vertical Prep.

Josh: O'Bryan, congrats on your success! What was your starting score on that first diagnostic back before our class started?

O'Bryan: Thank you! I got either a 22 or 23.

Josh: Yeah, I checked my notes before we hopped on and had a 22 written down. That means you went up eight points to a final 30 cumulative? That’s a huge jump!

O'Bryan: Yes! I got a 33 in math which was huge, and on that last test my reading and English were up to a 29.

Josh: So how long in total did you spend preparing for the test from before our class began to now?

O'Bryan: About 15 months overall. I started preparing with you around late August or early September of junior year. My scores really started improving during the summer of 2025 when I didn't have school or heavy classes like AP Bio taking up my time. ACT prep was the only thing I had to focus on. By the end of the year, I was able to get my English and reading up a lot.

Josh: And how many times did you end up taking the official test?

O'Bryan: Six times total.

Josh: Were you ever nervous that you'd hit a plateau along the way?

O'Bryan: Not really, because there’s always room for improvement. I looked at the ACT diagnostics online to see what categories I was missing, worked on those specific areas, and watched my score rise.

Josh: What were some of the main takeaways from our class that helped most?

O'Bryan: Definitely the grammar rules. In high school, teachers kind of assume you already know where to place commas or how to split independent clauses. Refreshing all of that made a huge difference.

Josh: How did your mindset change between your first test and your last one?

O'Bryan: On the first one, I was pretty nervous because it was real and it counted. But by the last test, I already had a 33 in math, so I didn't have to stress. I could just strategically target reading and English to boost my superscore.

Josh: Out of the whole test, what felt like the hardest part?

O'Bryan: Those last 10 math questions are tough, and then just pushing through science at the very end when your brain power is completely drained.

Josh: Now that you’re on the other side of it, what do you think this score says about you as a student?

O'Bryan: I think it shows that I’m determined and that I'm a good student. I didn't just stop or settle. It proved to me that when I put in the actual work, I can perform.

Josh: What do you think kept that drive alive in you to keep going back for six tests?

O'Bryan: A few things. First, looking up the average scores for my target colleges early on was a real eye-opener because I saw they wanted 30s. Second was just being competitive. Hearing what other classmates were getting made me realize, "Okay, I know I can put in the work and reach that level too."

Josh: What advice would you give to someone who feels like they’ve hit a plateau?

O'Bryan: Dig into your diagnostics. That shows you where to actually spend your time instead of just working on things you’re already good at. I even used AI to search up extra practice test PDFs and workbooks online.

Josh: What would you say to a sophomore or junior who is just starting out?

O'Bryan: Practice a bit at first, but plan to take the official test early on. You don't want to go in completely blind, but taking the real thing makes it official and gets you used to the environment.

Josh: How did you like studying in our group class versus prepping on your own over the summer?

O'Bryan: The class setting is great because learning with peers brings out that healthy competition. But prepping individually over the summer worked well for me personally because it was tailored right to what I needed.

Josh: How has this whole journey changed how you approach big challenges in general?

O'Bryan: Just to persist. That’s the main takeaway. You just have to keep preparing, keep chipping away, and don't give up on what you're working toward.

Josh: How are college apps coming along?

O'Bryan: I’ve submitted 19 out of 20! My top three right now are Penn, Villanova, and St. Joe’s—and I actually already got accepted to St. Joe’s! Honestly, I’m ready for the next chapter.

Josh: College is such an incredible time to try new things and make lifelong friends. You’re going to do great!

O'Bryan: Thanks, Mr. Josh! I know high school accomplishments don't matter as much once you get to campus, but I'm really glad I pushed myself to get it done.