Category: ACT
Test-Taking Strategies: How to Ace the College Test Prep
Exams like the SAT, ACT, PSAT and AP tests can all seem overwhelming at first. Being asked to complete an academic assessment is already stressful, and it’s even more challenging to perform well under timed conditions when the stakes are high.
The good news is that it’s possible to put most of your test-taking anxieties at ease and ace your college test prep. The secret to performing your best is taking advantage of tried-and-true test-taking strategies that will set every student up for success.
Navigating Fall Testing in 2020
What You Need to Know if Testing is on Your Radar This FallThis fall, students may feel like they’re approaching a crossroads. While many originally planned on taking the PSAT, SAT, or ACT during their fall semester, the COVID-19 pandemic has added a layer of uncertainty to their college preparation plans. As some testing sites begin to reopen, new questions have emerged. Some students may be wondering whether they should register for a fall exam, what taking the SAT or ACT during the COVID-19 pandemic will look like, and what their options are if they decide against sitting for an exam.
New SAT to Old SAT Score Conversion Chart
SAT Score Conversion Chart for New SAT, Old SAT, and ACT ScoresWant to see how your scores on the SAT compare to ACT? The College Board has updated the concordance tables so students can see how their SAT total scores compare to composite ACT scores.
ACT Superscoring: Colleges that Superscore the ACT
Here are the Colleges that Superscore the ACT
Superscoring is the practice of considering only the highest section scores across all SAT or ACT test scores that are submitted when evaluating applications. Many schools already superscore for the SAT, but superscoring for the ACT has not always been widely practiced.
Why SAT and ACT Scores Still Matter as Test-Optional Choices Rise
Despite an Increase in Test-Optional Choices, Consider Taking the SAT and ACT
Most high school juniors have many questions running through their minds, as the upcoming college admissions cycle will be unlike any other. Amongst other changes, an increasing number of schools are shifting to test-optional admissions policies in response to the cancellation of spring SAT and ACT examinations.
How to Set Test Prep Goals for 2020
Get a Head Start on Planning for the New Year
With the new year right around the corner, now’s the time to start thinking about your test prep goals for 2020. Whether you’re a freshman who is just beginning to think about college, a sophomore gearing up to start test prep, or a junior who is already in the thick of it, there are concrete steps that you can take in 2020 to get closer to achieving your test prep goals.
5 Scary Grammar Rules to Watch Out for on the SAT or ACT
Watch Out for These Tricky Grammar Rules When Taking the SAT or ACT
When it comes to editing, taking a moment to reflect on how something sounds can help you troubleshoot some common errors. Unfortunately, not every grammar question can be solved simply by sounding it out; there are some sentences that may sound “right”, but fall short when it comes to proper grammar.
5 Tips to Make Test Prep More Fun
Studying for the SAT and ACT Can Be a Lot More Enjoyable with These Pointers
For many students, the premise of passing up movie nights and weekends with friends for practice tests and study sessions is far from appealing. While test preparation will probably never become anyone’s go-to leisure activity, there are ways to make studying for the SAT or ACT more enjoyable.
Testing Accommodations for the SAT and ACT
Learn What Kind of Accommodations Are Available for the SAT & ACT
The SAT and ACT can feel overwhelming for any test taker, but for students with learning differences or disabilities there can be an additional piece to the testing puzzle: obtaining appropriate accommodations in order to have the best chance of reaching their goal score on test day.
What’s on the ACT?
Here’s What Students Can Expect on the ACT
Before deciding whether to take the SAT or ACT, it’s important to understand each exam’s content, format, and timing. Here we’re going to take a look at the ACT in order to help students become more familiar with this college entrance exam.
4 Easy to Overlook Tips for the ACT and SAT
An Expert Tutor Breaks Down 4 ACT and SAT Tips That Many Students Overlook
By Richard, IvyWise Master Tutor
The college prep process can often be complicated, and the complexities of this journey can make it easy to overlook a few key tips that have a great record of helping students raise their ACT and SAT scores and pave the way toward long-term success.
SAT vs. ACT: Which Exam Is “Better?”
Many Families Believe Colleges Prefer One Exam Over Another
A common question that families consider when their college-bound students are preparing for the SAT or ACT is “which test is better?” Or “are the ACT and SAT considered equally in the application review process?” There’s been a long-held myth that one test is favored over the other, however, that’s simply not the case.
ACT Changes for International Students
Here’s What International Students Taking the ACT Can Expect in 2018
The ACT is shaking things up this year for international test-takers. Starting in September 2018, the ACT is transitioning to computer-based testing for all international students, meaning students will need to take their entire examination on the computer (unless the student has approved accommodations that approve them for paper testing).
What Students Need to Know About Superscoring
Here Is The IvyWise Guide To Superscoring With Instructions On How To Send SAT And ACT Score Reports
A question we often receive is “what is superscoring?” College-bound students are often confused about what it means to superscore, which colleges do it, and how it impacts submitting their SAT or ACT scores. But we’re here to help! Here’s what students need to know about the logistics of superscoring and how it may improve your score profile when applying to college.
An ACT Guide for Parents and Students
The New Summer Test Date Can Help Rising Seniors Finish Their Testing Before The School Year
Juniors: Still need to take the ACT but worried you’re running out of time? Fear not! You now have more chances than ever to wrap up your test prep before senior year, even with the school year coming to a close. This year will mark the first administration of the July ACT, which will be held on July 14.
How to Weigh Testing Accommodations in Your Test Prep
For Students Requiring Testing Accommodations, It’s Important To Consider Your Options Along With Your Test Prep Plan
According to The College Board, nearly 160,000 requests for testing accommodations were made in 2015-16. For students with learning disabilities or differences (LDs), deciding which college entrance exam – the SAT or the ACT – is the best fit for their needs can be extra challenging as they must navigate additional considerations, like applying to accommodations. While one test isn’t preferable over the other for every LD – everyone is an individual – there are some elements that make one test for preferable over another depending on students’ needs and available accommodations.
SAT and ACT Prep: How Many Practice Tests Should I Take?
Take Multiple SAT and ACT Practice Tests As Part of Your Test Prep Plan
Practice tests are an integral part of any test ACT prep program, especially when you’re preparing for the SAT or ACT. Regardless of the test you plan to take, practice exams give you an opportunity to challenge your skills and gauge your progress.
Test Prep 101: Common ACT Math Mistakes
Improve Your Performance on the ACT Math Section By Avoiding These Common Mistakes By: Priyam, IvyWise Master TutorThe spring semester is a big test prep season, and for a lot of students, the math section of either the ACT or SAT can be challenging – and often the difference between their goal scores or slightly missing the mark. There are a number of mistakes that students make on the ACT Math section that can be avoided with proper test prep and guidance.
Test Prep FAQ: Can You Reschedule Your SAT or ACT?
Consider Rescheduling Your SAT or ACT Exam Date If Appropriate
The most important rule of test prep: Don’t sit for the SAT or ACT if you’re not ready. During the spring semester, students dedicate a significant amount of time preparing for a slew of exams ranging from AP exams and finals to the SAT or ACT and SAT Subject Tests. Many students may have a test prep plan in place already, but plans can change and that’s okay! Rescheduling your test date is an option, but how do you know if you should?
How to Prep for Successful SAT and ACT Practice Tests
Full-Length SAT and ACT Practice Tests Are a Key Component of Any Test Prep Plan
The spring semester is a big test prep time for college bound students, as many juniors will be taking the SAT or ACT in the coming months. Taking practice tests is an essential part of the test preparation process because the best way to prep for the SAT or ACT is to actually take them! But it’s not enough to take practice tests. Students also need to simulate the test day environment as best as they can.
Test Prep 101: Guide to the ACT Math Section
Here’s What Students Need to Know About the ACT Math Section
By IvyWise Master Tutor
If you’re preparing to take the ACT this fall, it’s important to understand the exam’s content, format, and test-taking strategies in order to maximize your performance on test day. The ACT Math section is a great entry point for students in order to understand how the ACT is organized as well as the test’s key differences from the SAT.
Test Prep 101: Guide to the ACT Science Section
Here’s What Students Need to Know About the ACT Science Section
By IvyWise Master Tutor
If you’re preparing to take the ACT this fall, it’s important to understand the exam’s content, format, and test-taking strategies in order to maximize your performance on test day. The ACT Science section has long been a source of worry for many students who do not consider themselves strong in the sciences – including those who are deciding which test to take. The ACT’s distinct ‘Science’ section is, after all, the most obvious difference between the ACT and SAT exams. So what can students expect on this portion of the ACT?
Test Prep 101: SAT and ACT Diagnostics
Students Should Take a Full-Length Diagnostic of Both the SAT and ACT
By Megan, IvyWise Tutoring Manager
With application season upon us, it’s time for sophomores and juniors to begin preparing for and taking standardized tests. The first step to preparing for the SAT or ACT is to decide which test is the best fit for your skills and abilities. While there are countless articles comparing the SAT and ACT and why you should take a certain exam, in reality the tests are incredibly similar. Ultimately, there is no clear sign of which test to prepare for without taking diagnostics of each exam.
Innovative Free Apps To Help You Step Up Your SAT and ACT Vocabulary
Utilize Free Resoures To Supplement Your Test Prep
By Megan, IvyWise Tutoring Manager
Expanding your vocabulary is important in high school, especially when preparing for the SAT or ACT, as they both have sections that will test your reading skills and your knowledge of certain words and their definitions. There are a number of free apps that students can use to enhance their vocabulary and make the most of their test prep.
How Many Times Should I Take the SAT or ACT?
Students Should Avoid Taking College Entrance Exams Too Many Times
Junior year is a big testing year for college bound students, and as they prepare for the SAT or ACT many students might not be taking the test for the first time. It’s not uncommon for students to take the SAT or ACT multiple times, but how many times is too many?
Test Prep 101: Guide to the ACT Reading Section
Here’s What Students Need to Know About the ACT Reading Section
By IvyWise Master Tutor
If you’re preparing for the ACT with the goal of raising your score on the ACT Reading section, it’s important to know what’s new and how to approach the passages and questions in this section of the exam.
New ACT Redbook 2018: What’s the Lowdown?
Here’s What Students Preparing for the ACT Need to Know About the 2018 Redbook
The makers of the ACT released a new version of their own preparation ‘Redbook’ this past June. While it is mostly resembles that of the previous version, the new release is a great opportunity to discuss how students planning to take the ACT can best make use of the book while preparing for the exam.
SAT and ACT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines 2017-18
Here’s When You Can Take the SAT and ACT
Preparing for the SAT or ACT is a major aspect of the college admissions process, and part of determining the best test prep strategy is to know exactly when you plan to take these college entrance exams. We’ve pulled together the SAT and ACT test dates and registration deadlines for the 2017-18 school year so that college-bound students can access this information in one place – and better prepare for testing this fall and next spring.
Test Prep 101: Guide to the ACT English Section
Here’s What Students Need to Know About the ACT English Section
By IvyWise Master Tutor
Are you preparing for the ACT this summer? Understanding the exam’s content, format, and strategies to maximize your performance on test day is important in order to make the most of your test prep and, in the end, reach your goal score.
SAT and ACT Announce Changes for 2017-18 Testing Season
SAT to Limit International Test Dates, ACT Adding July Administration
Last year saw some big changes for the SAT, and now both the College Board, which administers the SAT, and the ACT have announced changes for the 2017-18 testing season, including tighter security, new test dates, and more.
SAT and ACT Score Release Dates
Here’s When SAT and ACT Scores Come Out
For students applying to college, learning ACT or SAT scores is a big milestone in the admissions journey, and can heavily impact their college prep strategy going forward. If you’re taking the SAT or ACT this academic year, make sure you know when SAT and ACT scores are available and how that factors into your college prep timeline.
SAT and ACT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines
Here’s When You Can Take the SAT and ACT
Taking the SAT or ACT is a big element of the college admissions journey for many students, and it’s important for students and parents to know when the exams are offered, when to register, and how much it costs.
Why Juniors Should Prep for the January SAT Exam
The January 2016 SAT Is the Last Administration of the Exam in its Current FormThe changes coming to the SAT in March 2016 have left many high school juniors confused about their options and the best approach for tests and test prep. For months, we’ve urged the Class of 2017 to opt for the ACT next spring in order to avoid any uncertainties regarding implementation and scoring that come along with this major overhaul. While we still stand behind the advice for all juniors to prep for the ACT, we realize there are still some that can’t get past the urban myths that ‘some schools prefer SAT’ or ‘the SAT is more coachable than the ACT.’ So for those doubters – with one big caveat – there is still the option to take the SAT in its current format with just one more offering in January 2016.
2015 ACT Writing Test Changes
The New ACT Essay Will Be Administered For the First Time on the Sept. 12 TestWith everyone focused on the changes coming to the SAT in the spring of 2016, many have overlooked one major change coming to the ACT this fall: the essay.
Test Prep Tips for June ACT and SAT
Here’s What to Do In Order To Be Successful on June Standardized TestsAs the school year comes to a close, many students look forward to taking a much-needed break from studying and exams. However, for students taking the June ACT or SAT, the end of the school year can be an unwelcome event, as the culmination of the semester leaves them little time to prepare for these important tests. For some, the stress of end-of-year exams, AP and IB tests, and other final projects can force students to put off their test prep for the June ACT or SAT – leaving them unprepared come test-day.
ACT and SAT Test Prep Resources
Get Ready for Standardized Tests This Spring with Test Prep Tips and Practice GuidesThe SAT this Saturday will be the first standardized test of 2014, and for many high school juniors it will kick off a spring semester of heavy test-prep.