Luke the Tutor - SAT & ACT Expert

Taking more ACT practice tests is NOT the same thing as studying.

In fact, taking too many practice tests without changing your approach can actually keep students stuck.

Here's the trap most students fall into:

❌ Take a practice test

❌ Check their score

❌ Quickly review mistakes

❌ Take another practice test

❌ Get the same score

Instead, every practice test should become a roadmap.

For every missed question, ask:

• What was this question testing?

• Why did I get it wrong?

• What concept do I need to learn so I never miss this again?

Students don't improve by memorizing answers.

They improve by learning the concepts behind the questions.

The students who see the biggest score jumps are the ones who use practice tests to identify weaknesses, spend time learning those skills, and then retest themselves.

Practice tests are an assessment tool, not the study plan itself.

Share this with your student before they take their next ACT.

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Should your student apply test optional or submit their ACT/SAT score?

Don't guess. Use these 3 questions to make the decision.

1️⃣ Is their score within the school's middle 50% range?

If their score is in the middle — or even better, near the top — they should absolutely submit it because it makes them a stronger applicant.

2️⃣ How does their GPA compare?

Ask yourself:
• Is their GPA above average?
• Are they taking AP or Honors classes?
• Is their course rigor competitive?

A strong GPA can help, but it doesn't automatically mean students should skip submitting a score.

3️⃣ Will test scores impact scholarships?

This is the step many families miss.

Some schools require ACT or SAT scores for merit scholarships, while others award scholarships based primarily on GPA.

Before making a decision, check the school's financial aid page and see what they require.

Test optional is a strategy, not an automatic choice.

The goal is to maximize both admissions opportunities **and** scholarship opportunities.

Save this and discuss it with your student before submitting college applications.

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Does your student's ACT practice score look great... but their official ACT score comes back lower?

There is usually a reason.

The ACT isn't just testing knowledge.
It's testing whether students can perform under pressure on a Saturday morning in an unfamiliar environment.

That's why some students score differently on test day than they do at home.

Two things that can help:

✅ Learn the question types

Students who can quickly recognize:
• Transition questions
• Geometry questions
• Main idea questions

Have a much easier time knowing exactly how to approach the problem.

✅ Warm up before the test

One of my favorite strategies is having students do a few practice questions from each section before they leave for the testing center.

The goal isn't to learn anything new.

It's to get their brain into "ACT mode" before the clock starts.

The students who perform best on test day aren't always the ones who know the most.

They're often the ones who are the most prepared for the testing environment.

Comment "accelerator" and I'll send you my free ACT Accelerator guide with the same strategies I've used to score a 36 three years in a row and help hundreds of students raise their scores.

One of the most common questions I get from parents is:

**"When should my student take their first ACT or SAT?"**

My answer depends on one thing: their math track.

📚 If your student is in advanced math:
I usually recommend taking their first ACT and SAT after sophomore year.

Why?
Because they've already seen more of the content that appears on both exams.

📚 If your student is in regular math:
I typically recommend taking their first test during junior year, after they've had more exposure to Algebra 2 and other key concepts.

The goal of the first test is NOT to get a perfect score.

The goal is to:
✅ Establish a baseline
✅ Compare ACT vs. SAT performance
✅ Figure out which test fits them best
✅ Build a plan from there

Students who start with a baseline score tend to make much better decisions about where to focus their time and energy.

Save this and discuss it with your student if you're just starting the college planning process.

Follow for more ACT and college admissions tips.