SAT and ACT Information

Applying to College
1

SAT

  1. How many times can I take the SAT? How many times are we allowed to take it before we must pay for it?
  2. Which do you recommend taking first, the SAT or ACT? I plan on taking one of the two new year as a sophomore.
  3. If I take the ACT first, when do you think I should take the SAT?
  4. How many practice tests do you recommend I take before taking the actual SAT?
  5. Any tips? Specifically on reading, writing, and math?

ACT

  1. How many times can I take the ACT? How many times are we allowed to take it before we must pay for it?
  2. Any tips? Specifically, on reading, writing and math?

Thank you so much for your time! Your feedback is greatly valued.

2

Take a practice test of both the ACT and SAT. See if you do better on one and/or prefer the format of one. Then focus on one. There is no need to take both. The goal is to minimize the time you spend on standardized testing. HS GPA is more important.

Both SAT and ACT allow low income students to get fee waivers thru their HS GC. Typically students who qualify for fee waivers, also qualify for free lunch programs at their HS. Will you qualify for a fee waiver?

You can take two SATs with a fee waiver, and six subject tests. Then you must pay.
You can take as many paid SATs as you like, but do note that a few colleges require your entire testing history.
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/fees/fee-waivers

You can take a paid ACT up to twelve times, and you can take up to two with fee waivers, again if you qualify.
http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration/fees.html

Khan Academy has good, free prep for the SAT. There are also many prep books, once libraries open take a look at those and see which ones appeal to you.

@homerdog @lindagaf Can you share some good test prep sites/books?

3

This is what my sons tutor used and likes.

https://www.manhattanprep.com/college/act-5lb-book/

4

IMO, the best resources for self study on both tests are:

  1. Official study guides
  2. Official tests, available free on College Board. One test is free on ACT’s website, but if you hunt around you can find others.
  3. Tutor Ted for ACT (for basics). Not as much a fan of their SAT guides.
  4. SAT Prep Black Book
  5. Many people swear by Erica Meltzer’s study guides
  6. For the Love of ACT Science

There are also some very useful videos on youtube. Khan Academy can be helpful too.