For high school students, preparing for the SAT or ACT can feel overwhelming. Between schoolwork, activities, college applications, and everything else on a student’s schedule, it can be difficult to know when to start preparing, which test to take, or what score to aim for.
The good news is that students don’t have to wait until the last minute.
The best place to start is by understanding where your student is now, where they want to go, and what skills they need to strengthen.
SAT vs. ACT: Which Test Should My Student Take?
Both the SAT and ACT are college entrance exams, and colleges may have different testing policies. Before choosing a test, families should check the current requirements and recommendations for the colleges their student is considering.
When deciding between the SAT and ACT, consider:
- Your student’s academic strengths
- The format and timing of each test
- Practice-test performance
- Your student’s college and scholarship goals
- Current testing policies at their target schools
Some students naturally perform better on one test than the other. Taking a practice test can help provide a useful starting point.
When Should My Student Start SAT or ACT Prep?
There isn’t one perfect timeline for every student.
Freshman and Sophomore Year
Early high school is a good time to focus on building strong foundational skills in:
- Reading
- Writing and grammar
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Problem-solving
- Vocabulary and comprehension
Students don’t necessarily need intensive test preparation yet. Building strong academic skills early can make future test preparation easier.
Junior Year
For many students, junior year is when more focused SAT or ACT preparation begins.
Starting early enough gives students time to:
- Take a baseline test
- Identify skill gaps
- Practice specific question types
- Build test-taking strategies
- Take the test more than once if appropriate
Senior Year
Students who are still working toward their target score may have additional opportunities to test during senior year.
However, students should pay attention to college application and scholarship deadlines so they have enough time for scores to be available when needed.
What Is a Good SAT or ACT Score?
There isn’t one score that is considered “good” for every student.
A better question is:
“What score does my student need for their goals?”
A student’s target score may depend on:
- The colleges they’re considering
- Scholarship opportunities
- Their academic record
- Their starting test score
- Their individual goals
If your student has a specific college or scholarship in mind, look at the most current information from that school before setting a target.
How Do I Know What Score My Student Can Reach?
Start with a baseline.
A practice SAT or ACT can help show your student’s current performance before significant preparation begins.
The results can help identify:
- Strong subject areas
- Skills that need additional practice
- Timing or pacing concerns
- Test-taking challenges
- A realistic starting point for setting goals
Once you know where your student is starting, it’s much easier to create a focused preparation plan.
How Much SAT or ACT Prep Does My Student Need?
It depends on the student.
A student who is already close to their target score may need focused work on a few specific skills. Another student may need more time to strengthen foundational math, reading, or writing skills.
The right amount of preparation depends on:
- Current score
- Target score
- Academic strengths and weaknesses
- Available preparation time
- Upcoming test dates
More tutoring isn’t automatically better. Focused tutoring is.
What Does SAT and ACT Prep Include?
Effective test preparation should be more than simply taking practice tests.
Students may benefit from:
- Reading practice
- Math instruction
- Grammar and writing review
- Test-taking strategies
- Time-management strategies
- Practice questions
- Reviewing missed questions
- Building confidence
At Sylvan Learning of Lawton, preparation can be tailored to the student’s current skills and goals.
The objective is to help students understand the material, recognize question types, and approach test day with greater confidence.
What About Cameron University and Other Oklahoma Colleges?
If your student is considering Cameron University or another Oklahoma college, start by reviewing the school’s current admissions and scholarship information.
College testing policies can change, so families should verify the latest requirements directly with each school.
Once you know what your student is working toward, you can create a preparation plan around that goal.
SAT and ACT Prep in Lawton
Preparing for a college entrance exam doesn’t have to mean cramming the month before test day.
Starting with a baseline assessment can help your student understand their strengths, identify areas for improvement, and create a realistic path toward their target score.
At Sylvan Learning of Lawton, we help students strengthen the academic skills they need for the SAT and ACT while building confidence along the way.
Know your starting point. Set your goal. Build the skills to get there.
Contact Sylvan Learning of Lawton to learn more about SAT and ACT preparation in Lawton.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should my child start ACT or SAT prep?
Many students begin focused preparation during their junior year, although starting earlier can give students more time to strengthen foundational academic skills.
Should my student take the SAT or ACT?
Consider your student’s strengths, preferred test format, practice-test performance, and the current testing policies of their target colleges.
What ACT score should my student aim for?
The right target depends on your student’s college, scholarship, and personal goals. Check the most current information from the schools your student is considering.
How can I find my student’s starting SAT or ACT score?
A practice test can provide a baseline and help identify areas that may need additional preparation.
Is SAT or ACT tutoring worth it?
Focused preparation can be especially valuable for students who have specific score goals, identifiable skill gaps, or difficulty knowing how to prepare independently.
Can tutoring help improve an ACT or SAT score?
Tutoring can help students strengthen the reading, writing, math, and test-taking skills measured by the exams. Results vary by student and depend on factors such as starting point, preparation time, and consistency.
