High SAT or ACT scores can improve your student’s ability to get into their target university. It’s also true that basic academic performance is an integral part of any college application and can support higher SAT or ACT scores. We offer both test prep and academic tutoring at Total College Prep.
College-bound students should ideally aim to take either the SAT or ACT for the first time by the fall of their junior year, and no later than the spring of their junior year. By this point, most students have completed the courses that contribute to SAT and ACT success, like Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and high school English. By taking the test before senior year, students will have time to study and retake the test to aim for a higher score if needed.
We recommend that students begin SAT and ACT prep roughly three months before their exam date.
What matters most to college admissions boards? This question has been up for debate for decades, but most colleges still consider standardized test scores and academic grades equally.
If your student already earns high grades in school, particularly in AP classes, they may benefit more from familiarizing themselves with the SAT/ACT framework through focused test prep. If your student’s GPA is falling below their target level, consider adding academic tutoring to improve grades and feel more at ease with course materials.
The SAT is broken into the following sections:
- Reading
- Writing and language
- Math
The ACT is broken into the following sections:
- English
- Math
- Reading
- Science (Although this will be changing in the near future.)
SAT and ACT preparation will typically spend equal amounts of time on each section of the respective test. Many students, including strong academic performers, benefit from this thorough approach.
Many high school courses take a building-block approach, meaning that ninth-grade English comprehension is integral to tenth-grade English success, and so forth. We recommend that students enroll in academic tutoring as soon as they start to fall behind in a subject.
At Total College Prep, we offer a wide variety of tutoring and test prep services in Dallas, Frisco, and surrounding areas. Contact us to discuss your student’s needs and find the right tutoring approach.