SAT

Choosing between the SAT and ACT is a key decision in the college admissions process. In 2025, understanding both tests helps you pick the one that plays to your strengths. Key Differences The SAT is adaptive and provides a calculator for all math. The ACT has a Science section and tighter time limits. How to…

How SAT Scoring Works The Digital SAT is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600, split evenly between two sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (200–800) and Math (200–800). Your composite score is the sum of these two section scores. Here’s what happens behind the scenes: your raw score (number of correct answers) gets converted…

Is a 100-Point Improvement in 30 Days Realistic? Yes — for many students. If you’re scoring in the 900–1300 range on the SAT (or 18–28 on the ACT), a 100-point SAT jump or 3–4 point ACT increase in 30 days is achievable with focused, strategic studying. The key word is “strategic.” Thirty days of unfocused…

SAT vs. ACT at a Glance Before diving into the details, here’s the big picture: the SAT and ACT are both accepted by virtually every U.S. college, and neither is “better” than the other. The right test is whichever one plays to your strengths. Most students score comparably on both, but some find a meaningful…

Test Anxiety Is Normal — and Manageable If your heart races, your palms sweat, or your mind goes blank when you sit down for a standardized test, you’re not alone. Studies estimate that 25–40% of students experience significant test anxiety, and it measurably impacts performance. Research published in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that…

When Should You Start Preparing? The short answer: earlier than you think, but not as intensely as you fear. Most students take the SAT or ACT in the spring of junior year, with potential retakes in fall of senior year. But the best-prepared students build foundational skills starting in freshman and sophomore year — not…