Standardized Test Prep

By Srishti Ramakrishnan

Standardized tests, especially the SAT and ACT, are right around the corner! Many high schoolers often have to worry about how exactly they should prepare for these tests, especially since several universities will no longer be test optional for the Class of 2025 and beyond. This guide is mostly centered around preparation for the SAT, but I have also provided resources in this article that can be utilized to study for the ACT.

Before we begin, here is a tip: start studying as early as possible. The more time you give yourself to prepare, the more confident you’ll feel on the actual day of your exam!

Step One: Decide Which Test You Want to Take

First, check your university’s requirements. Most schools will only require scores from either the SAT or ACT, not both.

Then, check your district’s requirements. Some districts require the ACT, while others require the SAT. 

Some students may elect to take both the SAT or ACT in case they want to enhance their college options or try a different test format if they did not perform well on the district-issued test. 

SAT or ACT: What’s the Difference?

The SAT is a standardized test given by CollegeBoard. This test is out of 1600 total points, and it tests Reading, Writing, and Math. 

The ACT is given by the American College Test company, and it has a maximum score of 36. This test includes sections for English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing (optional). It is said that this test more closely aligns to the curriculum in most schools.

Step Two: Take a Diagnostic Test

Before you even set a goal for a score, you need to see where exactly you stand and what is attainable given the time you have. Familiarize yourself with the format of each test and find time to take a practice exam. Try to replicate the setting of the actual testing environment: find a quiet room, sharpen all pencils beforehand, do not refer to notes or textbooks during the test, etc.

Here are some practice tests that you can use:

• SAT Practice Test #1

• Official ACT Practice Test 2020-2021
  

  You can use the scoring guides at the end of each practice test booklet to determine your score. Remember: this is just a diagnostic, so don’t be disappointed if you get a score that is lower than what you expected!

Step Three: Set a Goal

Now that you have taken your diagnostic test, it is time to set a goal for your score! The first step in this process is to do some research and determine the average SAT or ACT scores of students admitted into the schools that you are aspiring to attend. This average represents the 25th to the 75th percentile of scores. 

Based on your diagnostic score and your research, set a goal score for yourself. Keeping this goal in mind will motivate you to study. 

Step Four: Practice!!!

Materials You Need (SAT):

• The Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy is a very helpful tool for SAT prep. It is affiliated with CollegeBoard, so it provides access to practice problems that are most representative of those on the exam. It also allows you to set a goal score, take the online versions of practice tests on the CollegeBoard website, and tailor your preparation to focus on the skills that you may struggle with the most. The screenshot below represents an example of the newly updated user interface to reflect the changes that have been implemented in the exams being administered beginning in 2024.

• Prep books from Barron’s and Princeton are also very useful in SAT prep. I would highly recommend using Barron’s for Mathematics and vocabulary and Princeton for English.

Barron’s:

• Explains each topic in great detail and has practice questions at the end of each section

• While the questions in this book may not be representative of the Math Section on the actual exam, they still cover the necessary topics and are much more difficult. As a result, when you sit down for the actual exam, you will be well prepared.

• The Barron’s Premium Prep books usually have a list of 500 words that will be helpful to know for the Reading and Writing portions of the exam. Barron’s also provides this resource in the form of digital and printed flashcards.

Princeton:

• Uses long, advanced passages

• These questions are slightly more representative of the Reading and Writing Sections, but they are nevertheless far more difficult. Again, this will only better prepare you for what lies ahead.

• The answer explanations are very thorough.

Materials:

• Lots of #2 pencils and an eraser - The SAT is primarily composed of multiple choice questions, which will be answered on a Scantron. If you are not already familiar with this format, Scantrons can only be filled out with a #2 pencil. Be sure to bring extra pencils to avoid losing time to the sharpener.

           *If you are taking the digital version of the exam, it is highly recommended that you use scrap paper and a writing implement to plan out your answers or work out a math problem.

• A calculator - All of the math problems on the SAT can be solved without a calculator, but since there is a time limit, using such a tool may be more efficient (only when allowed).

• The ACT website has several resources, such as coaching classes and both digital and print versions of prep books. It can be accessed here: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation.html 

• And of course, pencils, erasers, calculators (if and when allowed)

A Step-By-Step Process of Preparation (SAT):

1. Calculate the average of your score on the diagnostic and your goal (this skill is needed for the SAT!). This average score, which is the midpoint between your initial and goal scores, will serve as a checkpoint in your study plan.

2. Work through the practice problems on Khan Academy and use the quizzes, tests, and Timed Mini Sections (for non-digital SAT prep) to monitor your progress each day. At the end of each week, take a practice test on Khan Academy. Try to replicate the setting of the actual testing environment: find a quiet room, sharpen all pencils beforehand, do not refer to notes or textbooks during the test, etc.

3.  Once you reach your checkpoint score, it’s time to pick up the pace. Start working through the problems in your prep books, and take a practice test (from the prep book) at the end of each week. Do not be disheartened if your score on the practice exams from your book turns out to be lower than what you received on prior tests! These prep books generally are designed to be more difficult than the actual exam itself.

4. As you continue to work through your prep book, study vocab words that you are recommended to know for this exam. If you are not willing to use Barron’s Flashcards for this, Vocab.com is a very reliable resource. 

5. Once you get through the entire prep book, take another practice exam on Khan Academy. If you are not taking the digital version of the SAT, then there are printable versions of these exams available on the CollegeBoard website. This step should ideally occur about a month before the exam.

6. Continue to work through Khan Academy problems and take practice tests every weekend until the exam. 

How to Prepare for the ACT:

The ACT website has several resources, such as coaching classes and both digital and print versions of prep books. It can be accessed here: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation.html 

The ACT has been said to be more reflective of what is taught in school compared to the SAT. As a result, it has more sections and may require a more detailed knowledge of the content being tested. Unlike the SAT, this exam includes a Science section and assesses your understanding of topics in Precalculus in the Math section. 

Your preparation for the ACT should follow a similar regimen to the steps outlined in the previous section. Work through your entire prep book, and take a practice exam every weekend.