Which test should I take? SAT or ACT

A few weeks ago, I did my best to convince you to spend 4-6 weeks at the end of this summer studying for the SAT or ACT. 

I hope it worked. I hope you’ve carved out this time for deep study. 

This week, I want to teach you how to go about actually doing it.

The first thing we need to do is to figure out which test is better for you - the SAT or ACT. Not necessarily the one you think you might like better, or the one that your sister or best friend told you would be better, but the one you will actually perform better on. 

I’d like you to find that answer in the next 2-3 weeks. 

Once that important decision is made (SAT or ACT), it’s time to map out a study schedule for July and August.

WHICH TEST SHOULD I TAKE?

How do you know which test is better for you — the SAT or ACT? 

The best way to find out is by taking a legitimate diagnostic (or practice) test for both the SAT and ACT – within the next month. I’d like you to take them only 1 or 2 weeks apart. 

Importantly, I don’t want you to use your PSAT score as a substitute for a practice SAT. 

The whole idea here is to get an apples-to-apples comparison on how you will do on the exams, and using a PSAT from 7 months ago is not a good comparison. 

I also want to make sure that you take the new tests under the same exact conditions. 

You should attempt to take these practice tests on the same day (Sundays are usually a good bet), the same time of day (ideally about 8 or 9am), the same room (a quiet room with no distractions), the same lighting, the same calculator, the same everything. 

No eating, no petting the dog, no playing on your phone, nothing but test-taking. 

Try to simulate real test-taking conditions as much as you can. You want to eliminate as many variables as possible. This will give you the best apples-to-apples comparison. 

In our case, I would take my sons to my office on a Sunday morning, put them in an empty conference room with their laptop and the link to the test, and wait for them to emerge 3 hours later.

That is as close to test-taking conditions as you can get.

WHERE DO I FIND PRACTICE TESTS?

If you are a ServeWeller, reach out to me so I can personally introduce you to my trusted test preparation partner whom I’ve worked with for many years. 

They will find a time that’s convenient for you to take both tests. Ideally, 1-2 weeks apart. 

These will be at-home, diagnostic tests that you can take on “your” schedule using an online proctor tool that guides you through every timed section of the test. 

Once you complete the test and submit your score sheet, they will grade the test and send you back a comprehensive report on how you did, what questions you got right and wrong, where you guessed, and where you need to focus your efforts. 

This is a completely free service, for both the SAT and ACT. 

I’ve had hundreds of ServeWellers, including my sons, all go through this same process - and it’s fantastic. My partner, who provides this free service, does offer SAT/ACT tutoring services should you be interested, but there is no obligation. 

Some students have a gut feeling about which test would be better for them. Some base their decision on a friend’s advice, or an IG post, or a sibling’s opinion. 

I prefer to let the data do the talking. 

How well did you actually perform on each test? For real. 

This test is too important to be lazy. You need real data to make an informed decision. 

Don’t rely on outdated information (e.g. PSAT), or a friend, or a hunch. 

Some students clearly do better on one test than the other. Other students, I’d say the majority, do about the same on both. 

When you get your personal score summaries back, they will also advise which test (if either) is better-suited to you based on all of their expertise in the testing industry. 

There are significant differences between the two tests (which we will address in an upcoming post), and you’d be cheating yourself if you didn’t find out which test you might naturally do better on. 

Don’t skip this step. 

If you assume you’ll do better on one test and skip the other, you may be leaving valuable points on the table.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I STUDY?

Of course, once you find out which test (if either) is better for you, and you get a refreshed baseline score, then it’s time to come up with a study plan.

This is where you will have to consider how well you did on the practice test compared to your target score. For instance, if you got a 1200 on the practice SAT and your target score is a 1350, that represents a 150-point improvement. 

• How much studying do you need to do to close this gap? 
• What type of studying will get you there? 
• Do you like to study alone?
• Or in a group setting?
• Or with a 1-on-1 tutor? 
• Or with a book?
• Or with a web-based tutor like Khan Academy?
• How motivated are you?

Each of these options have pros and cons. 

• Some are expensive, others are free
• Some take planning, others are convenient
• Some are intense, others are laid back 
• Some are long-term, others are short-term

You’ll have to decide how much you want to commit to this process. 

You might be wondering, How much should I study? 

I tell all of my ServeWellers that it depends on where you’re starting from and how well you want to do. As in life, there is typically a strong correlation between hard work and results.

A student who wants to do their best should probably be willing to commit part of July and all of August to significant and deep study. 

For some students, this may mean 10 hours a week. 

For others, 25+ hours a week. 

It comes down to how badly you want it.

Next week, you will automatically be transitioned to the ServeWell Academy’s junior year curriculum. I know some of you still may have some school left, but on the ServeWell calendar you have officially become a high school junior. 

Congratulations!