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Tag: Test Prep

  • SAT vs ACT: Which One Should You Take?

    SAT vs ACT: Which One Should You Take?

    SAT or ACT?

    Parents and students start the college process by comparing the SAT and ACT tests. The SAT and ACT cover generally the same topics, and both scores are used for college admissions decisions and the awarding of merit based scholarships.

    In the past, schools on the coasts generally gravitated towards the SAT while those in the midwest preferred the ACT. Now, however, the college application landscape has changed and schools have become increasingly flexible; both tests are now widely accepted across all US colleges.

    Don’t let the question of SAT or ACT keep you up at night! Know the basics about each test, your strengths and weaknesses as a test taker, and focus on!

    Comparing the SAT and ACT:

    The ACT has a Science section and the SAT does not, but on the ACT Science is now optional.

    The SAT is fully digital and adaptive. You take it in the Bluebook app, and a calculator is allowed on every math question.

    Aspect SAT ACT
    Why Take It Colleges use SAT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships. Colleges use ACT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships.
    How You Take It Fully digital. You test in College Board’s Bluebook app on a laptop or tablet, at a test center. Paper or online at the test center, depending on the date and the site.
    Test Structure Reading and Writing, then Math. Each section is split into two modules. English, Math, Reading, then optional Science. Optional Writing comes last.
    Length 2 hours, 14 minutes plus a 10-minute break 2 hours, 5 minutes for the three core sections. 2 hours, 45 minutes if you add Science. Writing adds another 40 minutes.
    Adaptive? Yes. How you do on the first module of a section decides whether the second module is harder or easier. No. Every student sees the same questions in the same order.
    Reading Short passages, usually a paragraph, with one question each, mixed in with the grammar questions. 36 questions across four passage sets.
    Science None as its own section, though charts and data show up inside Reading and Writing and Math. Optional since 2025. 40 questions in 40 minutes, testing how you read experiments, charts and tables rather than science you memorized.
    Math Algebra, advanced math, problem solving and data analysis, plus a smaller slice of geometry and trigonometry. Algebra, geometry, trigonometry, probability and statistics.
    Calculator Policy Allowed on every math question. Bluebook has a Desmos graphing calculator built in, or you can bring your own approved one. Allowed on every math question.
    Formula Sheet Provided, and you can pull it up on screen at any point during Math. Not provided. You memorize your formulas.
    Essay None. College Board discontinued the SAT Essay in 2021. Optional Writing test, scored 2 to 12. It does not count toward your composite.
    How It’s Scored Scored on a scale of 400 to 1600, with each of the two sections worth 200 to 800. Composite of 1 to 36, which is the average of English, Math and Reading only. Science is reported separately and pairs with Math for a STEM score.

    –compiled from current College Board and ACT test specifications

    Here’s an interesting analogy comparing the two tests:

    The ACT is like lifting a 5 pound weight ten times while the SAT feels like lifting 25 pound weights twice. Both are quite draining, but in different ways. The ACT is extremely fast paced while the SAT requires you to think more and deeply.

    Important note: Be sure to look carefully at admission preferences and requirements to double check which of the tests your prospective college accepts.

    According to the College Board, while both tests measure what you learned in high school, the SAT is a better indicator of skills you will actually need to succeed in college and beyond. Instead of focusing on how well you can recall information, the SAT emphasizes one’s ability to apply it in real world scenarios. This is why the SAT provides everyday math formulas while the ACT expects you to memorize them.

    Test Format

    Structure and Timing SAT ACT
    Testing time 2 hours, 14 minutes 2 hours, 5 minutes core. 2 hours, 45 minutes with Science. Add 40 minutes for optional Writing.
    Structure 2 sections, 2 modules each 3 core sections, plus optional Science and optional Writing
    Number of questions 98 131 core, or 171 with Science
    Time per question About 1 minute, 22 seconds on average About 57 seconds on average
    Score range Composite 400 to 1600, with Reading and Writing and Math each 200 to 800 Composite 1 to 36 from English, Math and Reading. Science and STEM scores reported separately. Writing domain scores 2 to 12.
    Section length and timing Reading and Writing: two 32-minute modules of 27 questions each, so 54 questions in 64 minutes. Math: two 35-minute modules of 22 questions each, so 44 questions in 70 minutes. English: 50 questions in 35 minutes. Math: 45 questions in 50 minutes. Reading: 36 questions in 40 minutes. Science (optional): 40 questions in 40 minutes.

    –compiled from current College Board and ACT test specifications

    Test Timing

    The SAT gives you 98 questions and the ACT gives you 131 in its three core sections, so timing is one of the most important things to weigh when you pick a test. You get roughly 1 minute and 22 seconds per question on the SAT and roughly 57 seconds per question on the ACT. The gap used to be wider, because the shorter ACT introduced in 2025 cut the question count without cutting the time by as much. Reading in particular went from about 53 seconds per question to about 67.

    One more thing worth knowing before you choose: the SAT is adaptive, so the second module of each section adjusts to how you did on the first. The ACT is not. If you like the idea of a test that meets you where you are, that is a point for the SAT. If you would rather see a fixed test you can practice against exactly, that is a point for the ACT.

    A little bit stressed out?

    I feel you. Test taking is honestly one of the worst things about the college process in my experience. We love spending summertime huddled over practice tests and test prep books and watching everybody else have fun. Are you feeling this FOMO? Do you find yourself “reading” through grammar rules only to realize that you’ve actually just been looking at the words and not processing anything? It happens to the best of us. Want to crush the ACT or SAT in the next few weeks? We got you. Prepmedians teaches ACT and SAT test prep through entertaining and engaging ways with sketch comedy, music, rap, and more. We’ll get you through those boring summer study days in no time. Check us out today!

  • SAT Math vs. ACT Math: The Ins and the Outs

    SAT Math vs. ACT Math: The Ins and the Outs

    What’s in this guide?

    Which is easier? Which is faster? Which one am I more likely to score higher in?

    This guide will help pilot you in your search for which test to take, but ultimately, it comes down to which math section is right for you?

    In this guide, we’re going to break down the similarities and the differences between the SAT Math section and the ACT math section and help you decide which standardized test best suits you.

    Organization

    Before diving into the specifics, let’s first look at each math section from an aerial view and see how it’s structured.

    SAT Math Organization

    The SAT is fully digital. You take it in College Board’s Bluebook app at a test center, and it has two sections that always appear in the same order: Reading and Writing first, then Math. The whole test runs 2 hours and 14 minutes, with a 10-minute break between the two sections, and Math takes up 70 minutes of that. Once a module is over you cannot go back to it. Time management is key.

    Here’s an overview of the SAT Math section:

    SAT Math Order of Appearance on Test # of Questions Total Time Time per Question
    Module 1 3rd (after both Reading and Writing modules) 22 35 minutes 95 seconds
    Module 2 4th 22 35 minutes 95 seconds

    Note: The Time per Question column is only a general guideline. On average you get about 95 seconds per question in each module, but you should spend more on some and less on others.

    The big thing to understand about the digital SAT is that it is adaptive. Math module 1 is a mix of easy, medium and hard questions. How you do on it decides whether module 2 is the harder version or the easier version, and that in turn sets the ceiling on your Math score. In practice this means module 1 matters more than it looks like it should. Do not burn all your time on one stubborn question early.

    A calculator is allowed on every single math question. Bluebook has a Desmos graphing calculator built in, and you can also bring your own approved calculator. The no-calculator section that older prep books talk about no longer exists; College Board retired it when the test went digital in 2024.

    You also get more time per question on SAT Math than on ACT Math, which is worth weighing if checking your work is what saves you (we’ll come back to this later in the guide).

    ACT Math Organization

    The ACT has three core sections that always appear in the same order: English, Math, Reading. Science is now optional and comes fourth if you take it, and optional Writing comes last. The three core sections take 2 hours and 5 minutes, or 2 hours and 45 minutes if you add Science. Like the SAT, once a section is over you cannot go back to it. Time management is key.

    Here’s an overview of the ACT Math section:

    ACT Section Order of Appearance # of Questions Total Time Time Per Question
    Math 2nd (after English) 45 50 minutes 67 seconds

    Note: The Time per Question column is only a general guideline. On average you get about 67 seconds per question on ACT Math.

    These numbers changed with the shorter ACT that rolled out in 2025. Math went from 60 questions in 60 minutes to 45 questions in 50 minutes, so you actually get a little more time per question than students did on the old test, and answer choices dropped from five to four. That second change matters more than it sounds: a blind guess is now a 1-in-4 shot instead of 1-in-5, and crossing out even one wrong choice pays off faster. ACT also cut back on long word problems. If your prep book says 60 questions in 60 minutes with five choices, it is out of date.

    The ACT Math section runs straight through with no break inside it, and it still appears right after English and right before Reading.

    Design-wise, everyone has their own preferences, so the “better” test design is the one that best works for you. If you want more time per question to solve problems and check your work, the SAT is better for you. If you would rather see a fixed, predictable test that does not change difficulty on you mid-section, the ACT is better for you.

    Question Types

    Although many of the topics covered in the SAT Math section and ACT Math section are similar, the way they are presented are drastically different. The following section will hopefully provide clarity on what to expect in the math sections when taking the SAT or ACT

    SAT Question Types

    The SAT math section is fairly straightforward that cover a broad range of topics, specifically focusing on algebra.
    In general, the SAT math tests fewer concepts/topics than the ACT math, specifically, less than 10% of SAT questions are on geometry and the SAT has fewer trigonometry questions than the ACT. However, the SAT math does have an emphasis on word problems and data analysis. Many parts of the SAT math include several questions off of one scenario.

    For example:
    The following is an example SAT algebra problem is from Khan Academy.
    Screen Shot 2019-07-08 at 2.12.27 PM

    The SAT gives you a reference sheet of formulas that you can pull up on screen at any point during Math, but we still suggest memorizing the common formulas in order to maximize time spent on solving the problems and checking your answers. The following image from the College Board shows some important formulas to remember:
    Screen Shot 2019-07-08 at 2.15.32 PM

    One unique thing about the SAT compared to the ACT is student-produced response questions, better known as grid-ins. They are about 25% of SAT Math, roughly 11 of the 44 questions. Unlike the multiple choice, you can’t really guess on these. You have to come up with an answer to the problem.

    ACT Question Types

    Like the SAT, the ACT math is also fairly straightforward. Generally, they aren’t as wordy as some SAT math questions. However, as noted earlier, there is a heavier emphasis on geometry and trigonometry on the ACT math than on the SAT math. Also, the ACT math covers a wider range of topics than the SAT math like trigonometry, matrices, and logarithms.

    For example:
    The following is an example ACT trigonometry problem is from Magoosh.
    Screen Shot 2019-07-08 at 2.22.56 PM

    Unlike the SAT, you will not be given a reference sheet, so you have to memorize all the necessary formulas before test day. That did not change with the shorter ACT.

    The trade-off between the SAT and ACT is that the ACT covers a wider range of topics but covers each topic less extensively than the SAT. Topically, if you’re strong in geometry or trigonometry, the ACT might be better suited for you. If you can’t remember formulas and need to rely on given formulas, the SAT might be better suited for you.

    Scoring

    Imagine this. It’s the fourth quarter. It’s a tied game, and there’s one second left on the clock. Your coach calls a play, and the ball gets inbounded to you. What do you do? You chuck it up. Really. What’s there to lose? You miss, and you might get chirped a little bit, but if you hit, you’ll be the hero.

    This analogy may seem weird, but it is an applicable testing strategy to maximize your score in both the SAT and the ACT. Both the SAT and the ACT combine the correct and incorrect answers to give you a raw score which is then converted into a scaled score. This section in this guide will break down the scoring processes of both the SAT and the ACT.

    SAT Scoring

    As explained earlier, the SAT Math section is broken down into multiple-choice questions and grid-in questions. For each question, you will receive the following on your raw score:
    – +1 for each correct answer
    – +0 for each incorrect answer

    Note: there is no penalty for incorrect or blank answers on the SAT. That’s why on the multiple-choice questions, when the shot clock is running down and you’re unsure about a question, you should just chuck it up and guess one of the answers. Hitting on one of these guesses won’t make you a hero but at least you’ll get a higher SAT score!

    The total raw score on the SAT Math section converts to a scaled score between 200-800. With the scaled scores, you don’t have to get every question right in order to achieve a perfect score on the math section. They’re scaled. The scaled score will then give you your percentile ranking which is basically how you stack-up compared to the rest of the people that took the SAT.

    For example, if you scored in the 50th percentile, you’re dead on average: you scored better than 50% of all people who took the SAT and 50% scored higher than you.

    Fun fact: For each multiple choice question guess, you’re getting 0.25 points added to your raw score (the points are not actually added to your raw score) so for every 4 multiple choice questions that you guess, on average, you’re getting 1 point added to your raw score!

    Note: A good test taking strategy is to cross out answers you know are incorrect. If you cross out an incorrect answer, those guesses discussed above result in even more “points” added to your raw score!

    ACT Scoring

    Every question on the ACT Math section is multiple-choice with four different answer choices. (It was five until the test was shortened in 2025.) For each question on the ACT, you will earn the following on your raw score:

    • +1 raw point for each correct answer
    • +0 raw point for each incorrect answer

    Note: Like the SAT, there is no penalty for incorrect or blank answers on the ACT so the same guessing strategy for questions you’re unsure of as mentioned earlier applies here too. And now that ACT Math has four answer choices rather than five, blind guessing is worth the same on both tests: a 1-in-4 shot.

    The total raw score on the ACT converts to a scaled score out of 36. Your Math scaled score is one of the three that get averaged into your composite, along with English and Reading. Science no longer counts toward the composite; if you take it, it is reported on its own and also combines with Math into a STEM score. Like the SAT, you don’t have to get every question right in order to achieve a perfect score. The score is scaled. The scaled score will then give you your percentile ranking which is how you stack-up against everyone else that took the ACT.

    SAT Scores and Percentiles vs. ACT Scores and Percentiles

    Because scores are scaled, you do not have to get every answer correct to hit a high score, and the percentile you land in is not the same as the percentage of questions you got right.

    What we will not do here is hand you a raw-score conversion chart. Those charts get passed around a lot and they are close to useless, for two reasons. First, every test form scales differently. A raw 39 is not a fixed scaled score; it depends on how hard that particular form was. Second, both tests have been redesigned since most of those charts were written, so the raw-score totals they are built on no longer exist. SAT Math is 44 questions now, not 58, and ACT Math is 45, not 60.

    The honest version is this: take an official full-length practice test, score it with the conversion table that comes with that specific test, and use the result as your baseline. College Board publishes full practice tests inside Bluebook, and ACT publishes official practice material for the shorter format. Those are the only conversions that will tell you anything real.

    For rough orientation while you plan, the SAT total average sits around 1050 and the ACT composite average sits around 19 to 20. Scoring above those puts you in the top half of test-takers. Anything more precise than that has to come from an official practice test.

    Summary

    The SAT Math:

    • Two adaptive modules of 22 questions, 35 minutes each, 44 questions in 70 minutes total
    • Comes after both Reading and Writing modules, so it is the second half of the test
    • About 95 seconds per question
    • Module 1 decides whether module 2 is the harder or easier version, which sets your score ceiling
    • Calculator allowed on every question, with Desmos built into Bluebook
    • Wrong answers aren’t penalized (guess!)
    • Multiple-choice questions with 4 answer choices, plus grid-ins (about 25% of the section) where you type your own answer
    • Reference sheet of formulas available on screen throughout Math
    • Heavy emphasis on algebra, lighter on geometry and trigonometry
    • More emphasis on word problems and data analysis than the ACT

    The ACT Math:

    • Appears second, right after the English section
    • 45 questions, 50 minutes (about 67 seconds per question)
    • Not adaptive. Everyone sees the same questions.
    • Calculator allowed through the whole section
    • Only multiple-choice, with 4 answer choices since the 2025 redesign
    • Wrong answers aren’t penalized (guess!)
    • No formulas provided
    • Larger emphasis on geometry and trigonometry
    • Wider range of topics covered than the SAT, but each topic covered less extensively
    • Counts toward your composite along with English and Reading, and pairs with Science for a STEM score if you take Science

    So Which One Should I Take?

    Ultimately, the test you should take comes down to which test suits your strengths. Each test has its own pros and cons for each specific person. If unsure, we recommend taking at least one practice SAT and ACT practice test and comparing your scores. I know. What was the point of reading this guide then? At the end of the day planning can only get you so far, and the results from your practice is the only thing that can give you definitive results. If one score is drastically higher than the other, there you go.

    However, that’s not to say that just because you score higher in one math section than the other, that’s your test. What matters is total score so even if you score lower on the SAT math than the ACT math, as long as your SAT overall score is higher, then the SAT is the better option for you.

    Standardized testing is all about balance, from balancing your time while taking the test to answer the most amount of questions correctly to finding which test holistically best suits you. Just because you’re strong on one area, doesn’t mean you’ll crush the SAT/ACT.

    And even if you don’t achieve the scores you desire, just note that only practice, diligence, and preparation will help you crush the SAT/ACT and achieve your testing potential. For more in-depth teaching about the SAT/ACT, check out our website Prepmedians to learn more about everything you need to know!

  • Common Myths About ACT/SAT

    Common Myths About ACT/SAT

    Myth 1:

    The SAT is more accepted among colleges than ACT.

    NO! A common myth is that top-tier schools tend to prefer SAT over ACT. But in reality, all schools accept and look at ACT and SAT in the same scale. The preference of students to take SAT or ACT tends to rely on students’ resident states. The ACT is more popular in the Midwest than the SAT, considering many states in the Midwest require mandatory ACT testing. Students from the West or the East coast tend to prefer the SAT over the ACT. So, the difference in proportion of ACT and SAT scores among the accepted pool in top-tier schools is caused more by the personal preference of students rather than by the preference of colleges.

    Myth 2:

    The October and December ACT/SATs are harder because more seniors tend to take them last minute.

    NO! There were comparative studies done about the average scores from one testing month to another and October had a lower average than May. Thus, the rumors about easier testing dates started running wild. But these testing dates keep changing. Sometimes it’s December with the lowest average and sometimes it’s June. Any student might find one test slightly easier than the other. One section or even one question could seem easier. But that opinion is different for every student. So, don’t pick a date based on this myth. Instead, pick a date that best works with your schedule.

    Myth 3:

    ACT is only for people who have a good science background.

    NO! And as of 2025 the Science section is optional anyway, so this myth has even less to stand on than it used to. If you do take Science, it tests your ability to read and analyze passages, charts, tables, and graphs. It is not trying to test your in-depth knowledge and understanding of all areas of science. While it does present passages and experiments of science fields like biology, chemistry and others, it is your reasoning and reading comprehension skills that will actually help you in this section (not your hard science knowledge!).
    P.S. The SAT tests your ability to analyze data and graphs too. It does so in a more hidden way by mixing it with other sections.

    Myth 4:

    The ACT is “easier” than the SAT.

    NO! The ACT is not necessarily easier, it’s just that the questions tend to be more straightforward. Students who take the SAT and the ACT with an equal amount of preparation for both tend to score equivalently on both. The SAT used to have a no-calculator section, but that went away when the test went digital in 2024. A calculator is now allowed on every math question on both tests, and the SAT even builds a Desmos graphing calculator right into the app. It is worth exploring both tests to see which one is better for you! You can prepare for both at Prepmedians.

    Myth 4.5:

    Now that ACT Science is optional, you should skip it.

    Not so fast. Science no longer counts toward your ACT composite, which is the number most people mean when they say “my ACT score.” But some colleges and scholarship programs still ask for it, and some STEM programs look at the separate Science and STEM scores. It is an extra 40 minutes and a few extra dollars. Check the requirements at every school on your list before you register, because adding Science later is more annoying than just taking it. If you are aiming at engineering or a science major, take it.

    Myth 5:

    You have to spend a lot of money to do well on the ACT/SAT.

    NO! Sure, there are many test prep courses require you to spend a lot of money, sometimes even many thousands of dollars. And the cost is often positively correlated with the amount of time you spend. But it’s important to note that the ACT/SAT tests your knowledge gained from all your K-12 education. Most of the topics these tests focus on, like algebra, tend to be from earlier stages of schooling than later. So, none of the topics tested by ACT/SAT are completely new. Rather, they try to gauge how well you understand the fundamental topics. It is not worth paying someone thousands of dollars to have them reteach the content that you already know and waste hundreds of hours of valuable time in that process. Rather, your focus should be on reviewing the topics and finding strategies that would help you tackle the known but hidden patterns of the test. You will find a faster review of the necessary content and strategies, all taught through entertainment at an affordable price, at Prepmedians!

  • Tips and Tricks for Each SAT Section

    Tips and Tricks for Each SAT Section

    Heads up: the SAT has been fully digital and adaptive since 2024. There is no longer a separate Reading section and Writing and Language section. Both live inside one Reading and Writing section made of two 32-minute modules of 27 questions each, and every question has its own short passage. The tips below have been updated for that format.

    SAT Reading and Writing Tips

    Tip 1: Pay Attention to Connotation and Context

    Look for words that indicate positive or negative connotation in the part of the passage that the question refers to. This will help you to eliminate at least a couple of choices even if you are not sure about the remaining answer choices.
    Context is also very important! Don’t just analyze the referred sentence in the question — look at the sentences above and below it too. Watch out for the contrast words! You should also pay attention to strong adjectives that might help you to determine connotation.

    Tip 2: Work the Short Passages One at a Time

    On the digital SAT, every Reading and Writing question comes with its own passage, usually a single paragraph, and that passage serves only that one question. The old paired “which choice provides the best evidence” questions are gone, and so is the habit of flipping back and forth across a long passage hunting for line references.

    Treat each question as a self-contained puzzle. Read the short passage once, decide in your own words what the answer should be before you look at the choices, and then find the choice that matches. Because the passages are so short, re-reading one costs you seconds, not minutes, so do not guess when a second read would settle it.

    One more thing the short-passage format gives you: questions inside each module are roughly grouped by type, moving from Craft and Structure and Information and Ideas into Standard English Conventions and Expression of Ideas. Once you notice you have crossed into grammar territory, you can switch into grammar mode and stay there.

    Tip 2.5: Respect Module 1

    The SAT is adaptive. How you do on the first module of Reading and Writing decides whether the second module is the harder version or the easier version, and that sets the ceiling on your section score. Module 1 is worth your best focus. Do not sandbag it planning to “lock in” later.

    SAT Math Tips

    Tip 3: Underline Key Parts of the Question

    Underline what you need to find in the question so you don’t get confused during the calculation process.
    Many students accidentally pick the trick answer choice because they lose track of the value that they were originally supposed to find. You can avoid this by underlining relevant parts of the question to maintain your focus.

    Tip 4: Memorize Formulas

    The SAT gives you a reference sheet of formulas that you can pull up on screen at any point during Math, but you will lose time and flow if you keep opening it. It is best to have the common formulas memorized beforehand and save the reference sheet for the ones you genuinely rarely use. This is a good reference from Khan Academy for some of the important formulas covered on the SAT.!9d6f82b33f4e0a6e192e74224a40976c332ddfbb

    SAT Grammar and Expression Tips

    Tip 5: Memorize Grammar Rules

    The grammar questions on the SAT, officially the Standard English Conventions questions, take a specific standardized approach, so it is useful to memorize the rules to reduce confusion. It’s always safer to know the exact rules than to just go by what “looks right” or “sounds right” to you. If you’re not used to some of the more archaic grammar rules tested on the SAT, you should memorize them. On the digital test there is no “NO CHANGE” option any more; you are given four complete versions of the underlined portion and you pick the one that works. That makes knowing the actual rule more important, not less, because you can no longer fall back on “the original sounded fine.” At prepmedians.com, we have a Need-to-Knows list of grammar rules with all of the grammar content you need to know to ace the section!

    Tip 6: Skim the Paragraph Before Answering Rhetorical Questions

    Expression of Ideas questions ask about purpose, transitions, and how ideas fit together rather than about a single grammar rule. They come at the end of each module, after the conventions questions.

    Two of them are worth naming. Transition questions give you a blank between two sentences and four connecting words. Do not pick by ear. Decide first what the relationship is (same direction, opposite direction, cause, example) and then choose the word that does that job. Rhetorical synthesis questions give you a bulleted list of notes and a stated goal, something like “emphasize a difference between the two studies.” The trap is that several choices are factually true; only one accomplishes the stated goal. Read the goal twice, then treat every choice as right-or-wrong against that goal alone.

    These tips are just to get your feet wet, but there are many more strategies that you can find at prepmedians.com where all the content and strategies are baked into our HD entertaining videos featuring Broadway singer-actors and sketch comedians.

  • Tips and Tricks for Each ACT Section

    Tips and Tricks for Each ACT Section

    Heads up: ACT shortened the test in 2025. English is now 50 questions in 35 minutes, Math is 45 questions in 50 minutes with four answer choices instead of five, Reading is 36 questions in 40 minutes, and Science is optional. Your composite is the average of English, Math and Reading only. The tips below have been updated for that format.

    ACT English Tips

    1: Choose the Most Concise Answer

    ACT English questions tend to test grammar rules and sentence structure in the most straightforward, logical way. So try to find the choice that provides all of the necessary information for the sentence to make grammatical sense…and nothing extra. The main goal of this is for the sentence to be clear and concise while being grammatically correct! One of our Prepmedians videos One KISS Is All It Takes covers this exact rule in more detail!

    2: Be Careful With “No Change” Answers

    Almost all the grammar questions have the option of “No Change.” This is a dangerous choice because if you aren’t aware of more obscure grammar rules, you might be tempted to choose it even when the sentence can be fixed. It is really important to double-check all other answers before settling on “No Change” as the correct choice. The best way to check all the options is to read the sentence with each option and decide. But “No Change” really is the correct answer around ~25% of the time, so don’t second-guess yourself if you are sure there isn’t an error. There are more strategies that can be found at prepmedians.com

    ACT Math Tips

    3: Pay Attention to Diagrams

    A lot of math questions tend to be accompanied with diagrams. It’s important to pay attention to these figures, as they tend to summarize all the details of the question while giving clues about which answer choices are the most logical. If a problem asks you to figure out an angle, for example, and some of the choices are acute while others are obtuse, you will be able to eliminate at least a couple of these answers just by looking at the diagram because they are drawn to scale (unless otherwise noted). If an answer is not supported by the diagram, it’s usually safe to cross it out. Even when diagrams are not part of the questions, you will be able to draw diagrams by yourself based on the details.

    4: Plug In Answers and Numbers

    If a question asks you to solve for x, simply plug each answer choice back into the original equation and see which one works. This will tell you which answer choice is the correct one without having to really solve the problem!
    For numbers, you’ll choose random numbers to plug into algebraic variables. This strategy lets you analyze the problem using real numbers instead of unknowns, and works best for questions with multiple variables. This could be useful when you are looking at the range of a function or inequalities.

    When solving really obvious questions, these strategies might slow you down instead of helping. So make sure you don’t waste your time using this strategy in questions you already know the answer for!

    ACT Reading Tips

    5: Start With Your Strengths

    The ACT Reading section is 36 questions in 40 minutes, and it is always structured the same way with four topic areas in the same order. Each topic corresponds to a passage or pair of passages.
    – Prose fiction/literary narrative
    – Social science
    – Humanities
    – Natural science

    If you have already taken practice tests and know the order of efficiency within the topics, start by reading the passage that correspond to the topic area in which you are most comfortable. The main purpose of this is to start with the topic you are able to read fast and analyze so you are not giving yourself a chance to get questions for that passage wrong. This way, you can get the questions that are easiest for you out of the way first and won’t risk running out of time before you have a chance to answer others.

    6: Skim Passages

    For some students, it might be manageable to read passages normally and still have enough time to finish the section, but you have to be a really quick and thorough reader in order to pull this off. The best strategy for most people is to skim the passages instead. In order to skim effectively, read the introduction and conclusion paragraphs as well as the first and last sentences of every body paragraph. This will give you a good overview of the main ideas and allow you to answer most questions. When you get to detail questions, you can then reread specific parts of the passage if necessary.

    ACT Science Tips

    First, a decision to make. Science has been optional since 2025 and no longer counts toward your composite. If you take it, it is reported on its own and also pairs with Math for a STEM score. Some colleges and scholarship programs still ask for it, and it costs only a few dollars and 40 extra minutes to add, so check every school on your list before you register. If you are heading toward a STEM major, take it. The tips below apply if you do.

    7: Do the Conflicting Viewpoints Section Last

    The conflicting viewpoints passage on ACT Science is usually the most time consuming for students. In case you’re not familiar with it, this part of the section asks you to read two or three passages that detail different viewpoints on a scientific issue. You’ll then answer questions about these viewpoints and how they relate to one another. Since this is more reading-intensive and can eat up a lot of time, it’s best to save this part for last so that you don’t end up missing other questions in the section that will be quicker and easier for you to answer.

    8: Rely On Visuals

    The ACT Science section has a lot of unfamiliar terminology and facts that make it seem overwhelming. The best way to attack those passages is to ignore the unfamiliar terms and go straight for the graphs, which should provide enough information for you to answer the majority of the questions you’re faced with. Most of the information you’re given is just extra stuff thrown in there to make this section seem more difficult than it really is. In reality, the science section is more about logical reasoning and data interpretation than it is about actually knowing any science. As long as you can read the graphs, you’ll be fine!

    Find out more detailed tips and strategies that can be used to excel in the test at Prepmedians

  • ACT English Section: What You Need to Know

    ACT English Section: What You Need to Know

    What is in the English section?

    The English section of the ACT tests your knowledge of standard English language conventions, elements of writing, and language. You will have 35 minutes to complete 50 multiple-choice questions, which works out to about 42 seconds per question. The section contains five passages, each with a set of varied questions that test your understanding of the topics above. These numbers changed when ACT shortened the test in 2025; it used to be 75 questions in 45 minutes. The section is shorter now, and you get a little more time per question than students used to.

    How to Prepare?

    One way to know where to start would be to take a practice test to see what categories within the English section are your strengths and weaknesses. You can solidfy your strengths because they tend to be small mistakes that can be easily fixed. Then you can find lessons, like the videos in Prepmedians to learn the weaker topics more thoroughly. Because what tops test prep through comedy and music in Prepmedians? Another way would be to learn all the topics addressed in the test from the easier fundamental grammar rules to the more difficult structure rules. The breakdown of the topics are listed below for reference.

    Grammar:

    Excelling in the grammar rules tested by the ACT is essential in doing well in the ACT English section. ACT tends to test grammar rules repeatedly. These topics are applied by everyone on a day to day life from talking to texting. It would be useful to formally learn these topics through the entertaining videos in Prepmedians. Understanding and learning these topics would allow you to ace the mechanics questions in the English section.

    Grammar/Mechanics topics:

    • Parts of Speech
    • Independent/Dependent Clauses
    • Punctuation
    • Pronouns
    • Verb Tenses and Forms
    • Subject and Verb Agreement
    • Prepositions
    • Comma Rules
    • Wordiness/Redundancy
    • Possessives
    • Parallelism
    • Dangling Modifiers

    Substance and Structure:

    These questions are different from the grammar questions as they test your reading comprehension and your ability to analyze texts. The main strategy to tackle these questions is to be able to identify what the question is asking you to do. This is a step above knowing the English conventions. To be able to excel in these questions, it is necessary to know the strategies you need to know for each type of question. These top scoring strategies to tackle all types of structure and substance question can be found in Prepmedians.

    Substance and Structure Topics:

    • Main Idea
    • Theme
    • Add/Delete
    • Transitions
    • Placement/Relevance
    • Author’s goal/technique

    Takeaways and Tips:

    • The ideal time to spend on each passage would be…9 minutes.
    • Mechanics questions should take approximately 30 seconds.
    • Substance and Structure questions should take approximately 1 minute.
    • Choosing any answer would give you a 25% better chance than not choosing an answer (guess!!).

    Checkout Prepmedians to learn these topics more in depth and get more of these tips and takeaways!

  • ACT And SAT Score Conversion

    ACT And SAT Score Conversion

    SAT to ACT Conversion

    Many students are better at the SAT than they are at the ACT and vice-versa, so if you take both tests, you’ll need to perform an SAT to ACT conversion to determine which score to send to your colleges. This chart is the official ACT and College Board concordance, and it will give you an idea of which test you are better at.

    Two things to know before you use it. First, these concordance tables were published in 2018 and have not been revised since, but ACT and College Board both still point institutions to them, so they remain the standard. Second, the ACT composite changed in 2025: it is now the average of English, Math and Reading only, because Science became optional and stopped counting. ACT’s own research says enhanced and legacy composites are close enough to keep using these tables for normal admissions purposes, but the mapping is a little less precise than it was, especially if Science was one of your strongest or weakest sections. Treat the result as a good estimate, not a verdict.

    ACT SAT SAT RANGE
    36 1590 1570-1600
    35 1540 1530-1560
    34 1500 1490-1520
    33 1460 1450-1480
    32 1430 1420-1440
    31 1400 1390-1410
    30 1370 1360-1380
    29 1340 1330-1350
    28 1310 1300-1320
    27 1280 1260-1290
    26 1240 1230-1250
    25 1210 1200-1220
    24 1180 1160-1190
    23 1140 1130-1150
    22 1110 1100-1120
    21 1080 1060-1090
    20 1040 1030-1050
    19 1010 990-1020
    18 970 960-980
    17 930 920-950
    16 890 880-910
    15 850 830-870
    14 800 780-820
    13 760 730-770
    12 710 690-720
    11 670 650-680
    10 630 620-640
    9 590 590-610
  • ACT/SAT Checklist

    ACT/SAT Checklist

    What Do I Need?

    The keyword here is need. Think about all the supplies you need to enter your testing location, to do each section of the test, fill out the answer sheet, etc. Don’t worry about the things you want to bring just yet, we’ll get there in a second. Let’s begin!

    Admission Ticket

    Every time you register to take the test online, you should receive an email with your admission ticket attached. If not, contact them immediately! This ticket has all the important information needed to enter your testing location. The ticket shows your name, test center, and the test you’re taking; so, print this out ahead of time and make sure that this is in your bag! Without the admission ticket, you will not be allowed in.
    ## Photo ID
    An acceptable photo ID is not the selfie you took yesterday on baecation with your boo thang. Your driver’s license, state ID, passport, school-issued ID, or typically anything else that is government-issued are all examples of acceptable photo ID. At your testing location, your test proctor will use your photo ID to check your admission ticket to see if the names match. Therefore, similar to your admission ticket, you will not be allowed in without an acceptable photo ID.
    ## No. 2 Pencils (ACT only)
    This one now depends on which test you are taking. The SAT is fully digital. You take it in the Bluebook app on a laptop or tablet, so there is no answer sheet and no pencil to bring, though scratch paper is provided at the test center. The ACT is still given on paper at many test centers, and there the only writing utensil you can use is a No. 2 pencil, so don’t even bother bringing pens or other types of pencils. Make sure they are freshly sharpened and bring at least four. This will also help you avoid constantly getting up and waste time sharpening your pencil.

    Side note: Also, make sure you have good erasers just in case you make mistakes. All errors have to be completely erased; otherwise, you risk affecting your score.

    Calculator

    A calculator is allowed on every math question on both tests. The SAT no longer has a no-calculator section; that went away when the test went digital in 2024, and Bluebook now has a Desmos graphing calculator built in. You can still bring your own approved calculator to either test, and you probably should if you are faster on your own. If you’re enrolled in a Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, or AP Statistics course, then you probably already have a TI-84 Plus calculator which is suitable for the test. I highly recommend that calculator along with any other scientific calculator or graphing calculator.

    What Else Can I Bring?

    The following items are nice to have but aren’t required for you to bring to the testing center come test day.

    Testing Device (SAT only)

    For the digital SAT you need a laptop or tablet with Bluebook installed and your exam already downloaded, plus your charger. Do that a few days early, not the night before, and make sure the device is fully charged when you walk in. If you do not have a device, College Board will lend you one, but the request has to go in at least 30 days before your test date, so it is worth checking that box at registration.

    Bag

    You have a couple options here. You can bring your backpack, a purse or crossover bag, or a drawstring. All are suitable bag options which will make it possible for you to keep everything you have organized and in one place. I would go for a drawstring simply because it is not too big and not too small.
    ## Snacks
    As you may know by now, there will be several 5-minute breaks throughout the tests during which you can chow down on some snacks. You cannot eat during the actual exam. That being said, use these breaks to your advantage and eat some snacks to sustain you and drink some water for optimal focus and concentration. Click here to read my other article that will help you determine snack foods to eat for memory-boosting powers.

    Do NOT Bring…

    • Any electronic devices other than your testing device and an approved calculator. For the digital SAT your laptop or tablet is required, not contraband. Phones, smartwatches and earbuds are still prohibited at both tests.
    • Dictionaries
    • Cheat sheets/notebooks

    For having any of the items above in your possession, you risk being immediately dismissed from the exam and your scores will automatically be cancelled. No refunds. Now, I know you’re thinking “How am I supposed to contact family to let them know I’ve finished?” or something else along those lines. Well, I’m not going to lie to you, I brought my cell phone. Ooooo I’m such a rebel, right? No, actually I’m pretty lame on the highest of keys. Anyways, I can’t stop you from bringing your cell phone, but just know that it should remain on silent, rather, turned off during the test and left inside your coat pocket or bag. The last thing we want is for you to be suspected of cheating, or even worse, caught doing so. There aren’t too many thieves roaming the halls of high schools stealing cell phones on exam day, so no need to worry. Your phone will do just fine without you for a couple of hours, trust me.

    If you have a disability, make sure your testing accommodations have been approved ahead of time by the College Board’s (or ACT’s) services for students with disabilities.

    Now you have all the items you need to bring with you on test day and you know what not to bring. But, how should you prepare? The answer’s simple: Prepmedians! Get started today! 🙂

  • The Night Before the ACT/SAT

    The Night Before the ACT/SAT

    Review your toughest subject

    Choose the section that you have struggled the most with throughout the test prep process and do a quick review. It could be anything from reviewing a math concept you have struggled with, glancing over grammar rules or looking over a reading passage. Whatever the quick review is, the purpose is not to teach you a brand-new concept, but rather for you to know that you have done everything you could to prepare for the test and to walk into your test the next day feeling confident.

    Eat a good dinner

    Don’t forget to eat a tasty and filling meal the night before for dinner! Maybe your favorite meal (because is there anything else that makes someone feel good before a big day?) But avoid eating anything that is too greasy to make sure you don’t end up with an upset stomach. The last thing you need is your stomach rumbling during the math section because of those chili cheese fries. For more suggestions on what kind of meal is more ideal, refer to Is your Brain Hungry by Gerrin Alexander. Try to eat at a reasonable time, so the dinner does not interfere with your sleep. Keeping your body in good condition is a vital part of being prepared for anything—including test day!

    Pack your test materials

    Checklist for the test day:
    – admission ticket to the test
    – a photo ID (check the test website for what forms of ID are acceptable—generally, a valid driver’s license or a current school ID will be fine)
    – If you are taking the ACT: at least two sharpened #2 pencils and a good eraser. The ACT is still given on paper at many test centers.
    – If you are taking the SAT: a fully charged laptop or tablet with the Bluebook app already installed and your exam already downloaded, plus your charger. The SAT has been fully digital since 2024, so there is nothing to bubble in. If you do not have a device, College Board will lend you one, but you have to request it at least 30 days before test day.
    – an approved calculator (check the test website for what types are acceptable). A calculator is allowed on every math question on both tests now. The digital SAT also has a Desmos graphing calculator built into Bluebook, but bring your own anyway if you are faster on it.
    The night before the test day, be sure to pack all the test materials that you need for the test day. You may also want to pack a healthy snack and bottled drink for the break, to keep your energy for the second half of the test. When choosing a snack, avoid anything too sweet or too salty because it will make you thirsty during the test. A healthy suggestion would be granola bars of some kind to provide you with energy since they are high in protein. Packing all the materials you need for the test the night before would save you the panic of finding everything you need moments before the test!

    Time to relax

    After packing the necessary things, don’t forget to spend some time relaxing. It can be anything from watching a favorite movie, listening to music, unwinding with a video game, or even just spending time with someone. You should probably try not to do anything physically taxing like sports because you don’t want to tire yourself out. Make sure you’re spending your evening doing something you enjoy. The important thing is to feel happy and relaxed. You’ve worked hard preparing for the test, and your mind and body need time to “recharge” before the test. While a good night’s sleep can restore your energy, free time doing something not only restful, but that makes you happy, is important to get you into the right mindset the day before the test.

    We recommend going through our 3.5 minute positive psychology exercise, which you can listen to here. This exercise will help you visualize the testing situation so that you can destress before you even get to the room.

    Get a good night’s sleep

    I am sure you have gotten this advice in all forms before. But what can you do? It is true. Scientific studies have shown how important a good night’s sleep is for improved brain functioning. Using your mind burns more calories than any form of exercise, so taking the test will have the same effect on your energy as spending the morning doing intense workouts. No wonder you need a good night’s sleep! Keep an alarm before going to sleep because the test would be early in the morning and you need to be at the testing center on time. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep, that’s the minimum recommended for adolescents, although nine or ten hours are fine as well. This might mean going to sleep earlier than you usually do, especially for a Friday night, but being well rested on test day is more than worth it!

    The morning of…

    The morning of the test, be sure to get up with enough time to eat some breakfast and get to the testing site with at least fifteen minutes to spare. A good night’s preparation, relaxation, and rest should have you feeling calm and confident for the test itself—you’ve got this!

  • ACT 2026-2027 Test Dates and Guide!

    ACT 2026-2027 Test Dates and Guide!

    HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE ACT

    If you’re wondering how to register for the ACT, go to the official ACT registration page, create or sign in to your MyACT account, and choose your test date and test center.

    2026-2027 ACT TEST DATES AND DEADLINES

    The ACT is offered seven times during the 2026-2027 testing year, and each national test is administered on a Saturday. The dates below are the official national ACT dates for the United States, U.S. territories, and Puerto Rico.

    ACT deadlines expire at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. A late fee applies after the regular registration deadline.

    ACT TEST DATE REGULAR REGISTRATION DEADLINE LATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE PHOTO UPLOAD AND STANDBY DEADLINE
    September 19, 2026 August 14, 2026 September 1, 2026 September 14, 2026
    October 17, 2026 September 11, 2026 September 29, 2026 October 12, 2026
    December 12, 2026 November 6, 2026 November 29, 2026 December 7, 2026
    February 27, 2027 January 22, 2027 February 9, 2027 February 22, 2027
    April 10, 2027 March 5, 2027 March 23, 2027 April 5, 2027
    June 12, 2027 May 7, 2027 May 25, 2027 June 7, 2027
    July 10, 2027 June 4, 2027 June 22, 2027 July 5, 2027

    Test centers can fill up, so register as early as you can instead of waiting for the deadline. Beginning in July 2027, ACT says July testing will also be available to students in New York.

    2026-2027 ACT SCORE RELEASE DATES

    ACT publishes an initial score release date for each national test. ACT says that more than 97% of scores are released within approximately two to four weeks, though scores with the optional writing test may take longer.

    ACT TEST DATE INITIAL SCORE RELEASE DATE
    September 19, 2026 October 6, 2026
    October 17, 2026 October 27, 2026
    December 12, 2026 December 22, 2026
    February 27, 2027 March 16, 2027
    April 10, 2027 April 20, 2027
    June 12, 2027 June 22, 2027
    July 10, 2027 July 20, 2027

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO KNOW

    1. ACT national test dates apply to the United States, U.S. territories, and Puerto Rico. International test dates and deadlines are different.
    2. A late fee applies after the regular registration deadline. If you miss the late deadline, you may be able to request standby testing, but a seat is not guaranteed.
    3. If you need accommodations or English learner supports, submit your request by ACT’s published accommodations deadline through its Test Accessibility and Accommodations system.
    4. If you cannot test on Saturday because of religious observance, non-Saturday testing may be available.

    PREPMEDIANS GUIDE TO CHOOSING YOUR BEST 2026-2027 ACT TEST DATE

    Deadlines for college applications and scholarships

    The first thing you should consider when deciding when to take the ACT is your college admission deadline schedule. Ideally, you will have taken the ACT at least once during your junior year before entering senior fall. Starting the test prep process during senior fall can be incredibly stressful because you will also want to focus on your grades and college essays.

    “When should I take the ACT?”

    If you’re a senior, aim to take the September 19th or October 17th ACT and then be done with testing. Many colleges have cutoffs for how late you can take the ACT, so check each college’s admissions website to see whether it will accept a score from the December 12th test.

    If you’re a junior, aim to take the December 12th ACT as your first test and then the February 27th and April 10th tests as your retakes. You may take the PSAT/NMSQT or PreACT during your junior year, and you can use those results to study more effectively for your December ACT.

    Keep retaking the ACT as many times as makes sense. If you think you’ve hit your maximum score, you can stop retesting and focus on other parts of your college application. If you have fee waivers or can comfortably pay for another test and think you can significantly improve, keep going. You may also decide to take a break over the summer after junior year and try one last time at the beginning of senior year.

    REAL RESULTS FROM PREPSTERS

    “My score went from a 24 to a 33 after two weeks of using Prepmedians daily!”

    — Ruchita, Prepmedians student (ACT English)

    “Luckily on test day, my score, which was stuck at a 29, was able to improve to a 34, and that was thanks to Prepmedians.”

    — Emma, Prepmedians student

    The best time to begin dedicated SAT or ACT prep is the spring of 10th grade or later. If you’re younger than that, focus first on building a strong academic foundation with our Grammar course and our 6th–12th grade Math courses, including Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2/Trigonometry, and Precalculus. Choose the Math course that matches the class you’re currently taking—or the course you most recently completed if you want to reinforce and master those skills.

    The summer before 8th, 9th, or 10th grade is an especially valuable time to work through these courses. They help students master the grammar mechanics and math skills needed for school and beyond while laying the foundation for future SAT and ACT success. Our academic courses are available at prepmedians.com/#courses.

    “How should I study for the ACT?”

    The best way to improve your ACT score is to prepare with a consistent plan, review every mistake, and practice under realistic testing conditions.

    At Prepmedians, SAT and ACT prep is taught through sketch comedy videos. We have helped thousands of students claim their dream scores, and you can hear from them here.

    You can also find the best lesson plan for your upcoming test date in our ready-made lesson plans. Go claim your dream score!

    Dates and deadlines last verified against ACT’s official schedule on July 23, 2026. ACT may change dates or deadlines, so confirm them before registering.