Once a student has a testing plan in place for the SAT or ACT, the next question is often:
Do we need test prep?
And if so, what kind?
Like so many things in college admissions, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Some students see meaningful score improvements with structured preparation, while others do just fine with minimal prep. Some students need the accountability of a test prep tutor, while others can successfully self-study.
The goal of this post is to help you understand:
Why test prep can matter
How to decide if it’s worth your time and investment
The different types of SAT and ACT prep available
Which option may be the best fit for you
At Advantage College Planning, we do not provide test prep directly. Instead, we help families determine whether prep makes sense and how it fits into a broader testing timeline and college admissions strategy. (If you haven’t already, you can read our Guide to Building A Standardized Testing Plan or What Does Test Optional Really Mean? for more context.)
Why Test Prep Matters
Test-taking is a skill.
While the SAT and ACT are content-based exams covering certain academic subject areas, students are being tested on:
Time management
Reading efficiency
Familiarity with question types
Test-taking stamina
Because of this, preparation can help students:
Improve pacing and confidence
Avoid common mistakes
Become more comfortable with the format
That said, test prep is not magic. It typically leads to incremental improvement, but dramatic score jumps are less common.
Do You Need Test Prep?
Not every student needs formal test prep.
Here are a few helpful questions to guide that decision:
1. Is there a gap between current scores and college goals?
If a student’s initial practice test score is already within the middle 50% range for their colleges, extensive prep may not be necessary.
If there’s a noticeable gap, targeted preparation may be worth considering.
2. Do YOU struggle with timing or test format?
Some students know the content but have difficulty finishing sections on time or navigating the exam's structure.
These students often benefit the most from prep.
3. ARE YOU self-motivated?
Students who are organized and disciplined may do well with self-guided prep.
Students who need structure or accountability may benefit from a class or tutor.
4. What role will testing play in the application?
In a test-optional landscape, not every student needs to prioritize testing heavily.
(You can read more about this in our post on test-optional admissions.)
Types of SAT & ACT Test Prep
There are three main approaches to test preparation:
One-on-one tutoring
Group classes or boot camps
Self-guided preparation
Each has its place depending on the student.
1. Private Tutoring
WHAT IT IS:
One-on-one preparation for the SAT and ACT with a tutor, either in person or online.
PROS:
Fully personalized approach
Flexible pacing and scheduling
Can target specific weaknesses
Built-in accountability
CONS:
Most expensive option
Quality can vary between tutors
BEST FOR:
Students looking for help with specific academic areas
Students aiming for higher score increases
Students who benefit from individualized support
Many of our students work with local test prep tutors or national tutoring services like our friends at Arborbridge. Check with your college consultant or your school counselor for recommended resources.
2. Group Classes or Boot Camps
WHAT IT IS:
Structured prep courses for the SAT and ACT, often meeting weekly or over a shorter, more intensive period.
PROS:
More affordable than tutoring
Structured schedule
Covers test strategies and format
CONS:
Less personalized
Pace may not match every student’s needs
Limited ability to address individual weaknesses
BEST FOR:
Students who want structure but don’t need intensive support
Students new to the test who want a general overview
Families looking for a middle-ground option
3. Self-Guided Prep
WHAT IT IS:
Independent study for the SAT and ACT using books, online tools, and/or practice tests.
PROS:
Most flexible
Most affordable (often free)
Students can focus on specific areas
CONS:
Requires discipline and consistency
No external accountability
Harder to identify patterns of mistakes without guidance
BEST FOR:
Self-motivated students
Students already scoring close to their target range
Students with limited time or budget
Both the SAT and ACT offer official practice tests and other test-prep resources on their websites. Khan Academy also offers free SAT prep resources.
How to Choose the Right Approach
When deciding between these options, consider:
Budget: Tutoring can be a significant investment
Timeline: Understanding your testing plan and how much time is available for prep
Student personality: Some students need accountability, others prefer independence
Score goals: Larger score increases often require more targeted support
It’s also worth remembering that more prep is not always better. Overloading a student with prep can lead to burnout, especially during an already busy junior year.
How Test Prep Fits Into the Bigger Picture
Standardized Testing is just one piece of the college application process.
A strong testing plan should align with:
Academic course rigor: Don’t prioritize test prep over strong final grades in school!
Extracurricular involvement: College applications ask about your extracurricular commitments. They don’t ask how many hours you devoted to preparing for the SAT or ACT.
Application timelines: Make sure you have time to finish testing before college application deadlines.
College list goals: How important will SAT or ACT scores be to the colleges you’re applying to?
Final Thoughts
Test prep can be helpful. But it’s not always necessary for every student, and it doesn’t need to be complicated.
The most effective approach is one that:
Matches a student’s learning style
Fits within their schedule
Aligns with their college goals
If you’re unsure where to start, that’s exactly where planning comes in.
At Advantage College Planning, we help families think through when to test, how many times to test, and whether test prep is necessary at all.
We help students make strategic, informed decisions so that testing supports the rest of the process without overwhelm.
Common questions about standardized testing
What does “test-optional” really mean?
Test optional means that students have the choice to send scores if they have them, but they will not be penalized if they choose not to include test scores as part of their application. Learn all about test-optional policies in our testing guide.
Should my student take the SAT or the ACT?
Colleges do not prefer one test over the other, so students should choose the test that best fits their strengths. Many students start by taking a diagnostic or practice version of each test, then focus their preparation on the one where they perform better or feel more comfortable. Read our full list of common standardized testing questions.
How many times should my student take the SAT or ACT?
Most students see the best results taking the SAT or ACT 2-3 times to take advantage of superscoring. We walk through how to build a testing plan in more detail in our full guide.