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SAT, ACT and PSAT prep

What each test is, how to start, and a simple eight-week plan you can bend to your schedule.

PSAT

A shorter practice-style version of the SAT, usually taken in high school. It shows you where you stand before the real thing.

Good to know

  • Its questions and format are close to the SAT, so it works as a practice run
  • Many schools offer it during the school day, so ask your counselor when
  • In the U.S., the PSAT/NMSQT taken in junior year can qualify students for National Merit recognition

Prep tips

  • Look at your score report for the question types you missed, and practice those
  • Take it seriously but calmly: it is practice, not a final grade
  • Use the results to plan your SAT or ACT prep

SAT

A college admissions test with two parts: reading and writing, and math. Scores run from 400 to 1600.

Good to know

  • It is taken on a computer at a test center or school on set dates
  • Not every college requires test scores, so check each school you like
  • You can take it more than once, and many students do

Prep tips

  • Take an official practice test first to find your starting point
  • Practice with official materials from the test maker, many of them free
  • Review every mistake: why you missed it, and how to catch it next time
  • In math, learn the topics that come up most, then practice timing

ACT

Another college admissions test, scored from 1 to 36. Its sections include English, math, reading and science. Check the official site for the current format.

Good to know

  • It is accepted by colleges in place of the SAT where tests are considered
  • Some students do better on one test than the other, so a practice test of each can help
  • Dates, fees and formats change, so confirm them on the official ACT website

Prep tips

  • Take a full practice test and notice whether pace or content is your bigger problem
  • Practice reading quickly and staying focused, since timing matters
  • Learn the English grammar rules that come up often
  • Practice with official materials from the test maker

An eight-week starter plan

  1. Week 1Take a full practice test and note your score and the types of questions you missed.
  2. Weeks 2–3Work on your two weakest areas for 30 to 45 minutes, four days a week.
  3. Weeks 4–5Add timed sections, and keep a log of mistakes and what you learned from each.
  4. Week 6Take a second full practice test and compare it with the first.
  5. Weeks 7–8Review your mistake log, fix the last weak spots, and rest well the night before the test.

Test day

  • Sleep well the night before and eat breakfast
  • Bring what the test center requires, and check the list on the official site
  • Do the questions you know first, and come back to the hard ones
  • If you get stuck, make your best guess and move on