Standardized Testing Strategy

Standardized tests are one piece of your application, not the whole picture. But they are a piece you can control with preparation and strategy. This guide covers which test to take, when to take it, how to prepare, and when to stop.

SAT vs ACT: Which One?

The SAT and ACT are accepted equally by every college in the country. No school prefers one over the other. The question is which test suits you better.

How to Decide

Take a full-length practice test of each under timed conditions. Compare your scores using a concordance table (College Board publishes one). Most students score similarly on both. If one is clearly higher, take that one. If they are close, consider which format felt more comfortable. The ACT's science section is really a data-reading exercise, so if you are comfortable interpreting graphs and tables quickly, the ACT may suit you. If you prefer a slower pace with fewer questions, the SAT may be the better fit.

When to Take Each Test

• Sophomore spring: Take a diagnostic practice test of both the SAT and ACT to see where you stand and which format clicks.
• Junior fall: Take the PSAT in October (qualifies you for National Merit if you score well). Start serious prep for your chosen test.
• Junior spring (March-June): First official test date. This is the sweet spot: you have covered enough math in school, you have had time to prep, and you still have time to retake.
• Junior summer: If your spring score is not where you want it, use the summer for focused prep.
• Senior fall (August-October): Final attempts. October is the latest most students should test if applying regular decision. Early decision applicants should finish by October at the latest.

Superscoring Explained

Superscoring means a school takes your highest section scores from across multiple test dates and combines them into your best possible composite. Here is how it works:

• SAT example: You score 720 Math / 680 Reading on one sitting and 690 Math / 740 Reading on another. Your superscore is 720 Math + 740 Reading = 1460, even though you never scored 1460 in a single sitting.
• ACT example: Your best English is 34, best Math is 31, best Reading is 33, best Science is 30, across three test dates. Your superscore composite is 32, even if your best single-sitting composite was only 30.

Most selective schools superscore the SAT. ACT superscoring is less universal but growing. Check each school's policy. Because of superscoring, taking the test 2-3 times is strategically sound: you only need to improve one section to raise your composite.

Test-Optional: What It Really Means

Since 2020, many schools have gone test-optional. This does not mean tests do not matter. It means you choose whether to submit them. Here is how to think about it:

• If your scores are at or above the school's 50th percentile: submit them. They strengthen your application.
• If your scores are below the 25th percentile: do not submit them. They will work against you.
• If your scores are between the 25th and 50th percentile: it depends on the rest of your application. If everything else is strong, consider submitting. If you need every edge you can get, hold them back.

Important context: at many selective schools, admitted students who submitted scores had higher acceptance rates than those who did not. This does not mean test-optional is a trap, but it does mean strong scores still help. If you can test well, test.

Prep Strategies

Self-Study (Free to $50)

• Khan Academy (free, official SAT partner) offers personalized practice plans linked to your PSAT scores.
• Official practice tests from College Board (SAT) and ACT.org are the gold standard. Use real tests, not third-party knock-offs, for your timed practice runs.
• Best for: self-motivated students who can stick to a schedule, diagnose their own weaknesses, and stay disciplined.

Online Course ($100-$400)

• Structured curriculum with video lessons, practice sets, and progress tracking.
• Best for: students who need structure but not one-on-one attention. Good middle ground on cost.

Tutoring ($50-$200/hour)

• Personalized instruction focused on your specific weaknesses.
• Best for: students who plateau after self-study, who have specific section weaknesses, or who need accountability.
• A good tutor should diagnose patterns in your errors, not just review answers. If your tutor is mostly going through problems you missed, find a better tutor.

The Universal Prep Plan

1. Diagnostic test: Take a full practice test under real conditions. No extra time, no phone, timed sections.
2. Analyze errors: Categorize every wrong answer. Was it a content gap, a careless mistake, a time management issue, or a question you did not understand?
3. Target weaknesses: Spend 80% of your prep time on your weakest areas. Practicing what you are already good at feels productive but is not.
4. Practice tests every 2-3 weeks: Take full tests to build stamina and track progress. Review every error after each test.
5. Start 2-3 months before your test date. Cramming does not work for standardized tests. Consistent practice over weeks does.

Score Goals by School Tier

These are approximate ranges for competitive applicants. Scores alone do not get you in or keep you out, but they set the table.

When to Stop Retaking

Diminishing returns are real. Here is when to stop:

• Your score is at or above the 75th percentile of your target schools. Going higher will not meaningfully help your application.
• You have taken the test 3 times with no improvement. A fourth attempt is unlikely to change the picture. Your time is better spent on essays, activities, or other parts of your application.
• Test prep is consuming your life. If you are spending 20+ hours a week on prep and it is affecting your grades, activities, or mental health, step back. The difference between a 1450 and a 1500 is not worth your wellbeing.
• You have plateaued. If your last three practice tests are within 20-30 points of each other, that is likely your range. Accept it and move on.