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...

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...

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...

I’ve been getting questions from parents and students about the possibility of the ACT going digital, following the SAT’s recent transition. The ACT has been available only as a digital test for international students (anyone outside the US) for several years. Recently, there is an option in certain centers to take a digital ACT, but (for now) the US-based ACT is primarily a paper based exam.

The computer based ACT and the paper based ACT are the same outside of the format. They have the same number of questions, the same timing, and the same scoring. Both formats will be accepted and given equal weight by colleges. 

Should you take the digital ACT if it is available in your area? It really depends on what you feel most comfortable with. My recommendation is to take both versions of the test and see which one you felt better with. The ACT has sample tests in both the digital and paper format on their website and in their official prep guide.

...

We normally start our students off with a diagnostic test, so we can assess the student’s strengths and weaknesses and recommend one test over the other.  About half of the students show a propensity for one test over the other, while the other half does equally well on both the SAT and ACT.  For the majority of students, it’s best to choose a single  test, focus all of their energy into that test, and stick with that test.  

There are several benefits to focusing on a single test.  It is better to focus on a single test and become an absolute expert in it. Mastering one test alone is far easier than splitting your attention between two different exams, with different pacing, different question types, and even different topics!  It is also a lot less stressful to study for a single test.

While it can be very rewarding, studying for the SAT or ACT is intensive, exhausting, and time consuming.  Adding a second test into...