How can I prepare in the best way for the ACT and SAT?

Answered

I commend your determination to get a high test score. Most students these days would perhaps go the test optional route if they have poor PSATs or Pre-ACT scores.

Here's my advice and you have to "listen to me now, and believe me later!"

1. Since you already have a less than ideal track record on both, DO NOT study for both the SAT and ACT concurrently thinking that attacking two birds 🐦 🐦 with one brain 🧠 is going to be successful. They are not the same birds, 1 moves fast, 1 moves slower. 1 is more predictable one is more inference based. 1 uses Algebra/Geometry, the other Algebra/Pre-Calc/Stats. 1 has a science section, the other not. 1 has 2 math sections, the other 1.

2. Since you have multiple PSAT and Pre-Calc test scores, pick the 1 that you have a higher percentile composite score. For example, one might be 82% and the other 86%. Although they are similar, pick the higher composite test format. That should be the test you focus on okay.

3. But "I want to study and take both because then I have twice the chances of getting a high score and applying to my dream colleges!". That's not how it works. First of all all colleges, including the ones that are your dream schools are 100% agnostic to whether you submit an ACT test score or an SAT test score. Sure they will take both if you have both but that is NOT what they are asking for. I read a post two weeks ago about this CV member that wanted to know if they should submit a 36ACT and a 1580SAT or just 1 of the 2. I was perturbed with this post because if you can get test score like that, you don't need anyone's advice on anything and already have the answer. In your case, since you are not going to have a 36/1580 dilemma, focus on getting the highest possible test score in 1 format and submit that if it is good enough to meet the middle 50% percentile range for admits. If you have a good ACT or SAT, no one is going to judge 1 test format being more important than the other.

4. Once you decide whether you are going to attack the SAT or ACT, then re-read some CV blog answers on what are the best test-prep materials. Both Erica Meltzer and College Panda have books for both formats and they are both excellent series to help you. If you are doing the SAT, opening a Khan Academy account is a must but there is not ACT Khan prep. Getting the big red Official ACT or Official SAT test prep book is a must because they both have sample tests that you can take as practice tests. If you get stuck at a level like 1400 and need a 1500, then there are other more targeted resources that will help you tweak your score up.

5. Both the ACT and SAT are not IQ intelligence tests. They are both like 25% content which I think most HS students can master if they take the time to research the types of questions that are on the test. They are both 75% test-strategy, time management, and test optimization challenges. So if you are not well-prepared with a strategy, you might get stuck on a question and instead of moving on, spend 10 minutes on 1 problem when you could have used those 10 minutes to do 10 problems correctly. Most people forget this is a TIMED TEST, not a take home use 24 hours to figure it out test. So in the end, maximizing how many questions you get right is way more important than getting things correct sequentially. Does that make sense? So if you have 30 math questions, no one cares if you got Q 1 - 20 correct and missed 10. They rather you bounce around and get 25 right and get 5 wrong.

6. Use your test results wisely and let your scores inform you whether you want to submit them or go test-optional. If in the end your test score is below the 25th percentile, the general rule is do not submit them. However you might submit them if you have a hook like being Black, LatinX, Indigenous or come from a low income/first gen background. Your top school list does use "RACE" and other factors like Marginalized Background for admissions criteria. Often hook applicants can submit lower scores because their academic indexes are lower.

There are different types of students and some do great on standardized test scores and other not so much. Believe me there are plenty of straight A students who can get As in APs and IBs but are poor test takers and can't crack 1250 or 1300. Some have serious anxiety and others just CAN'T get into studying for them hundreds of hours. And there are other B and B+ students that can get a 34 ACT or 1500 SAT. Your course rigor, grades, intellectual vitality/curiosity will always outweigh a standardized test score but if you have all (4) things, then you are golden.

Hope this is helpful to you and other 9th/10th/11th graders as well. Good luck.