3 Key Ways to Maximize Your SAT or ACT Score

Last updated May 7, 2021 
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Parents in the Greater Philadelphia Area frequently ask us how their high school students can maximize their scores on the SAT and ACT. Since 1992, thousands of college-bound students have completed A+ Test Prep and Tutoring’s one-to-one test preparation program and have averaged score improvements of 150 points on the SAT and 4-points on the ACT.

To maximize your SAT or ACT test-score, we suggest that you focus on three main areas: Background Knowledge, Strategy, and Practice. Diligent SAT/ACT test-preparation students who embrace these three components will have the best chance of maximizing their scores, and higher standardized test-scores greatly increase those students’ chances of acceptance into their desired college or university.

Review Background Knowledge

Many of the SAT and ACT’s questions require a solid academic foundation. Even more difficult questions have their roots in elementary concepts of English and Math. Therefore, reviewing background knowledge is crucial for success on the exam. Consider taking SAT or ACT diagnostic tests to understand your strengths to foster and weaknesses to review.

A+ offers free diagnostic at-home SAT and ACT exams, as well as free proctored practice exam sessions.

Develop a Strategy

As surprises can slow test-takers down, it’s best to understand what kinds of questions you can expect to see on test day. What’s the best approach to each question type? How will you manage your time on each section? Which questions should be first priority? Should you, or should you not, skip questions?

Students who perform best on the SAT and ACT know beforehand how the test is organized, how many questions to answer, when to make an educated guess, and when to keep moving. Creating a personalized strategy and enacting it on test day is important in maximizing your overall score.

Practice, Practice, Practice

There’s no way around it: we rely on memory, and the best aid to memory is practice. This is the third and most important component to test preparation success. Continually practicing test-questions from real SAT and ACT exams is the best way to improve your test scores.  At A+, we use real test questions from previously administered SAT and ACT tests.

The more you practice and prepare for the big event, the more likely you are to reach your full potential.

We hope that you find these tips helpful! For more information, check out our free tip sheets, or contact us.

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