Improving Your Vocabulary for the SAT and ACT

A strong vocabulary lays the groundwork for excellent reading comprehension skills, which are essential for boosting your standardized test scores. Building a solid vocabulary is a gradual process, so it’s best to start as early as possible.

Read, Read, Read

In my experience, the best way to enhance your vocabulary is through reading rather than by memorizing long lists of words and definitions. Learning vocabulary in context helps you understand a word’s nuances and makes it easier to recall.

What Should You Read?

Choose reading materials that interest you but also challenge your current reading level. For fiction, consider reading classic literature by authors like Charles Dickens, Edith Wharton, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Jane Austen, or Ernest Hemingway.

For non-fiction, quality periodicals such as The New York Times, Time Magazine, or The Atlantic offer excellent opportunities to strengthen your vocabulary.

How to Memorize Vocabulary

While reading, make it a habit to...

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Grammar and the SAT/ACT

Did you know that mastering a handful of grammar rules can significantly impact your SAT or
ACT score? Many students struggle with these concepts, and schools aren’t preparing them
with everything they need for standardized testing. But here’s the good news: grammar is one of
the easiest and quickest areas for students to improve with practice and the right strategies!

I recommend learning all the grammar rules that may be tested and studying them on a
nearly-daily basis until everything is memorized (then transitioning to a weekly review to keep
things fresh). Practicing with real, official tests is also key.

Grammar Topics to Memorize:

Commas
Semicolons
Colons
Dashes
Apostrophes
Subject-verb agreement
Verb tense
Pronouns
Modifiers
Parallel structure
Prepositions
Transitions

Grammar knowledge is tested as part of the SAT Reading & Writing section and the ACT
English section. With proper preparation, this is typically the easiest section to improve on very
quickly. The key is...

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How to Choose the Right SAT or ACT Tutor

Experience Matters

Is your potential tutor committed full-time, or is this a side job? Many large test prep companies hire tutors with little to no experience, provide them with a script, and send them off after minimal training. A tutor with years of experience brings invaluable insights, tailored strategies, and refined teaching methods.

Specialization Counts

Is your tutor a dedicated SAT/ACT specialist, or do they simply tack on these tests to general math or English tutoring? Specialists in SAT and ACT preparation often achieve better results because they understand the unique demands of these tests—such as pacing, question types, and strategic approaches. Look for someone whose expertise is focused specifically on these exams.

Big vs Small Companies

While large test prep companies may seem appealing, keep in mind that a significant portion of their fee goes to the company itself, not the tutor—often only 20-30% goes to the instructor. This can lead talented tutors...

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Test Prep Plans for the Class of 2026

The landscape of standardized testing is shifting. The SAT has transitioned to a shorter, digital format, and the ACT will follow suit with a shorter version starting in April 2025, while still offering its current format through July 2025. So, what should the Class of 2026 do?

I recommend choosing between the SAT and the current ACT. The best way to decide is by taking practice tests for both (or using our shorter diagnostic test https://www.lockwoodtestprep.com/offers/7NFJFa3b/checkout) and comparing scores. If you score similarly on both, I suggest choosing the ACT due to the limited SAT practice materials.

The ACT’s new format will debut in April 2025 as a digital test, and by September 2025, it will replace the current version entirely (the shorter version will be available in both paper and digital formats). If you're considering retaking the ACT as a senior, aim to complete testing by July 2025 to avoid transitioning to the new version.

Why not wait for the shorter ACT?...

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Some Students Are Making a Mistake in Choosing the SAT

As summer ends, many students are beginning their standardized test preparation, choosing between the SAT and ACT. Since the SAT went digital, I've noticed a surge in students opting for it—many without even taking diagnostic tests. This is a significant mistake for many.

Diagnostic Testing Matters

Choosing the right test is crucial for successful preparation. While the SAT and ACT share similarities, students often perform better on one due to differences in format, pacing, and content.

Diagnostic Testing is Quick and Valuable

Investing a few hours in diagnostic testing (less than 3 hours for a combo test or about 5 hours for separate full-length tests) can provide essential insights into which test suits you best.

Choosing the Wrong Test is Costly

This year, I've seen a record number of students switch from the SAT to the ACT after realizing the SAT wasn’t right for them. Starting with the wrong test wastes time, money, and effort.

The ACT's Advantage

Currently, the...

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The New Digital ACT: What You Need to Know

The ACT has announced significant changes to its testing format, offering students the option to take the exam digitally. This shift will eventually make the test permanently shorter and slower-paced. Here are the key highlights of these changes:

Upcoming Changes:

  • April 2025: Students can opt for the new version of the digital ACT on national test dates.
  • The digital test will be shorter and will exclude the science section from the composite score.
  • The science section will be optional
  • April 2025 to September 2025: Students will have the choice between the new digital test and the current paper version of the test.
  • September 2025: Both the digital and paper versions will transition to the newer format
  • The ACT will continue to offer both digital and paper formats of the new test

What Isn’t Changing?

  • The scoring scale will remain the same, ranging from 1 to 36.
  • The writing (essay) section will remain optional.
  • The core content of the exam will remain substantially unchanged.
  • ...
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Planning a Test Prep for Juniors and Seniors

Juniors

When to Test?
Since both the SAT and ACT cover math primarily from Pre-Algebra through Algebra 2, it's important for students to have completed part of Algebra 2 before taking their first test. Therefore, most juniors benefit from taking their first test in December or spring (February, March, or April) of their junior year. If you’ve already completed Algebra 2, taking the test sooner is definitely better!

When to Begin Preparation?
The summer before junior year is an excellent time to start studying. Maintaining consistency in studying until you complete testing is essential, so choose your timing carefully. I recommend starting at least six weeks before your first test and continuing your studying through future tests.

How Many Times Should You Test?
Generally, most students should plan on taking the test three times. However, starting earlier is important to allow time for retakes if needed or in case something goes wrong (like illness or test center closures).

...

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Maximizing Your Summer Break to Crush the SAT or ACT

Summer is an ideal time to invest in test preparation, as you are free from the stresses and rigors of the school year and can focus your energies into increasing your score. Here are some tips for summer prep:

1. Take two diagnostic tests


It’s important to choose the right test. I suggest taking two full length tests, using official materials (one SAT and one ACT on separate days). Compare your scores to see which test you scored better on. It’s generally better to choose one test and focus all of your attention on it rather than splitting your time between both the SAT and ACT.

 

2. Create a study plan


Gather materials and past official tests and source quality materials to aid in your studies. For the SAT in particular, be careful to use the official practice tests wisely, as you only have access to 6 (as of the writing of this blog post); I see a lot of students using them up too quickly, who then have no reliable way of measuring their progress. Schedule time...

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Registering for the August SAT

Every year since it’s been in existence, the August SAT date fills up extremely quickly in many areas. It’s important to act quickly to secure a spot (October may fill up quickly as well).

Why does it fill up so quickly?

I assume the reason is the scarcity of testing centers. I suspect schools do not want to open their doors in August, before school officially begins in many areas.

When does registration open up?

The College Board does not tell us, and it’s not an easily predictable date. Last year was the earliest so far, in mid-May.

What can I do to secure my spot?

I recommend frequently checking the registration page, beginning now (at least once per day). Make sure your details are already filled out in your account, so you don’t take too long during registration (and risk losing your spot). You can skip all of the optional questions asking about academic history. Here is the registration page: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/dates-deadlines

Once...

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Why is my test score lower than my practice test scores?

  1. You didn’t take the practice tests properly

Using real, official SATs and ACTs is the best way to assess your score; the practice test scores you got in the two weeks before test day are good predictors of how you will score on the real test. However, these scores can be quite inaccurate if you don’t take the practice tests properly. You should take each practice test in a single sitting, uninterrupted, and follow testing rules (for example, don’t give yourself a few extra minutes to finish up a section).

2. You aren’t properly managing your time

It’s important not to allow yourself to get bogged down on any one question, as it’s easy to get sidetracked and run out of time.

3. Test anxiety can reduce your score

If you suffer from test anxiety, I recommend taking the actual test as many times as you can; the more you take the test, the more comfortable you should be on test day, which can help you feel less anxious. Note that test anxiety is...

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