How to Prep for BOTH the SAT and ACT

We know the college admissions process is arduous and anxiety-inducing, and the prospect of taking BOTH standardized tests may seem overwhelming. You don't have to take both the SAT and ACT to get into college, but based on current student trends, we recommend taking both tests if it's realistic for you.

That does not mean spending twice the money and twice the time on test prep! We packaged our flexible, interactive online prep programs together for only $99 to make it cheaper and easier for students to prepare for both tests — and earn high scores. Here's how:

1. Choose either the ACT or SAT to start:

• Read about the differences between the tests .
• Take our quiz: Should I Take the SAT, ACT, or Both?
• Try a free ACT practice test or free SAT practice test.

2. Find a test date for your exam of choice that will allow you 3-6 months to prep:

• SAT Test Dates
• ACT Test Dates
• Don't forget to register!
• If your school has school-day testing, you already know your test date. Mark it on your calendar.

3. Set your target score.

• Choose 3 or more colleges where you plan to apply.
• Find the middle score ranges of the most recent entering class on the "Admissions" tab of our school profiles (you can also find out if your dream schools superscore the ACT and SAT on this tab).
• Set a goal score that falls within those ranges.

4. Prep! We already mentioned our awesome SAT and ACT Self-Paced courses, but you have lots of options:

• In-person prep courses
• Private tutoring
• SAT and ACT study test prep books (check out Cracking the SAT and Cracking the ACT)

5. Set a date for the other exam about a month after you take the first one.

• Because the SAT and ACT test essentially the same content, you'll only need a month to learn test-specific content (like ACT Science or SAT No-Calculator Math strategies.
• Don't put off taking the 2nd test too long—you want to build on all the great prep you did for the first exam.
• Fortunately, either the SAT or ACT is offered every other month (except January).

Build the right test prep plan for you

Our experts will help you build a prep plan that's customized to your score goals, study habits, and schedule.