SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

Future ACT dates are only officially confirmed about a year or year and a half in advance. However, here at PrepScholar we've researched patterns from previous testing years to predict future ACT test dates and help you plan your exam schedule. Having an idea of when future ACT test dates will be can help you organize your schedule and know when to register and begin studying for the test.

In this article, we discuss the anticipated ACT test dates for 2022-2023 and explain how you can use them to be well-prepared for the date you decide is best for you.

The ACT is a nerve-wracking test considering the impact scores can have on college admissions prospects. But how hard is the ACT, really? It's intimidating, sure, but it's not as difficult as it seems. The material on the ACT becomes much less challenging if you're familiar with the structure of the test and the way questions are asked.

In this article, I'll go over a few aspects of the ACT that tend to make it more or less difficult and provide essential tips on how to get past some of these obstacles and end up with a great score!

I spent four years as a test-prep tutor, working with students on all aspects of the ACT and SAT. When I started out, I knew how to take the tests, but I wasn't that good at teaching them. Over the years, however, I've learned a lot about how to be an effective teacher, and it's largely not about the kinds of tips and tricks you might expect.

Standardized testing isn't most people's idea of fun—quite the opposite actually. Why take the ACT, then? And is it a better choice than the SAT? You may have heard that many colleges have become test optional (either temporarily or permanently) because of the coronavirus pandemic and are wondering if it's still worth it to take the ACT. Read this article to help you decide if taking the ACT is the right choice for you.

Standardized test scores are an important part of college admissions, but they also have value beyond that: taking the ACT can earn you tens of thousands of dollars in financial aid or help you get a job! Below are the five key reasons why to take the ACT.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many institutions have gone to a test-optional admissions model, where students won’t be penalized for not submitting test scores as part of their application. And over recent years, some universities have adopted a permanent test optional policy. 

So if many colleges aren’t requiring test scores…do SAT scores matter? Do ACT scores matter? And should you take a standardized test at all? 

The good news is that this article will help you understand the general importance of SAT/ACT scores and whether you should take the SAT or ACT. We’ll go over:  

• What test-flexible, test-optional, and test blind admissions policies are
• Why schools care about standardized tests...and why they can be controversial
• Four tips to decide whether you should take the SAT and ACT

There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started!

As an ACT tutor, I often fielded questions about whether the test would be looked down on by admissions officers, especially those at Ivy League schools. Because the SAT was the dominant college admissions test for so long, many students and parents worry that—at least in the Northeast—schools still prefer the SAT over the ACT. However, that time has definitely passed, and schools will now accept either test equally.

Read on for a more in-depth explanation of how Ivy League schools view the ACT today, and learn the differences in testing policies that might affect your decision to take the ACT or SAT.

For those currently taking the ACT or who took it in 2011-2015, you might wonder: how does your percentile compare with students who got the same score in other years? In this guide, I'll explain what percentiles are, how they work for the ACT, and why they matter. I'll also give you ACT percentile charts for 2011-2015 so you can see how your scores stack up against historical ones.

The average ACT score for US students is a 20.6. The middle 50% of students score between a 16 and a 25. The following chart breaks down the nationwide average by section:

However, when you’re thinking about college admissions the nationwide average isn’t important: what really matters is the average score of the students you’re being compared with.

If you’re a high achieving student applying to very selective schools you’ll need a score much higher than the national average. If, on the other hand, you’re applying to certain state schools, a 20 is a totally acceptable score.

Many students make judgments about their potential for future success based on how well they do on the ACT or SAT. Though earning high scores on these tests will help you to get into a selective college, the scores don't always have an impact on your future beyond that.

In this article, I'll go through whether or not ACT scores can be used as a means of predicting academic success, career success, and overall happiness later in life.

Did you know that studying for the SAT or ACT can be a joint effort? This is one of the draws of ACT and SAT prep classes, which allow you to learn the most important components of the exam in a group setting, with guidance and advice from an expert teacher. Unfortunately, not all classes are high quality, so you'll need to carefully vet any you're interested in before committing to one.

In this article, we go over the six key qualities that make for a great SAT/ACT prep class. We then introduce our four tips for finding the right prep class for you. Before we do all that, though, let's answer an important question: should everyone take an ACT/SAT prep class or not?

Have you heard about ACT Academy and are wondering if it's a good study resource? Although ACT Academy has some legitimate benefits, overall, there are many drawbacks to it, and we only recommend using it in addition to other study materials. Using ACT Academy as your main ACT prep resource can result in a lot of wasted time and a lower score than you wanted. In this in-depth guide, we explain everything you need to know about ACT Academy, including what it offers, why it was created, and how it differs from other resources. We then break down ACT Academy's pros and cons and explain how you should use ACT Academy as part of your test prep (and how you definitely shouldn't use it).

Have you been told you need to take a computer-based ACT or heard that some people take the ACT on a computer and want to know if it's an option for you? Who is allowed to take ACT computer-based testing, and who is stuck still making sure they have a #2 pencil on test day? We answer all your questions about computer-based ACTs in this guide, including if taking a computer-based ACT will give you a higher or lower score than a paper test, why computer-based ACT is being offered, and how you can prepare for this new version of the test. 

ACT and SAT dates in March, April, May, and June 2020 have been canceled due to COVID-19. Some (but not all!) testing sites have also been closed in July, which means some students may be unable to take their July ACT exam, either.

If you've been caught in these cancellations, you're probably feeling pretty stressed out. When will you get to retake your test? And is there a special process for registering for the SAT after cancellation?

If these unknowns have left you feeling confused about how to handle ACT/SAT score requirements for your college applications, let us help you out. In this article, we'll walk you through what to do after your SAT or ACT test has canceled. We'll explain:

• How to transfer your registration for a canceled exam
• How to cancel your registration if you don't want to move your exam date
• If there are special accommodations for certain groups of students
• How to choose the right option for you

We'll also go over the available next steps for students who haven't taken the ACT/SAT yet but want to enroll in college in Fall 2020.

We know there can be a lot of anxiety surrounding test scores, but rest assured — you have options!

There's one thing that every student studying for the ACT definitely needs: practice tests that are almost identical to what you will face on test day. No matter how you study, we've found that most students really benefit from taking a full ACT practice test several times in as close to official test-taking conditions as possible. This is the best way to get comfortable with the pace, timing, and format of the exam, and to work on both your endurance and stress-management techniques.

So how do you get your hands on enough ACT tests to put yourself in the hot seat for practice? In this article, we'll link to all the official tests and question sets released by ACT, Inc. and give you suggestions on where to find others so that you have more than enough practice materials to get ready for this important college admissions test.

The ACT can be a slog. First you have to do all that studying, then spend a bunch of hours taking the test, then wait weeks for your scores to get back. Do you know what makes it better? Memes. This guide contains 21 of the most relatable ACT 2020 memes out there, from the frustration at not being able to use a mechanical pencil to finding out your scores have been delayed. And yes, there is a baby Yoda ACT meme too.