Prepping for Standardized Tests

The 2020 pandemic upended many industries, including education and the college admissions testing. Because of safety concerns and facility closures, many SAT and ACT testing dates were canceled, making it difficult — even impossible — for many students to take these standardized tests. 

In response, hundreds of colleges and universities temporarily adopted test-optional policies, allowing students to apply without submitting test scores. This shift represented the largest-ever experiment with test-optional admissions in U.S. higher education. 

The sudden change created what many called a “natural experiment” in college admissions. Schools that had long required standardized test scores had to evaluate applications without them, leading to an increased focus on grades, course robustness, extracurricular activities, and essays. Many institutions found they could successfully evaluate potential students without test scores, leading numerous schools to extend their test-optional policies beyond 2021. 

While some schools have made their test-optional policies permanent, others have returned to requiring test scores, creating a mixed landscape in which testing policies vary significantly among colleges and universities. This variation has led to ongoing debates about the value and equity of standardized testing, with some arguing that test-optional policies increase diversity and access and others maintaining that standardized tests provide important data for admissions decisions.

If you’re unsure whether to take the SAT or ACT, many high school guidance counselors and college education consultants recommend you sign up. Here are some tips on increasing your scores — and a timeline for when to take the tests.

SAT/ACT Timeline

Depending on where you live and attend school, you may have the option of taking the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) 8/9 in the fall or spring of 8th grade. Think of it as a practice test for the official PSAT and SAT. The PSAT 8/9 helps you understand your academic strengths and weaknesses and exposes you to the SAT format. You can also take the PSAT 10 in 10th grade. If you wait until sophomore year, you can take practice tests online using free resources like the Khan Academy. 

11th grade

• Fall (September-November): Take your PSAT/NMSQT in October, which will count for National Merit scholarships. Take a full-length practice SAT and ACT under timed conditions and analyze the results to identify your strengths and areas of weakness. Choose the best test for you, and start prepping about 2-3 months before your planned test date. Consider different prep methods like self-study, online courses, tutoring, or classes.
• Winter (December-February): Take your first official SAT or ACT (recommended in January or February). It takes 3-4 weeks to receive your scores. If you hit your goal score, great! If not, plan to address areas where you fell short, and consider different prep strategies if the initial methods weren’t effective.
• Spring (March-May): Take a second SAT or ACT, if needed. Give yourself 6-8 weeks between test dates for focused preparation. Aim to finish your testing by June.

12th grade

The summer before senior year, make time for optional final preparation if you plan to take the SAT or ACT for a third time. If you’re satisfied with your previous scores, use this time to focus on your other application components.

If you plan to retake the SAT or ACT, schedule it for August or October. November test scores will arrive in time for Regular Decision. Testing in December cuts score results close, so use this date as a last resort.

According to the College Board, the average SAT score increases by about 40 points when you take the test a second time. Can you improve by 150, 300, or 500 points? Absolutely. But certain factors will influence how much better you do on a second or third attempt.

Study tips

Whether you’re taking the SAT or ACT for the first or third time, try the following strategies to prepare.

1. Choose high-quality study materials. The College Board partnered with Khan Academy to offer a free online Digital SAT Prep course. You can also download the College Board’s Official SAT Study Guide. And there are plenty of other options online, too. The ACT offers free practice tests and resources alongside its official subject guides. You can also find many ACT study options through ACT x Kaplan.
2. Create (and stick to) a study schedule. Both the SAT and ACT cover many topics. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, create a schedule that breaks everything into smaller, more manageable chunks. This resource offers suggested study schedules for 3-day, 1-week, 1-month, 2-month, and 3-month breakdowns. You can find ACT-specific study schedules here.
3. Take the practice tests. Think about prepping for your standardized tests similarly to how you might train for a marathon. You start with small sprints and gradually build up. You can do the same with the SAT and ACT, but as the test date nears, plan to take complete practice tests (they take 2 ½ - 3 hours) to get a sense of the conditions on the actual day.
4. Optimize your study strategy. You’ve probably got a busy schedule already, so maximize your SAT/ACT study time efficiently by:
   1. Noting questions you’re unsure about as you take the practice test(s).
   2. Grading yourself once you finish and reviewing all the questions you marked — the ones you got right and those you got wrong.
   3. Writing down each question’s general gist, why you answered incorrectly, and how you could’ve gotten the correct answer.
5. Knock down mental blocks. We all get mental blocks — but you can knock ‘em down (and reduce your stress and anxiety) by treating each mistake as a learning opportunity. Each time you “deconstruct” your mistakes to see where you went wrong, you take a step toward improving. 
6. Use a timer. Whether you take a full practice test or just sections, timing yourself will help you determine where you can work quickly and where you get bogged down.
7. Follow the 30-second rule. If you can’t answer a question in 30 questions, skip it and keep going. Make a note and go back to them before the test time ends. Never leave a question blank because the SAT/ACT won’t penalize you for wrong answers. 
8. Think like the test creators. You could say the SAT and ACT are designed to test how well you take tests, so put yourself in the mind of those who design them. 
   1. Learn how to eliminate wrong answers by using your critical thinking skills. 
   2. Create a reading strategy, whether by looking at the questions before you read the passage or skimming the passage, reviewing the questions, and then re-reading the passage more carefully.
   3. Improve your math skills by cutting down on common mistakes people make, like forgetting formulas, misunderstanding the question format (or misreading the questions), or solving for the wrong value.

Test day preparation

The night before your test, take a break and don’t study. Lay out your materials (calculator, pencils, ID, admission ticket, water bottle, snacks) and get plenty of rest. Wake up in good time, wear your comfiest clothing, eat a good breakfast and hydrate. Plan to arrive at the test center at least 15 minutes early.

Remember: You’ve got this!

Want more tips and insights? Check out our full Guide to College Admissions here.