ACT / SAT Preparation
Learn How to Properly Prepare for Your College Entrance Exams
ACT vs. SAT
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What’s our best tip for mastering this standardized test season? Start early! In fact, we recommend starting your test prep the summer between sophomore and junior year. Most students will then go on to take the SAT or ACT (or both!) once during their junior year and once during the fall of their senior year. So, which one should you take?
The decision of which one to take may be determined simply by whatever admission criteria is laid out by your school of choice. However, if the school doesn't specify which test it wants, making the "best" choice can be about your preference for test-taking.
Although there is no hard science that proves that the ACT or SAT is easier, you probably want to determine which test format is better suited to your strengths. Each test has a different structure and different emphases, and familiarity with their individual structures may help you sort out which is better suited to you.
Take a look at the following comparison of the ACT and SAT to help you decide.
The decision of which one to take may be determined simply by whatever admission criteria is laid out by your school of choice. However, if the school doesn't specify which test it wants, making the "best" choice can be about your preference for test-taking.
Although there is no hard science that proves that the ACT or SAT is easier, you probably want to determine which test format is better suited to your strengths. Each test has a different structure and different emphases, and familiarity with their individual structures may help you sort out which is better suited to you.
Take a look at the following comparison of the ACT and SAT to help you decide.
ACT
SAT
Test Preparation
The ACT
Created by ACT Inc., the ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The idea (in theory, at least) is to provide colleges with one common criterion that can be used to compare all applicants. The weight placed on ACT scores varies from school to school. Other important factors that schools consider in their admissions decisions are your high school GPA, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, interviews and personal essays.
The ACT sports 4 trademark multiple-choice subject tests covering English, Math, Reading, and Science. These are designed to evaluate test-takers' overall educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. Students will have 2 hours and 55 minutes of dedicated test time to complete the subject tests, not including breaks.
As far as scoring goes, subject test scores are determined after throwing out any incorrect answers — only correct responses count! The 4 areas are then averaged together to come up with the overall, or composite, score. You'll earn one ACT score (1 to 36) on each test (English, Math, Reading and Science) and a composite ACT score, which is an average of these four tests. Usually, when people ask about your score, they're referring to your composite ACT score. The composite score falls between 1 and 36. The national average is about 21. If, for example, you scored 31 on the English, 30 on the Math, 29 on the Reading and 30 on the Science, your composite ACT score would be 30. You'll receive subscores in English, Math and Reading that range between 1 and 18. These scores provide you with more detail about your performance, but they are not actually used by colleges or universities.
The ACT also includes an optional 30-minute writing test designed to measure the student's skill in planning and writing a short essay. This segment is your chance to highlight your writing skills! If you opt to take it, the additional scores will be reported, along with comments about your essay. These scores are reported separately.
So, if writing is a weak area, you might want to take the ACT and skip the writing section, since it's currently optional (although some schools will require it, which is another element to keep in mind). If writing is your strength, having extra kudos passed on to your choice schools may benefit you.
See the side links for free ACT practice tests to get an idea of what you're in store for.
The SAT
Created by the College Board, the SAT is also an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. However, like the ACT, it is just one factor in the admissions decision.
The SAT is designed to evaluate your general thinking and problem-solving abilities, as opposed to overall educational development like the ACT tests. The SAT consists of two sections (really three): Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math. The SAT differs from the ACT in terms of the amount of time takers have to complete it (3 hours) and the format in which takers must provide their answers. Each section of the SAT is scored on a 200 to 800 point scale, making the "perfect" score 1600.
Similar to the ACT, the SAT has multiple-choice areas, but it also has a part in the Math section where test-takers will be required to produce their answers — no chance of guessing from a set of choices here! And like the ACT, the SAT does not reduce scores for incorrect answers.
When considering which test to take, keep in mind that both tests allot ample time for completion, but the SAT has fewer questions — 154 questions on the SAT compared to the 215 on the ACT. The SAT also focuses heavily on vocabulary, while the ACT hones in on grammar and punctuation.
SAT registration deadlines fall approximately five weeks before each test date. Register online on the College Board website. You can also register by mail by filling out the registration form in the College Board's The Student Registration Guide for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests. You can get a free copy of this publication from your school counselor. Or you can call ETS at 609-771-7600, and they'll send you one free of charge.
See the side links for free SAT practice tests to get an idea of what you're in store for.
Created by the College Board, the SAT is also an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. However, like the ACT, it is just one factor in the admissions decision.
The SAT is designed to evaluate your general thinking and problem-solving abilities, as opposed to overall educational development like the ACT tests. The SAT consists of two sections (really three): Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math. The SAT differs from the ACT in terms of the amount of time takers have to complete it (3 hours) and the format in which takers must provide their answers. Each section of the SAT is scored on a 200 to 800 point scale, making the "perfect" score 1600.
Similar to the ACT, the SAT has multiple-choice areas, but it also has a part in the Math section where test-takers will be required to produce their answers — no chance of guessing from a set of choices here! And like the ACT, the SAT does not reduce scores for incorrect answers.
When considering which test to take, keep in mind that both tests allot ample time for completion, but the SAT has fewer questions — 154 questions on the SAT compared to the 215 on the ACT. The SAT also focuses heavily on vocabulary, while the ACT hones in on grammar and punctuation.
SAT registration deadlines fall approximately five weeks before each test date. Register online on the College Board website. You can also register by mail by filling out the registration form in the College Board's The Student Registration Guide for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests. You can get a free copy of this publication from your school counselor. Or you can call ETS at 609-771-7600, and they'll send you one free of charge.
See the side links for free SAT practice tests to get an idea of what you're in store for.
7 Ways to Prepare for the ACT and/or SAT
We're going to order this list from the least to the most effective.
1 Search Out Help at School (Usually Free)
ACT Practice Test 1
High school teachers and administrators know that SAT prep can be difficult and expensive, so most high schools offer a variety of free SAT prep resources to their students. Give the principal a call or have your child pay a visit to the school counselor and find out what your high school has to offer.
Some schools offer free SAT practice tests or study groups, and some school libraries even have SAT prep books available for checkout. Odds are your school offers at least one of these fantastic resources.
And if not, you can also start your own study group with other like-minded students at the school!
High school teachers and administrators know that SAT prep can be difficult and expensive, so most high schools offer a variety of free SAT prep resources to their students. Give the principal a call or have your child pay a visit to the school counselor and find out what your high school has to offer.
Some schools offer free SAT practice tests or study groups, and some school libraries even have SAT prep books available for checkout. Odds are your school offers at least one of these fantastic resources.
And if not, you can also start your own study group with other like-minded students at the school!
ACT Practice Test 2
ACT Practice Test 3
ACT Practice Test 4
2 Download Smart Phone Apps
SAT Practice Test 1
If you're in possession of a smart phone, there are several SAT prep apps – free and paid – available in the app store.
Some great apps include:
- SAT Up
- SATFlash – New SAT Prep, Practice, Vocabulary
- and Daily Practice SAT.
If your child is struggling with one particular section of the SAT, there are plenty of other great apps out there geared towards specific subjects.
If you're in possession of a smart phone, there are several SAT prep apps – free and paid – available in the app store.
Some great apps include:
- SAT Up
- SATFlash – New SAT Prep, Practice, Vocabulary
- and Daily Practice SAT.
If your child is struggling with one particular section of the SAT, there are plenty of other great apps out there geared towards specific subjects.
SAT Practice Test 2
SAT Practice Test 3
SAT Practice Test 4
SAT Practice Test 5
SAT Practice Test 6
3 Take Online Practice Tests
In the right side bar of this page, you will find downloadable practice tests. Taking practice tests is a perfect way to get an idea of what you are in store for on the actual test.
While taking each test, be sure to follow the timing guidelines for each section of the test. Try to set your environment similar to the one that you will actually be testing in.
HAPPY TESTING!
In the right side bar of this page, you will find downloadable practice tests. Taking practice tests is a perfect way to get an idea of what you are in store for on the actual test.
While taking each test, be sure to follow the timing guidelines for each section of the test. Try to set your environment similar to the one that you will actually be testing in.
HAPPY TESTING!
SAT Practice Test 7
SAT Practice Test 8
4 Get Prep Books & Study Independently
There are plenty of ACT & SAT prep books to choose from, including Princeton Review, College Board, Barron’s, Kaplan, and others.
You may gravitate to one book or another based on how it is structured, so do a quick investigation.
And it never hurts to get more than one. Sometimes one book does a better job than others in certain sections, and vice versa.
True enough, these books can be very bulky and a real task to carry around, however, their effectiveness cannot be understated.
There are plenty of ACT & SAT prep books to choose from, including Princeton Review, College Board, Barron’s, Kaplan, and others.
You may gravitate to one book or another based on how it is structured, so do a quick investigation.
And it never hurts to get more than one. Sometimes one book does a better job than others in certain sections, and vice versa.
True enough, these books can be very bulky and a real task to carry around, however, their effectiveness cannot be understated.
5 Find free ACT & SAT prep materials online
If test preparation books are a little out of your budget, don't fret. There are a lot of free resources to be found online.
While this method is much less expensive, it can also be very time consuming. Free online resources tend not to be as comprehensive as prep books. So, it may takes more time to accumulate the information that you're searching for. You should also know that such resources may also be outdated once you do find them.
However, there are some very good and reputable sources out there in "Internet Land" that can yield great results if you're willing to put in the time and effort.
If test preparation books are a little out of your budget, don't fret. There are a lot of free resources to be found online.
While this method is much less expensive, it can also be very time consuming. Free online resources tend not to be as comprehensive as prep books. So, it may takes more time to accumulate the information that you're searching for. You should also know that such resources may also be outdated once you do find them.
However, there are some very good and reputable sources out there in "Internet Land" that can yield great results if you're willing to put in the time and effort.
6 Enroll In a Paid ACT and/or SAT Course
Taking an ACT and/or SAT prep course really is one of the best ways that you can get a handle on the material and learn how to strategize when taking the test.
Why? Things are broken down for you. Things are organized in a clear way to give you a plan of attack. You can also get immediate answers to any questions you may have.
Also, most ACT/SAT prep courses have guarantees or your money back, so you definitely won’t have to worry about wasting money, should you find that this strategy doesn’t really work for you.
It truly is a good investment all the way around.
Taking an ACT and/or SAT prep course really is one of the best ways that you can get a handle on the material and learn how to strategize when taking the test.
Why? Things are broken down for you. Things are organized in a clear way to give you a plan of attack. You can also get immediate answers to any questions you may have.
Also, most ACT/SAT prep courses have guarantees or your money back, so you definitely won’t have to worry about wasting money, should you find that this strategy doesn’t really work for you.
It truly is a good investment all the way around.
7 Get a Private Tutor
Please understand that all of the above methods are great. But if you want to take your ACT/SAT preparation one step further, then you should definitely consider hiring a private tutor.
One-on-one tutors will basically teach all the same things you would learn in an ACT and/or SAT prep course (how to strategize, how to get the most out of the testing period, how to tackle the important skills, etc.).
But if you fail to understand something in class or miss something that the instructor said, the instructor may not have time to help you individually- no matter how much they want to. And let's face it, there's is nothing like having the full attention of someone who is dedicated to making sure you succeed. Kind of adds a whole new level of confidence, doesn't it?
While there are many tutors out there, here is one of the more reputable learning institutes that offer tutorials with an almost 100% success rate:
Interfaith Academy
. Simply
click here
or click on the picture to the right to check out what they have to offer.
Please understand that all of the above methods are great. But if you want to take your ACT/SAT preparation one step further, then you should definitely consider hiring a private tutor.
One-on-one tutors will basically teach all the same things you would learn in an ACT and/or SAT prep course (how to strategize, how to get the most out of the testing period, how to tackle the important skills, etc.).
But if you fail to understand something in class or miss something that the instructor said, the instructor may not have time to help you individually- no matter how much they want to. And let's face it, there's is nothing like having the full attention of someone who is dedicated to making sure you succeed. Kind of adds a whole new level of confidence, doesn't it?
While there are many tutors out there, here is one of the more reputable learning institutes that offer tutorials with an almost 100% success rate:
Interfaith Academy
. Simply
click here
or click on the picture to the right to check out what they have to offer.
