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Many high school students and their parents wonder when they should begin preparing for the SAT and ACT. While there’s no one-size-fits-all scale for readiness, the winter of your junior year is the ideal time to dive into SAT and ACT prep. No matter which test you’ll be taking, each requires a tremendous amount of time, dedication, and practice. Here’s why junior year is the best time to get serious about test preparation.

Why Junior Year Is the Crucial Time for SAT & ACT Prep

Improve Your Scores

It’s not unusual to be disappointed with your scores the first time around. More and more students are opting to retake their SATs and ACTs to reach the maximum level of achievement. The New York Times reports that retaking the SAT boosted scores by nearly 90 points out of 1,600 and increased the likelihood of enrolling in a four-year college.

Taking these tests a second time allows you to improve your scores before the initial round of college applications are due. You’ll be more prepared and proficient in the standardized testing environment, and you can reflect on areas that need improvement. In order to give yourself enough time to practice and take the tests again, you should start your initial SAT and ACT prep early. Give yourself as many chances as you can to improve your score.

Make the First Round of College Applications

ACT prepEarly action and early decision college applications are typically due between mid-October and mid-November of your senior year, which is closer than you think. You need to have your ideal score ready by this time, or you’ll miss out on the first round of applications. This may not seem like a big deal with regular admissions being just a few months away, but students who apply early statistically have a higher chance of acceptance.

In a 2015 annual survey from US News, 245 ranked colleges accepted approximately 63.1% of early applicants on average, compared to 50.2% of regular applicants. Schools become much more selective the longer you wait to apply. For many universities, acceptance appears to double when students apply early. Having your ACT and SAT scores ready in time for the initial application deadline will give you a major advantage. Get a head start on SAT and ACT prep now, and you’ll earn the score you need to get into your dream school.

 

Take the first step towards outstanding test scores with tutoring services from Peach State Tutoring & Test Prep. They help students throughout Roswell, Johns Creek, Milton, Cumming, Duluth, Norcross, Suwanee, and Alpharetta, GA, unlock their potential and achieve the scores they strive for through customized SAT and ACT prep. These tutors go above and beyond to ensure students get the help, practice, and organizational skills they need to earn a place at their first choice college. If you want to know which test you’re more likely to gain a better score with, they offer a free and remarkably accurate diagnostic SAT vs. ACT evaluation.  The test provides more than 150 diagnostic points of reference. For information about test preparation, visit their website. Call (678) 824-6890 to learn about enrollment.

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