SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

The SAT Prep Black Book's first edition was one of the best resources for SAT Prep, and its second edition continues that legacy.

Read this guide for a detailed review of the Black Book's strong points and weaknesses. Also, find out how to integrate this book as part of a complete prep program (because, as we'll explain, it's nowhere near enough for most students).

The SAT score release dates are always tense for students. Did you get the score that you were aiming for? Do you have to take the SAT again? Checking scores immediately when they come out gives you the most time to plan ahead.

In this article, find out when you'll receive your SAT score report depending on your test date. Also learn the fastest way to check your SAT score.

You've taken the ACT, and now you're waiting for your scores. This can be a tense time, but knowing when exactly to expect your ACT results can help you plan ahead.

So when do ACT scores come out, exactly? In this article, find out when your test scores will become available, how to get your ACT results as fast as possible, and what to do once you have them.

No matter how you prep for the ACT—whether you have a tutor, take a class, or study by yourself—you must get access to official ACT tests. These tests are released by ACT, Inc., and contain real questions given to actual students on previous test dates. These questions have been removed from circulation (so you won't ever see them on a real test), but their quality is second to none when it comes to ACT realism.

In this post, I'll tell you how to find all currently available official ACT practice tests. Most are free and offer a good way to get your feet wet with ACT prep. We'll also discuss how to use these tests to improve your ACT score.

If you're deciding between taking the SAT and the ACT and you have a tight budget, this guide will help. We'll cover the registration costs, reporting costs, and how you can save money no matter what test you choose.

In this post, I'll tell you where to find all the official printable SAT practice tests, with full answer keys, available anywhere online. This comprehensive guide gives you access to more practice tests than any other guide out there.

Registering for the SAT sounds like the easiest part of the process. But signing up is much more convoluted than you think, and some things matter a lot more than others. Most of all, you want to avoid classic registration mistakes that can cost you dearly.

Official SAT tests released by the College Board are the absolute gold standard for SAT practice questions. Each test released by the College Board contains real questions given to real students at previous administrations of the SAT. 

In this post, I'll tell you where to find all the official SAT practice tests available anywhere online. This comprehensive guide gives you access to more practice tests than any other guide out there. Most of these tests are free and great practice to get started with SAT prep. We'll also discuss how to use these tests to get the most improvement possible from them.

You're probably curious about how you stack up against average SAT scores. But what is an average SAT score? There are lots of different ways to look at average SAT scores. How many types of averages are there, and which averages are important for you?

We'll discuss official results for all these questions—and more—and tell you which SAT average scores actually matters for your future.

The college admissions process is a long one, encompassing most of a student's high school career. One of the most important parts, the SAT or ACT standardized test, is also one of the most challenging, and you can really benefit from early planning and deciding when during high school you should take it.

It's always a good idea to begin early, but to decide on specific test dates, you'll need to factor in circumstances like personal schedule, your admissions deadlines, and your subjects in school. All of these make a big difference in when it’s best for you to take the SAT or ACT.

In this guide, we'll debunk a common myth about the best time to take the test, discuss the most important factors for determining when you should take the SAT or ACT, and present the best testing plan for most high school students.

Over a million students across the country take the SAT every year. Are you curious what the SAT scores by state look like? How do you stack up against your state? How about interesting state facts, like which state has the highest SAT score? Lowest SAT score? Highest participation? 

It's the battle of the states, SAT edition. Find out your state's average SAT scores and other fun facts in this post!

There are a lot of “Best SAT Books” lists out there. We think most of them aren’t very good or thorough, and I’ve tried to write a much better guide here. You’ll learn which books are absolutely critical for your prep, which books you should use to improve individual sections, and which books you need if you’re aiming for a top score. Importantly, you’ll also learn HOW to use these books to study effectively.

Keep reading to learn more.

Starting in March 2016, the new SAT is scored on a 1600-point scale rather than a 2400-point scale.

But how do you compare your new SAT score to the old SAT 2400 scale? What scores are colleges looking for, since they don't have much data on the new SAT?

Our official new SAT to old SAT conversion charts here have the most updated score conversions available. If you need to convert your new SAT to the old SAT, or your old SAT to the new SAT, use our handy conversion tool to get your score automatically.

Are you struggling with ACT Science scores between 14-24? You're not alone - hundreds of thousands of other students are scoring in this range. But many don't know the best ways to break out of this score range and get 26+ on the ACT.

Here we'll discuss how to improve your ACT Science score effectively, and why it's so important to do so. Put these principles to work and I'm confident you'll be able to improve your score.

Are you struggling with ACT Math scores between 14-24? You're not alone - hundreds of thousands of other students are scoring in this range. But many don't know the best ways to break out of this score range and get 26+ on the ACT.

Here we'll discuss how to improve ACT Math score effectively, and why it's so important to do so. Put these principles to work and I'm confident you'll be able to improve your score.