How to Prepare for the SAT or ACT Exam

The score you receive on your SAT or ACT exam is an important part of your admissions application to college. Admissions counselors review your score along with your personal statement, grades in high school, recommendations, and community service when deciding whether to accept you as a college freshman. Students typically take the SAT, ACT, or both college preparatory exams at the beginning of their junior and senior years of high school.

Take a Preparation Course Online

Understanding the format of the SAT or ACT and the types of questions you will encounter is critical for a successful result later. You can find many test prep options online that allow you to go at your own pace and according to your own schedule. The benefit of taking this approach is that you can repeat lessons or skip ahead once you feel you have mastered a certain subject area.

Consider Taking a Practice Exam

Many online resources such as the Princeton Review offer free practice SAT or ACT exams for high school students. You should plan to take the practice exam in a quiet environment without access to technology or other resources. Be sure that you select a full-length exam rather than a shorter version to give yourself a realistic sense of the actual test you will take later.

You will receive a baseline score after submitting your practice exam electronically. Use this score to determine any areas of weakness and then create a study plan to strengthen your skills in those areas. Of course, you should continue to study all subject matters found on the typical ACT or SAT exam.

Prepare for the SAT or ACT Exam in the Summer

The school year is a busy time with homework, extra-curricular activities, and a part-time job to juggle, which means that finding time to study for the ACT or SAT exam can be challenging. Many students have found a way around this dilemma by devoting time over summer vacation to study for their upcoming college preparatory exam. Even if you work, the pace is more laid-back without other things competing for your time. You might be surprised at what a difference that studying just one hour a day can make with your final score.

Ask Your Parents to Hire a Tutor to Help You Study

Sometimes you need a more interactive, one-on-one approach to test preparation than you can find with taking a course on your own. Working with a tutor provides you with that experience. The tutor offers you immediate feedback as you submit work and then coaches you on how to improve your score when you take the test again. Another advantage of working one-on-one with tutors is that they can adjust their teaching style to each student’s learning style.

SAT and ACT Exam Preparation Available through Accolade Financial

Accolade Financial partners with several SAT and ACT exam preparation centers to offer one-on-one tutoring to our clients. We invite you or your parents to contact our office to learn how to take advantage of this opportunity.