SAT, ACT and PSAT
We’ve helped more than 200,000 families Improve their Scores
The ACT and SAT® exams are essential exams used in college admissions to measure a student’s readiness for higher education. Individuals usually take the tests in their junior year of high school, but testing plans vary according to student goals. With the increasingly competitive college admissions landscape, it is important to perform well on these exams, since these exams are a critical component in the admissions decision for most colleges and universities. SAT® and ACT scores are also often a determining factor for scholarship awards. At Tutor Doctor, we start with a customized testing plan and diagnostics to create a preparation plan tailored to each student’s needs and aspirations. We offer tutoring for college entrance exams both in person and online.
- Complimentary test prep consultation
- Robust SAT®/ACT curriculum for ACT & SAT® exams
- Official full-length practice tests
- In-depth diagnostic before lessons
- Complete breakdown of scores and performance analysis
- Customized tutoring strategies
- Personalized strategies for pacing, goal setting, and test anxiety
- Expert test prep coaches carefully selected for your student’s learning style and needs
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The Lowdown on SAT®’s vs. ACT’s
First, the basics. The SAT® and ACT exams are used interchangeably in college admissions. From Harvard to the local state college, most universities give no preference to one exam over another in the admissions decision. Both exams are designed to measure college readiness, but they differ in a few key areas. It’s common for some students to score significantly better on one exam versus the other! At Tutor Doctor, we think it makes sense to determine which test a student will likely perform better on, and focus on preparing for it! Call us today to start tutoring for the SAT, or ACT.
About the ACT
The ACT test offers a comprehensive tool to measure a student’s ability to learn and their comprehensive knowledge. The ACT consists of four sections: Math, Science, Social Studies, and English. These sub-scores are averaged to create the composite score. Students may also take an optional essay, which is not factored into the composite score.
Why Some Students Perform better on the ACT:
- The test includes a science section
- You can use a calculator on all math questions
- Reading sections can be a little more straightforward
About the SAT®
Considered a reasoning test, the SAT® exam is designed to be a measure of college readiness. The exam includes Reading/Writing and Math sections, which are added together for a composite score. Like the ACT, colleges often use SAT® exam scores as a metric to compare applicants fairly when determining who they will accept.
Why Some Students Perform Better on the SAT®:
- There is no science section
- Good for stronger readers
- The pace of the exam is slower than that of the ACT
PSAT
The PSAT is a suite of assessments for 8th-11th graders, (PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and PSAT). The most widely used exam is the PSAT, whose purpose is to expose 11th graders to SAT content and to gather a baseline score. The PSAT is very similar to the SAT®, but not identical. While the PSAT is considered a “practice” SAT and doesn’t always require preparation, there are some cases in which you should consider preparing for this exam. Read more here.
