Q. Is Test Prep Useful?- Does It Make Sense to Study for the SAT and ACT?

A. While not everyone benefits from test prep, most students can increase their SAT or ACT scores - sometimes significantly - by practicing and learning strategies prior to taking the test. While this was at one point a matter of controversy (the test-writers denied the effectiveness of studying for the SAT), at this point most people tend to agree that test prep can be useful.  

While some aspects of SAT and ACT performance are difficult to improve, other sections can definitely be practiced. For example, math concepts can be reviewed, grammar rules can be studied, and vocabulary words can be memorized. Learning the timing of each test section can also be very helpful. While some students benefit by studying independently, others do well when going over specific content, strategic, or psychological issues with an expert.

How many points can be added to an SAT or ACT score? There's no definite answer to that question, as some students do not improve at all and others far exceed the norm. However, it's not unreasonable for most students to hope for an increase of several hundred points on the SAT or a couple of points on the ACT.

FAQ Index