Join IvyWise college admissions and test prep experts to learn about the current standardized testing landscape. They will cover topics including:
For many high school students, spring semester means standardized testing season. Like it or not, these tests are a factor for college admissions at most schools — even if they’re test optional. While a perfect score alone won’t get you into your dream college, it is important to do well on these tests to have the greatest chance of admission.
IvyWise offers comprehensive tutoring and test prep for college-bound students. Here are a few tips for standardized testing for students to implement before, during, and after their spring testing date.
Many colleges have returned to requiring standardized test scores after being test-optional during the pandemic. Since they were test-optional for a few years, this may leave you wondering why SAT and ACT scores still matter. Because curriculum and course rigor can vary widely across high schools, admissions committees look at standardized test scores to determine your college readiness. The SAT and ACT offer a standardized way of measuring students’ academic abilities and potential for success in college.
Both tests measure similar knowledge and skills that are required for college-level study:
The SAT assesses your readiness for college by evaluating your skills in three core areas:
Starting in April 2025, the ACT will measure students’ abilities in three main and two optional sections:
The SAT and ACT are very different, and it’s important to take the exam that best fits you in terms of format and timing — it’s worth noting that admissions committees do not prefer one test over another.
Taking the PSAT will give you a preview of the SAT, since the content is similar. However, we still recommend taking a full-length diagnostic test for both the SAT and ACT, so you can determine which test you’re more comfortable with before starting your test prep.
TIP: Complete your diagnostic tests before junior year, especially if you’ll also be doing AP exam prep. That way, you’ll know early enough which test to focus on and will have more time to prepare. Our test prep checklist for sophomores and juniors will help keep you on track.
Preparation for standardized testing is critical. After all, we wouldn’t expect a student to sit for any other test without studying beforehand, would we? Students can increase scores dramatically on both the ACT and SAT with dedicated preparation. Therefore, it’s crucial for parents and students to know how to prepare for standardized tests and where to find good resources.
Some of the best test prep guides and resources come straight from those who develop the actual exams. College Board’s Digital SAT Practice and Preparation offers practice tests and other resources to get you ready for test day. Free ACT Test Prep is a good go-to for practice tests, practice subject test questions, and ACT testing tips.
TIP: Follow both the College Board and ACT on social media for tips and practice questions. And for on-the-go test prep, check out Magoosh. You can also install the ACT app and the SAT app on your Android or Apple devices.
When it comes to standardized tests, practice makes (almost) perfect. Taking multiple practice tests under timed conditions will help you become accustomed to the time restraints and practice your reading and question-answering strategies. Practice tests can also help you identify gaps in your content knowledge so you know what sections to spend more time preparing for.
TIP: At IvyWise, we recommend our students take at least four practice tests before sitting for the actual exam.
Cramming typically results in superficial learning, where information is quickly forgotten after the test. Instead, consistent and spaced-out study sessions allow for deeper understanding and better retention of material. This approach not only helps you feel more confident and prepared but also promotes long-term knowledge retention, which is beneficial beyond the test itself.
Additionally, cramming can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and reduced cognitive function during the test. By planning and studying in advance, you can manage test anxiety and approach the exam with a clearer mind and a more solid grasp of the content.
Knowing how to take standardized tests can be just as important as mastering the content within the exam. Learning and implementing standardized test taking strategies can help you answer questions better and utilize your time efficiently.
One of the most effective strategies is the process of elimination. Many times, students will come across a question for which they do not know the answer right away. Instead of looking for the right answer, the key is to look for the wrong answers and consider the probability of getting an answer right once options are eliminated. There is no penalty for guessing on either test, so you have nothing to lose!
Students need to know the format of the test as much as the content, so it’s important to be familiar with the sections and how they might progress. For example, the digital SAT has two sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. Each section is divided into two modules. Your performance on the first module will determine the difficulty level of the questions on the second module.
As of April 2025, the ACT contains three subject tests: English, Math, and Reading. The Writing and Science sections are optional and do not impact your composite score. Unlike the SAT, the ACT is not adaptive — the difficulty of the questions will not adjust to your performance.
TIP: For the Reading section of the SAT or ACT, work backwards. What does that mean? It means reading the questions first, then reading only the parts of the passage related to the questions.
Keep an eye on the clock and allocate your time wisely. Hopefully, you learned pacing strategies as part of your test prep, so you know how much time you have to spend on each question. If you get stuck on a question and can’t determine the answer through the process of elimination, move on and come back to it later if time permits. This ensures you can get through all the questions on the test before time runs out.
It’s natural to feel nervous but the key is to manage it so it doesn’t interfere with your performance. Take deep breaths if you start to feel overwhelmed. Focus on the present moment rather than worrying about the outcome. If you find your mind wandering, gently bring your attention back to the task at hand.
Congratulations! Standardized tests like the ACT and SAT are mentally exhausting. Allow yourself time to relax so you can recharge for the school week ahead. Waiting for scores can be stressful — don’t let your focus on schoolwork slip in the meantime!
Once your score report comes in, you can assess whether your scores are where you want them to be and develop an action plan to take the test again if they’re not within your goal score range. Most students increase their scores the second time they sit for the test, so don’t get discouraged!
If you didn’t achieve your goal score on your first testing date, don’t despair. Your score report will tell you which areas you need to work on — focus on these areas as you prepare for the next testing date. Designate a specific study time and stick to it. Make use of test prep resources and practice tests to work on the areas that need improvement.
If you feel like you’re not making progress, a test prep tutor can prove to be invaluable for helping you achieve your goal score. A tutor can make your test prep much more efficient and effective, which will save you time, alleviate some of your stress, and boost your confidence.
It’s also worth remembering that many colleges superscore the ACT and SAT, taking the strongest scores from each section across all your test sittings to create a new composite score. So, if you score better in the math section on the first setting but your reading and writing score is better on the second sitting, both will count!
Performing well on standardized tests takes work, but a tutor can help you stay on track. At IvyWise, our test prep tutors have vast experience with standardized tests and have helped countless students improve their test-taking skills and achieve their goal scores. If you need expert test prep help, contact the IvyWise team.
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.
International students preparing to apply to U.S. universities have a lot to consider, from the holistic admissions process to visa requirements and tuition costs. But what about standardized tests? Many students overseas recognize the importance of college entrance exams, specifically the SAT. However, this isn’t the only test that international students need to consider when applying to U.S. universities.
Starting Early and Working Smart Can Help International Students Get Ahead on Standardized Tests
By Richard, IvyWise Master Tutor
When it comes to getting a great score on the ACT or SAT, the process of preparing and studying for the exam can seem quite complicated, especially if students are applying from abroad and aren’t familiar with the test. Instead of stressing out, know it can be done—as long as students learn about the exam and create a testing strategy.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought on numerous changes within the standardized testing industry, including the introduction of a new, entirely digital testing format and many colleges shifting to a test-optional admissions process for the 2020-21 admissions cycle.
Fast forward a few years. More than 1,900 colleges and universities in the U.S. extended their test-optional policies through the 2023-24 application cycle, with some making the move to test-optional even longer or permanent. Other schools have since reinstated their standardized testing requirements.
Curious about the testing policies of the schools on your best-fit list? Check out our recently updated list below.
