---
title: Online SAT / ACT Prep Blog by PrepScholar | Dr. Fred Zhang
description: Fred is co-founder of PrepScholar. He scored a perfect score on the SAT and is passionate about sharing information with aspiring students. Fred graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor's in Mathematics and a PhD in Economics.
---
**[](https://www.prepscholar.com/)**
CALL NOW:
[+1 (866) 811-5546](tel:18668115546)
[](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKJluK2NyG3jpAJh%2F2lClc1fhnVHyMZoQonqRxtJngB8FMX6lc78F84JqOaVAL0d36TA5%2FYuH%2FLCJw8AG3ewREi%2F7a3XDouZgjxWfYCBUge6z76KnSykOxONl3avMK0gUjJGpJdyJE2BDTx8g3bsgHwMtx4Kr9Jfh6Jr7WA2XEIgtLw1OoVvAMo4Kw%3D&webInteractiveContentId=171805697634&portalId=360031)
## Choose Your Test
SAT Prep ACT Prep
[PrepScholar Advice Blog](https://blog.prepscholar.com/)
☰
- Search Blogs By Category
- [SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat)
- [ACT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/act)
- [College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions)
- [AP and IB Exams](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/advanced-placement-ap)
- [PSAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/psat-info-and-strategies)
- [TOEFL](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/toefl)
- [GPA and Coursework](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/coursework-gpa)
## Dr. Fred Zhang
Fred is co-founder of PrepScholar. He scored a perfect score on the SAT and is passionate about sharing information with aspiring students. Fred graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor's in Mathematics and a PhD in Economics.
### Recent Posts
## [What Is a Good ACT Score? A Bad ACT Score? An Excellent ACT Score?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-act-score-a-bad-act-score-an-excellent-act-score)
Posted by [Dr. Fred Zhang](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang) | November 20, 2023
[SAT/ACT Score Target](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat-act-score-target)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-act-score-a-bad-act-score-an-excellent-act-score)
If you've taken the ACT and gotten your ACT test scores back, you probably want to know how you did. Or you might be planning for the ACT and want to know what ACT composite score to aim for. **So what is a good ACT score?**
In this article, we'll discuss what makes a good ACT composite score. We also give you a step-by-step guide to figuring out what a good ACT score is for you personally, depending on the colleges you plan to apply to. We'll also provide ACT score ranges for 35 popular schools and discuss what you can do if you fall short of your goal score.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-act-score-a-bad-act-score-an-excellent-act-score)
---
## [How to Get Into Stanford (by an Accepted Student)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-into-stanford-by-an-acceptee)
Posted by [Dr. Fred Zhang](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang) | November 16, 2023
[College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-into-stanford-by-an-acceptee)
Many students want to get into Stanford, one of the most prestigious undergraduate institutions in the United States. While getting into Stanford is very tough, there are definite rules to Stanford admissions. **Using these rules to your advantage will greatly increase your chances of getting in.**
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-into-stanford-by-an-acceptee)
---
## [Future Years' SAT Test Dates, Schedules, and Deadlines](https://blog.prepscholar.com/future-years-sat-test-dates-schedule-and-registration-deadlines)
Posted by [Dr. Fred Zhang](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang) | October 4, 2023
[SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/future-years-sat-test-dates-schedule-and-registration-deadlines)
Future SAT test dates are only confirmed less than a year in advance, but we at PrepScholar have done the hard work of looking at past test date patterns to **predict future SAT test dates and registration deadlines**.
For 2025 and early 2026, the [official timetable](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-test-dates) is set. But even though they're more uncertain, we can predict future years like 2027 and 2028 with decent confidence. These predictions have been updated in January 2025 to reflect the latest possible data.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/future-years-sat-test-dates-schedule-and-registration-deadlines)
---
## [SAT Test Dates: Full Guide to Choosing (2025, 2026)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-test-dates)
Posted by [Dr. Fred Zhang](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang) | September 3, 2023
[SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-test-dates)
The SAT is offered seven times a year, but which SAT test dates will work best for you and your schedule? What essential factors should you consider before creating an SAT schedule? What are the best SAT dates for juniors? For seniors?
In this comprehensive guide, **we offer you the most current info on SAT test dates (domestic and international) for 2025-2026.** We also give you our top tips for choosing the best SAT test dates for you as well as tons of resources to help you navigate the complicated web of SAT/ACT test dates.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-test-dates)
---
## [ACT Test Dates: Full Guide to Choosing (2025-2026)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-test-dates)
Posted by [Dr. Fred Zhang](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang) | September 3, 2023
[ACT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/act)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-test-dates)
Looking for info on 2025-2026 ACT test dates? Knowing the correct ACT test dates is crucial for a solid test-taking plan. Though you might be tempted to go ahead and register for the next possible test date, what you should really be doing is finding a date that works well for *you* and your schedule.
**In this guide, we offer an overview of upcoming ACT test dates, registration deadlines, and score release dates.** We also give you tips on how to choose an ACT test date and go over which test dates work best for juniors, seniors, and more.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-test-dates)
---
## [What Is a Good SAT Score? A Bad SAT Score? An Excellent SAT Score?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-sat-score-a-bad-sat-score-an-excellent-sat-score)
Posted by [Dr. Fred Zhang](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang) | August 22, 2023
[SAT/ACT Score Target](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat-act-score-target)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-sat-score-a-bad-sat-score-an-excellent-sat-score)
What is a good SAT score? You took [the SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-the-sat-a-complete-explanation-of-the-test), got your scores back, and now want to know how you did. Or maybe you want to know what score to aim for next time.
In this guide, we discuss **how to figure out how your SAT scores stack up against those of all the other test takers**. We'll then help you determine what a good SAT score for you is based on the colleges you are interested in. Finally, we provide the SAT score ranges of more than 50 popular schools and discuss what to do if your score turns out to be lower than you expected.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-sat-score-a-bad-sat-score-an-excellent-sat-score)
---
## [When Do PSAT Scores Come Out? The PSAT Results Release Schedule](https://blog.prepscholar.com/when-do-psat-scores-come-out-results-release-schedule)
Posted by [Dr. Fred Zhang](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang) | July 6, 2023
[PSAT Info and Strategies](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/psat-info-and-strategies)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/when-do-psat-scores-come-out-results-release-schedule)
The wait for PSAT results can be nerve-wracking. It's likely your first time taking an SAT-like test, and the PSAT can give you a sense of what range your final SAT score is likely to be. Plus, if you score high enough, there's a lot of [potential scholarship money](https://blog.prepscholar.com/do-you-qualify-for-the-national-merit-scholarship) available.
So when is the wait over? **When are PSAT scores released?** In this guide, we explain when you'll get your PSAT results, walk you through the complete PSAT timeline, and offer some suggestions on what to do once you have your scores.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/when-do-psat-scores-come-out-results-release-schedule)
---
## [What's a Good SAT/ACT Score for the Ivy League? What's the Lowest Score I Can Get in With?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/whats-a-good-sat-act-score-for-the-ivy-league-whats-the-lowest-score-i-can-get-in-with)
Posted by [Dr. Fred Zhang](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang) | September 27, 2022
[SAT/ACT Score Target](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat-act-score-target), [College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/whats-a-good-sat-act-score-for-the-ivy-league-whats-the-lowest-score-i-can-get-in-with)
Are you aiming to attend an [Ivy League school](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-are-the-ivy-league-schools)? What ACT/SAT scores do Ivy League universities—Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, Penn, and Yale—expect? Here, we look at **what test scores these eight highly selective schools consider good,** as well as what scores are considered borderline.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/whats-a-good-sat-act-score-for-the-ivy-league-whats-the-lowest-score-i-can-get-in-with)
---
## [SAT International Test Dates Guide](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-international-test-dates)
Posted by [Dr. Fred Zhang](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang) | July 10, 2022
[SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-international-test-dates)
Here we look at international SAT test dates. The test months haven't changed since last year, but the dates have! We've recorded what we've learned in this article.
UPDATE: SAT test dates are now the same globally. Get the most up-to-date info on [upcoming SAT dates here](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-test-dates).
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-international-test-dates)
---
## [ACT Score Percentiles and Ranks (High-Precision 2025)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-percentiles-high-precision)
Posted by [Dr. Fred Zhang](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang) | November 24, 2021
[ACT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/act)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-percentiles-high-precision)
Do you want to know your exact ACT score up to six digits of precision? Every digit can help when you want to know your exact performance. I've used real ACT data, newly-released in 2024, to calculate these ultra-high-precision percentiles.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-percentiles-high-precision)
---
## [SAT II Biology E/M Study Guide: Best Books and Schedule](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-ii-biology-e-m-study-guide-books-schedule)
Posted by [Dr. Fred Zhang](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang) | June 13, 2021
[SAT Subject Tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat-subject-tests)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-ii-biology-e-m-study-guide-books-schedule)
The SAT II Biology E/M Subject Test is a good choice for students looking at medicine or who want to show off their hard science skills. **But what's the best way to study for the Biology E/M Subject Tests**? What are good books and study schedules? Read this guide to find out!
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-ii-biology-e-m-study-guide-books-schedule)
---
## [Train the SAT Essay with Real Examples](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-essay-with-real-student-examples)
Posted by [Dr. Fred Zhang](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang) | March 15, 2021
[SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat), [SAT Writing](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat-writing), [SAT Essay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat-essay)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-essay-with-real-student-examples)
One of the best ways to learn the SAT essay is to look at example submissions by other real students. By judging these example essays yourself, you'll understand much better what SAT graders are looking for. You'll also learn from these examples what to do and not to do.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-essay-with-real-student-examples)
---
## [What's the Deal with Improving Sentences and the Essay? SAT Writing Guide and Advice](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-writing-guide-and-advice-part-ii-essays-and-correcting-sentences)
Posted by [Dr. Fred Zhang](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang) | March 15, 2021
[SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat), [SAT Writing](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat-writing)
Have you ever wondered what the SAT is looking for when they ask questions that are confusing? Look no further! In this post, we reveal the goals of the SAT Essay and Identifying Sentence Errors question types.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-writing-guide-and-advice-part-ii-essays-and-correcting-sentences)
---
## [Get Into Engineering Schools Like MIT, Caltech, CMU, or RPI With the SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/get-into-engineering-schools-like-mit-caltech-cmu-or-rpi-with-the-sat)
Posted by [Dr. Fred Zhang](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang) | June 2, 2020
[College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/get-into-engineering-schools-like-mit-caltech-cmu-or-rpi-with-the-sat)
Engineering schools don't look for the same things on a college application that the average school does. I would know -- because I have an engineering background and spent substantial time studying the process of getting into Caltech and MIT, and then I did it. Here, I reveal how they're different.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/get-into-engineering-schools-like-mit-caltech-cmu-or-rpi-with-the-sat)
---
## [SAT Score Percentiles (High-Precision Version)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-percentiles-high-precision-2016)
Posted by [Dr. Fred Zhang](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang) | January 3, 2020
[SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-percentiles-high-precision-2016)
Are you looking for **ultra high-precision SAT percentiles?** Official SAT percentiles released by the College Board only go as far as the ones place—this means you'll see only whole numbers such as 2, 56, and 93, without any decimals. But this isn't accurate enough for some test takers.
For this article, I've calculated SAT percentiles to **six digits of precision** (and, yes, every digit can help, especially if you're scoring at the high end!).
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-percentiles-high-precision-2016)
---
[All Posts](https://blog.prepscholar.com/all) | [Next Page](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang/page/2)
### Trending Now
[How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-into-harvard-and-the-ivy-league-by-a-harvard-alum)
[How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-4-0-gpa-and-get-better-grades-by-a-harvard-alum)
[How to Write an Amazing College Essay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-write-a-college-essay)
[Should You Take the SAT or ACT?](https://quiz.prepscholar.com/sat-vs-act)
[What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-do-colleges-look-for)
[ACT vs. SAT: 10 Key Differences](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-vs-sat)
[Calculate Your College Chances](https://mycollegechances.prepscholar.com/)
Get Your Free
**[](https://www.prepscholar.com/)**
eBook
[5 Tips to Raise Your SAT Score 160+ Points](https://www.prepscholar.com/rp/sat-5-tips-ebook/)
[5 Tips to Raise Your ACT Score 4+ Points](https://www.prepscholar.com/rp/act-5-tips-ebook/)
### SAT Prep
[Find Your Target SAT Score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-sat-score-a-bad-sat-score-an-excellent-sat-score)
[Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-sat-practice-tests-free-links)
### **[How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-sat-score-by-a-2400-sat-scorer)**
[Score 800 on SAT Math](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-800-on-sat-math-by-a-perfect-scorer)
[Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-800-on-sat-reading-and-writing)
[Raise Your SAT Score by 160+ Points GUARANTEED. Start Your 5-Day Risk-Free Trial](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat-test-prep/?utm_source=databasepage&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_campaign=sat_guarantee)
### ACT Prep
[Find Your Target ACT Score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-act-score-a-bad-act-score-an-excellent-act-score)
[Complete Official Free ACT Practice Tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-act-practice-tests-free-links)
### **[How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-act-score-by-a-36-full-scorer)**
[Get a 36 on ACT English](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-english-9-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer)
[Get a 36 on ACT Math](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-math-8-strategies-by-a-perfect-scorer)
[Get a 36 on ACT Reading](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-reading-11-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer)
Stay Informed
Get the latest articles and test prep tips!
- [](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar)
- [](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton)
- [](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/)
Get Exclusive Tips for College Admissions
Sign up to receive free guidance on everything from acing the SAT to writing a standout college admissions essay.
×
## Thanks for Subscribing!
To receive immediate updates on all our helpful guides and strategies, **follow us** on social media: [](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) [](https://x.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/prepscholar/) [](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/)
## Ask a Question Below
Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!
**[](https://www.prepscholar.com)**
- [WHO WE ARE](https://www.prepscholar.com/who-we-are/)
- [SUCCESS STORIES](https://www.prepscholar.com/case-studies/)
- [ADVICE BLOG](https://blog.prepscholar.com/)
- [FOR SCHOOLS](https://www.prepscholar.com/for-schools/)
- [SAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat-test-prep/)
- [ACT](https://www.prepscholar.com/act-test-prep/)
- [PSAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/psat-test-prep/)
- [AP](https://www.prepscholar.com/ap-tutoring/)
- [GRE](https://www.prepscholar.com/gre-test-prep/)
- [GMAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/gmat-test-prep/)
- [TOEFL](https://www.prepscholar.com/toefl-test-prep/)
- [ADMISSIONS](https://www.prepscholar.com/college-admissions-consulting/)
- [TERMS OF SERVICE](https://www.prepscholar.com/terms-of-service/)
- [PRIVACY POLICY](https://www.prepscholar.com/privacy-policy/)
- [](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton)
- [](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar)
- [](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/)
- [](https://www.tiktok.com/@prepscholarofficial)
- [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/prepscholar/)
© PrepScholar 2013-2025. All rights reserved
SAT® is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this web site.
ACT® is a registered trademark belonging to ACT Education Corporation ("ACT"). ACT is not involved with or affiliated with PrepScholar Inc., nor does ACT endorse or sponsor any of the products or services offered by PrepScholar Inc.
GRE® and TOEFL® are registered trademarks of the ETS®. The ETS® does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with, the owner or any content of this web site.
GMAT® is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admissions Council®. The Graduate Management Admissions Council® does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with, the owner or any content of this website.