SATs and ACTs

Which test to take? I tell students to take both the SAT and the ACT. Depending upon your particular strengths and weaknesses, you may perform much better on one test than the other. Think about how you felt about taking each test. Did you understand the format? Was one more stressful than the other for you? Once you've figured out a preference you can focus on prepping for that test. When to take? Take the practice predictive tests sophomore year, then the real one junior year. Use the summer between to prep for the tests. Take a class, do an online prep course, use a workbook- whichever method fits well within your budget and learning style. Following this timeline gives you plenty of time to retake the tests and removes some of the stress from the equation. For students who’ve had a semester each of Algebra and Geometry by the end of sophomore year, the summer before junior year and/or the fall of junior year are usually the best times to take. How many times? Many schools take your composite score, so retaking the test can help you provided you feel your score will improve. This can be expensive and stressful, which is why I recommend taking advantage of the predictive tests early and preparing in advance!

Make a calendar and start early. The PSAT can be taken as early as freshman year. Students can start taking the SAT as early as sophomore year. Map out a plan by looking at the College Board's test dates, and then check your academic calendar and extracurricular schedule. Don't take the SAT the same week as your midterms. Next, plot out a week-by-week schedule where you review a lesson on a specific topic each week and do targeted practice in Math, Reading and Writing. Practice, practice, practice. Use real SAT questions to practice your weaker topics. Stage a dress rehearsal and keep taking the SAT. I suggest taking a monthly practice test in realistic, timed conditions on a Saturday morning. Don't take the practice test in a quiet room at home—go to somewhere where there is ambient noise so that you'll practice with distractions. This way, when you go to the real test center, it will seem more familiar. Students raise their scores by an average of only 40 points on the second test. But if you have a very large sample—say, 10 tests —there is a good likelihood that one of those tests will be an outlier—that a particular test will fall on the high end of the test range. The test is an approximation, affected by many factors: whether the students happen to get more questions on topics they handle better, whether they guess better, whether they are more seasoned test takers, whether they got enough sleep and food, and the general testing conditions. Apply only to schools that let you select which SAT scores you report. Under the new policy, some colleges may still require applicants to submit all test-taking attempts. If you take the SAT 15 times (which you shouldn't do), apply just to schools that let you hide your scores. There are many different study methods out there. Start early and choose a plan that works for you and stick with it. Study independently, study with a tutor, study with a test prep class... or mix it up. Just practice the SAT a few times before you take the actual one.

Standardized tests like the SAT and ACT are designed to allow college admissions officers to judge all students by a common measurement. Scores on these tests can compensate for differences in high school curriculum, grade inflation, and quality of teaching. Many students ask me, "Is it a good idea to take both the SAT and ACT at least once?" I'd say, "yes- depending on your particular strengths and weaknesses, you may perform much better on one test than the other." Try taking free practice tests online or through your school. Think about how you felt about taking each test. Did you understand the format? Was one more stressful than the other for you? Many students find they do much better on one than the other- use this to your advantage by taking the tests early (junior year) so you can re-take if necessary.

If you can afford it, do it. Test prep matters. It can help with test strategy development, focus on areas of challenge, and so much more. It is not fair as all kids deserve some kind of test prep. The basic form is test prep books. The most sophisticated are group classes and individual tutoring. Find what you can as test prep can help. In this competitive world, do what you can to maximize your test readiness.

Both SAT and ACT. Take it until you meet the requirements of the university that you are applying to.

Then the best advice I can give is review the concepts for a couple minutes each day leading up to the test. Prep courses also help. Make sure you study Algebra, Geometry, and Arithmetic, relax, and do your best.

The biggest advantage to test prep is improved scores, but no method of preparation is magic. The higher your test scores are the more scholarship offers you are eligible to receive. The con to SAT/ACT prep is the cost. It is very expensive to take a prep course, however there are many sites that offer free testing prep.

Students can do "test runs" of both the SAT and ACT by taking their pre-tests, the PSAT and PLAN. Almost all high schools offer the PSAT for sophomores and increasingly give the option to take the PLAN as well. If you aren't able to take pre-tests at your school, try the practice tests on the SAT and ACT website or check prep books out of the library and try their practice tests. This should give you a good idea of which test feels most comfortable for you and best allows you to demonstrate your knowledge. Many people take the SAT or ACT more than once in the hope that their scores will improve. This seems to be the case if more intensive prep work is done between the first and second tests. After the second test, though, results often become skewed, with scores that were low going up while the scores that were higher taking a drop. There is no "need" to take the test more than once; twice may show some benefit; more than three times isn't recommended. As for the SAT Subject Tests, it's obviously a good idea to take tests in the areas where you excel. It's also a good strategy to take subject tests in May or June in the subjects you're just about to complete (so the information will be fresh in your mind and you'll avoid the possibility of "summer brain drain". If you choose to take a foreign language test, be sure to always take the listening component as well, as colleges typically require it.

Yes! And no. While grades and course selection are paramount, the SAT (and its counterpart the ACT) still plays an important role in the admissions process at colleges nationwide. It provides additional information about a student's abilities to admissions officers. Testing is intended to supplement grades and essentially "level the playing field" for students attending disparate high schools across the country. While there's certainly room for discussion as to whether the SAT succeeds in that goal, it's a fact that it's going to be a part of most students' applications in the end. The vast majority of college bound students take either the SAT or ACT, and that's not going to change any time soon. The "no" part of my answer addresses the current movement of test optional colleges. The list of colleges that no longer require test scores to be submitted grows every year, and there are some surprisingly well-known names on the list. While I do think having the opportunity to opt not to submit test scores can open up opportunities for some students whose grades and test scores don't "match," I'm not convinced that the colleges in question are allowing it for noble reasons. Even if a school is test optional, students with strong test scores will submit those scores anyway to support their application. Those with lower scores will obviously be less likely to include them. While the lower scoring students may still be admitted, the school's published average test scores will increase! This means that a school can appear to be more selective, garner higher rankings, and ultimately discourage lower scoring students from applying at all. And there is no obligation on the school's part to admit any students who choose not to submit their scores. It's a bit of a slippery slope, and I'm not sure it's going to benefit students in the end.

ACT versus SAT? It depends of what type of tester you are. My motto is do many practice tests and take either test a maximum of three times. For the subject tests, a student will need 2-3 depending on where he or she will apply.

As an educator with 18 years’ experience in test prep, I find it promising that you are thinking ahead to the PSAT and SAT!  That’s good news—no matter what approach you take, your effort will be the key to a strong test score.   Official College Board questions should be the foundation of any study plan; I like The Official SAT Study Guide and the online “SAT Question of the Day.” Then, supplement with a strategy guidebook from the library or bookstore.  And if you have the budget, ask around to get recommendations for effective prep classes or private tutoring.

The best preparation for the SAT or the ACT is to take challenging courses over the entirety of your high school experience. During your sophomore year the PSAT, offered by the College Board, or PLAN, offered by the American College Testing Program, can be helpful in pointing out areas of strength and areas which need more work.  When planning to take either test the best preparation should involve taking practice tests. These are available on line or through bookstores. Take the tests, grade them and work on areas where your scores are not as strong as you would like.

We recommend that students take their college entrance exam in April of their junior year. If you decide you want to take the test a second time to improve your score, we have found that the greatest gains have occurred by taking the test again in June when the test experience is still fresh in your mind. The one exception is for students with English language barriers who tend to do better retaking the test later (October of their senior year, ideally). This gives you the benefit of several extra months of speaking, reading and writing in English. 

Before investing in any expensive SAT program, students may want to consider a self-study program first. One on-line program that I recommend is ineedapencil.com. The practice questions offered through this site can provide students with an understanding of what the SAT is testing and which questions require more of their attention. If students try this method first and find that they are unable to commit to a regular practice schedule, then it’s time to find a local class that offers a small class size and individual attention on test-taking tips and content sections where more support is needed.

The SAT has three parts: Critical Reading, Math and Writing.  If you're trying to strengthen the Reading and Writing parts, the best work you can do this summer is to read difficult 19th and very early 20th century British and American literature. You should also be working on vocabulary.  Marks Education's online vocabulary games and quizzes, free for anyone, are the best in the business. Marks Education's free online vocabulary quizzes and games are located here: http://markseducation.com/onlineresources/index.asp. Finally, if you haven't already done so, purchase the College Board's "The Official SAT Study Guide".  This book has 10 actual practice tests that are the closest thing you'll find to the real test.  

The best way to prepare for the SAT is to get some strategic advice, obtain individualized guidance and take practice tests. Many students take test prep courses which are good for learning about the test, the timing, various sections, and how it is graded. Individualized tutoring help can be most effective because the student’s errors are carefully analyzed so that similar mistakes are not made on the actual test. Online practice tests are the most cost effective and in some cases provide excellent guidance.  The E-prep Program is unique in that a video screen appears that explains a student’s mistakes and clarifies the questions. Information and discounted rates are here: http://college-connections.com/online-test-preparation.html