How to Prepare for the SAT or ACT
Prepare with Practice Tests, Prep Courses and Private Tutoring
Ask a hundred students how to prepare for the SAT or ACT and you will probably get a hundred different answers.
You can invest endless amounts of time and money preparing to take the SAT or ACT, from online practice tests to private tutoring.
We can’t tell you the single best way for you to prepare for the SAT or ACT, but we can explain three of your choices and how to decide which technique is best for you.
1. Prepare for the SAT or ACT with Practice Tests
If you take a practice SAT or ACT and ace it, you may not need to concentrate on preparation as much as some of your friends.
But even if you think you have the test nailed, you probably should take some sample quizzes online or buy a book or two about the test. If nothing else, it will maintain your confidence and keep your brain in test-taking shape.
2. Prepare for the SAT or ACT with a Prep Class
If you don’t do well on standardized tests, did badly on a practice test or simply are terrified about test day, ACT and SAT prep courses can help.
The classes involve homework and practice tests. They sometimes offer live online lectures. A physical class, however, will better prepare you for the SAT or ACT because it more closely replicates the environment of the real test.
3. Prepare with Individual SAT or ACT Tutoring
If you need more personalized attention to prepare for the SAT or ACT, you can be tutored online or in-person.
Having to answer to a teacher face-to-face can help motivate you to invest the time to prepare for the SAT or ACT. Tutors can tailor your test preparation to your strengths and weaknesses, providing instant feedback and explanations that make sense to you.
Don’t make SAT or ACT test-day even more stressful by arriving unprepared to take the exam. Be honest with yourself about how much you need to prepare for the SAT or ACT before you study in the US. If you realize you need the extra work, do it. You probably will be so happy with your higher SAT or ACT score that you soon will forget the chore of preparing!
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