High school students need to keep the SAT and ACT exam on their radar. These exams are measures of what the student knows and their ability to understand coursework. The results of these exams are used by college admissions boards in deciding:

  • Merit Scholarships
  • Enrollment

And may also be required for:
  • Course Placement in College
  • Academic Counseling
  • Institutional Research

Finding the best ACT and SAT strategy will help students study and achieve their career and college goals.

Watch our ACT and SAT Strategy Workshop Webinar Video with Coach Allen Ziga from Two Times Tutoring for more test prep advice and assistance.

ACT SAT Student Questions

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR SAT & ACT

What types of questions will be in SAT/ACT?

SAT Section (4 sections) ACT Section (5 sections)
Reading Reading
Writing English
Math (No Calculator and Calculator) Math
Essay (Optional) Science
Essay (Optional)

How does the scoring system work?

The SAT scores are ranging from 400 to 1600 while the ACT scores are ranging from 1 to 36.

How can I improve my reading section?

One suggestion is to always read the questions before moving into the passage. This way students can understand what information they should focus on in each reading passage.

How long should I practice for SAT?ACT

Students should spend 6 months studying and practicing for an SAT/ACT exam. If this is not possible, it is strongly recommended that students start at least 2 months before the exam.

If you choose to do the essay, how much does it raise the overall score?

The essay section is optional and its scores will not affect your total SAT/ACT scores. You can do the essay section if the university requires this information or if you are applying for a major that requires analytical writing skills

Are we allowed to use calculators for SAT/ACT?

Yes. You can use calculators for the ACT Math section only. For SAT, there is one Math section where you are not allowed to use calculators.

What are best practice resources for SAT/ACT?

Websites: Khan Academy SAT prep course, Alexa Laine’s Youtube Channel: Get a 36 on the ACT/ 8 easy Tips. 5 Academy’s Youtube Channel: Best ACT strategies and tricks that help me improve 15 points.

Books: The Princeton Review ACT/ACT premium prep, Barron’s ACT 36 aiming for the perfect scores.

Can my math score cover the other sections with lower scores in ACT?

No. Each section of the ACT covers 25% of the total scores. If you do well in the Math section, that score will not make up for other sections that you don’t do well.