Updated: Thursday, October 24, 2024
February 10 will be here before we know it — the first ACT test date for 2024. And for U.S. students, the digital SAT makes its debut on March 9. At IvyWise, we advise students to start preparing for these tests early and to take multiple, timed practice tests in the weeks leading up to the actual testing date.
ACT and SAT scores are a critical factor in college admissions. Even if you’re applying to a test-optional school, good test scores can only help your chances for admission. And while test scores alone are not the deciding factor in admissions, they do play a role in the overall evaluation of your college application.
If you’re unsure which test is right for you, learn the basics of both the ACT and SAT, and take a practice test for each under realistic conditions. The results of these practice tests should give you an idea of which test is a better fit for you. Students who know which test they’re taking and need help with test prep can find good practice resources and tips for the ACT and SAT.
Taking the SAT? College Board’s Digital SAT Practice and Preparation section is a good first stop for free practice tests and more. If you’re planning to take the ACT, you can find free test prep resources, including a downloadable test guide, practice questions for each subject test, and an official online practice test. Since these tests are timed, strategy and overall test-taking efficiency is important. Practice tests are a good way to get a sense of the pacing so you can manage your time wisely.
In the days leading up to the test, keep your brain exercised with daily practice questions. If you prepped well in the weeks leading up to the test, you shouldn’t need to cram the week of. Stay sharp with practice questions, but don’t exhaust your brain before the big day.
The week of the ACT or SAT can be nerve-racking. To help alleviate some of your anxiety, plan ahead for test day. Make sure you know what to bring and what not to bring to the testing location, and pack what you need the night before.
You can find plenty of other test prep resources out there, but these resources are a good place to start for official tips and practice questions straight from the people who make the tests.
For a real, in-depth test-taking plan and schedule, it can be helpful to work with a professional tutor to determine what you need to be doing to prepare in the weeks or months before the test. IvyWise tutors have a demonstrated record of helping students exceed their standardized testing goals. Contact us today to learn how we can help you have a successful testing experience.
Learn What Kind of Accommodations Are Available for the SAT & ACT
The SAT and ACT can feel overwhelming for any test taker, but for students with learning differences or disabilities there can be an additional piece to the testing puzzle: obtaining appropriate accommodations in order to have the best chance of reaching their goal score on test day.
Want to see how your scores on the SAT compare to ACT? The College Board provides concordance tables so students and educators can see how SAT total scores compare to composite ACT scores. You can also use the SAT score conversion chart below if you’ve completed both tests and want to determine which score is better to submit to colleges. These tables can help you gain some insight as you compare your scores to the average student who is admitted to each school on your balanced college list.
An Expert Tutor Breaks Down 4 ACT and SAT Tips That Many Students Overlook
By Richard, IvyWise Master Tutor
The college prep process can often be complicated, and the complexities of this journey can make it easy to overlook a few key tips that have a great record of helping students raise their ACT and SAT scores and pave the way toward long-term success.
Here are the Colleges that Superscore the ACT
Superscoring is the practice of considering only the highest section scores across all SAT or ACT test scores that are submitted when evaluating applications. Many schools already superscore for the SAT, but superscoring for the ACT has not always been widely practiced.
