How to Study for the ACT and SAT
Whether your test date is three weeks away or still months out on the horizon, a good study plan makes a real difference. This post walks you through the full process: how to choose between the ACT and SAT, how to build a study schedule based on how much time you have, and what to focus on as test day approaches.
Should I Take the ACT, SAT, or Both?
If you haven’t already decided which test to take, try taking an ACT practice test and an SAT practice test to see if you have a preference. The two tests cover similar content but have meaningfully different formats. The SAT is digital and adaptive. Each section is divided into two modules, and the difficulty of your second module adjusts based on how you do on the first. The ACT is offered both on paper and on the computer, with a fixed format and optional Science and Writing sections.
Some students have a clear preference or find they do better on one test over the other. Others end up taking both. It isn’t necessary to take both tests, but some students find having options reduces stress and anxiety. For a quick side-by-side overview, check out our SAT vs ACT infographic.
What Is the Best Way to Study for the ACT and SAT?
We’ve helped over half a million students prepare for admissions tests, and we’ve found that the following process works very well no matter which test you’re studying for: take a practice test, review your results carefully, and then do targeted practice on your weak areas. Repeat this cycle until test day.
Step 1: Take a Practice Test
Before you do anything else, take a full-length practice test under test-day conditions. That means timed, in one sitting, and without your phone or other distractions. The goal is to find an honest baseline so that you learn what you need to improve in order to reach your goal.
Step 2: Review Your Results
Going through a completed practice test carefully is one of the most valuable parts of test prep, and well worth your time. Don’t just look at your score. Look at your results by content area, by question type, and by timing. Which sections cost you the most points? Which question types tripped you up repeatedly? Where did you run out of time?
Flag three categories of questions to review: ones you missed, ones you skipped, and ones you guessed on even if you got them right. A lucky guess may not repeat itself on test day.
Read our full guide on how to learn from your practice test mistakes for a step-by-step walkthrough of this process.
Step 3: Do Targeted Practice
Once you know what to work on, focus your practice sessions there. Targeted practice can involve reviewing content, practicing sets of questions similar to the ones you missed on your practice test, or practicing test-taking skills like pacing and endurance.
Then take another practice test and repeat the cycle.
Study Plans by Timeline
How you structure your prep depends on how much time you have. Here’s what we recommend based on when you’re starting.
6+ Month ACT and SAT Study Plan
Six or more months is the ideal runway to prepare for the ACT or SAT. It gives you plenty of time to build your test-taking skills, address content gaps, and still have room to adjust your approach as you get closer to test day.
Start by building a consistent study schedule and stick to it. Make ACT and SAT prep part of your routine. Use the first few weeks to familiarize yourself with the test format, identify your weakest areas, and build strong study habits. Spacing out your sessions over time promotes long-term retention, which means you’ll actually remember what you learned on test day.
Practice tests: One full-length test every three to four weeks, gradually increasing to every one to two weeks as you approach your test date
Targeted practice: 30 to 45 minutes, two to three times per week
2 to 5 Month ACT and SAT Study Plan
Two to five months is enough time to make meaningful gains across multiple areas without feeling rushed. If you’re just getting started, you’re in a good position.
As you continue to take practice tests, make note of what’s improved and what you still need to work on. Adjust where you focus your targeted practice sessions accordingly.
Practice tests: One full-length test every one to two weeks
Targeted practice: 30 to 45 minutes, three to four times per week
1 Month ACT and SAT Study Plan
One month is still enough time to improve your score, but only if you’re strategic about it. Read our dedicated guide: How to Study for the SAT in One Month.
Focus first on the areas where you can improve the fastest. For example, reviewing grammar and punctuation rules can have a big impact on your SAT Reading & Writing and ACT English scores.
Practice tests: One full-length test per week
Targeted practice: 45 to 60 minutes, three to four times per week
The Week Before the ACT or SAT
One week is not a lot of time to prepare for the ACT or SAT. If you haven’t started studying yet, the most valuable thing you can do right now is familiarize yourself with the test format. Knowing what to expect on test day (the structure, the timing, the question types) can make a real difference. However, it’s unlikely you’ll see dramatic score improvements. Instead, focus on doing your best for where you are right now. Read our guide: How to Study for the SAT With One Week Left.
If you’ve been preparing consistently, now is the time to pull back on new material and focus on review. Identify one or two areas that are still costing you points and concentrate your energy there. Read our guide on what to do in the final week before the SAT for a day-by-day breakdown.
Practice tests: One full-length test early in the week
Targeted practice: 30 to 45 minutes, two to three times per week; keep sessions short and focused
The Day Before the ACT or SAT
If your test is tomorrow, put down your books, shut off your computer, and get some rest. Trust the work you’ve put in and don’t try to cram. Pack your bag, plan your morning, and eat a good dinner. Read our full guide: What to Do the Night Before the SAT or ACT.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind as You Study
Consistency beats intensity. Short, regular study sessions are more effective than marathon cramming. An hour three times a week will outperform three hours the night before every practice test.
More practice tests aren’t always better. Taking a practice test without reviewing it carefully is a missed opportunity. The review is where most of the learning happens.
Nerves are normal. It’s completely normal to feel anxious about the ACT or SAT. If test anxiety is affecting your performance, check out our test anxiety resources for practical strategies.
You can retake the test. Most students take the ACT or SAT more than once. Knowing you have another chance can take some pressure off, and it’s worth planning your test schedule to allow for a retake if you need one.
More ACT and SAT Resources
Understanding the Tests
- What You Need to Know About the SAT Reading and Writing Section
- What You Need to Know About the SAT Math Section
- What to Expect on the Enhanced ACT English Test
- What to Expect on the Enhanced ACT Reading Test
- What to Expect on the Enhanced ACT Math Test
- What to Expect on the Enhanced ACT Science Test
Study Plans
Test-Taking Skills
Test Day
Start Practicing Today
Test Innovators has everything you need to prepare for the ACT and SAT, including full-length practice tests, detailed score reports, and thousands of targeted practice questions.
Sara Laszlo
Sara Laszlo has nearly ten years of experience in private tutoring. An opera singer by training, Sara is especially interested in exploring better ways to practice and improve skills, whether musical or test-related. She holds a B.A. in Classical Civilization from Duke University and a Certificate of Merit in Voice from the New England Conservatory of Music.
