How to Master the SAT and ACT

How to Master the SAT and ACT

Many students can dread standardized testing. The stakes feel high — most higher educational institutions base their admission decisions at least in part on your test scores. But worry not, mastering the SAT and ACT is within reach. 

To achieve your SAT and ACT score goals you will need dedication, time management, and a strategic study plan. For most students, we recommend researching the best test prep courses for a guided path to reaching your ideal score. Keep reading to see additional tips on mastering the SAT and ACT exams. 

What is a "High Score" on the SAT and ACT?

Acing the SAT or ACT means achieving a score over 1400 on the SAT or over a 30 on the ACT.  This score will ensure you look desirable to colleges. However, if you have your sights set on attending an Ivy League university, you'll need to aim for a score of 1550 or higher SAT  or 34 or higher ACT in order to have the best shot at securing an admission. 

How long do you need to study?

This entirely depends on your current score, timeframe and score goals. The level of improvement you desire will affect how long you need to study. 

To improve their SAT score, most people generally need:

• 10 hours for a 0-30 point improvement 
• 20 hours for a 30-70 point improvement 
• 40 hours for a 70-130 point improvement
• 80 hours for a 130-200 point improvement 
• 150+ hours for a 200-330 point improvement 

If you have never taken the SAT, then you'll need to establish your baseline first. Taking a practice test simulating real testing conditions is the best way to do this. This can be scary the first time around but it's best to dive in head-first to get an understanding of where you stand and what your goals should be. 

Knowing how long you need to study for your ACT is the same as the SAT - it all depends on your starting point and your target score. If you haven't taken the ACT, then take an official practice test to determine what your baseline is and how much you need to improve to achieve your goals. 

For the ACT, you will probably need:

• 10 hours for a 0-1 point improvement
• 20 hours for a 1-2 point improvement
• 40 hours for a 2-4 point improvement 
• 80 hours for a 4-6 point improvement 
• 150+ hours for a 6-9 point improvement 

Best ways to study?

The best way to study is to spend time identifying the strategies and learning environments that work best for you. Our recommended test prep courses offer courses for various styles of learning, including online sessions, one-on-one tutoring, in-person small group sessions, video assignments, study questions, flashcards and much more. Your study tools may also depend your budget and time, and fortunately there are multiple price points to accommodate your schedule and budget. 

In order to succeed, you will need to identify your current score, your target score, and identify which mediums of instruction work best for you.  This will give you a clear picture of where you currently stand and how far you are from the goalpost. Putting in pure study time alone is not enough to get you to your goals. You need to make the most out of the time you have by figuring out your areas of weaknesses and strategically engaging your resources to strengthen these areas. 

Online test prep platforms are extremely popular with students due to their flexibility and affordability. They also offer their users point improvement guarantees - ensuring you success or your money back!

Test-taking tips

Both the SAT and ACT are timed tests — so time management is key if you want to succeed. It's crucial that you complete practice tests under these exact conditions so you can assess your time management skills and put strategies in place to help tackle any issues. Test prep courses will help you identify the best test-taking strategies for your needs. 

One good tip is to read through all the questions before you begin answering them. That way, you can figure out if you have weak areas you need to spend more time on.  Some learners prefer getting the harder questions out of the way first, then leave the easier questions until the end so they don't feel rushed. Others prefer to get the easier ones over and done with, so they have time to dedicate to the trickier questions. 

With multiple choice tests, remember: there is only one correct answer. If you are struggling to figure this out, then perhaps focus on which options are incorrect, and figure out your answer by a process of elimination. You don't get penalized for a wrong answer, so if you don't know it, then make an educated guess.

With both exams, make sure you are neat. Since a machine scores your test, you’ll need to make sure you don't have any stray marks on your answer sheet. You're allowed to use your test book to write in, so use this to cross out answers you know are wrong and then use the official score sheet for your answer. 

Conclusion

Mastering the SAT and ACT requires time, dedicated work and strategy. By first establishing a baseline, you'll get a better understanding of your starting strengths, weaknesses and score goals. The next step is to find a test prep course that aligns with your schedule, budget and preferred style of instruction to set yourself up for success. With the right tools in your toolkit, you'll be on your way to meeting and even exceeding your score goals.