Choosing Your Test Prep Provider

Photo by Nguyen Dang Hoang Nhu at Unsplash

Written by William Floyd, Admissions Consultant at Scholar Co.

At some point, every high school has wondered, “Do I really need to prepare for a standardized test? Can’t I just show up on my test day and take it?”  The answers are “Yes, you probably do need to prepare,” and “No, you shouldn’t just take the test cold.”

Every year, more and more schools are reintroducing test-required admissions policies. And, many test-optional institutions favor applicants submitting standardized test scores. This renewed emphasis on test scores means that most students should plan to submit SAT or ACT scores. Which means you probably need test preparation.

We recommend that you start by taking a practice ACT and SAT to determine the best test for you. If you are one of the lucky ones who scored a 1500+ on an SAT practice test or a 34+ on an ACT practice test, congratulations! You can probably get away with just some light prep and a few more practice tests. For the other 99% of you, you’ll want to work on improving your score. Unfortunately, standardized test prep is very different from studying for a history test or math final.

Both the SAT and ACT reflect your readiness to attend college, but they aren’t like your high school tests, which assess your knowledge of topics like covalent bonds, the causes of the Civil War, or how to solve quadratic equations. The SAT and ACT measure core reading, writing, and math skills through highly structured questions. They are also tightly timed and scored in specific ways. Preparing for either test is more like training for a marathon or practicing for a piano recital than studying for a school exam.

Yes, you do need to prep, and you should find the best test prep provider for you. Here are the key things to remember as you evaluate your options.

Self-Prep is Possible, but Difficult

Both the SAT and ACT have a variety of online resources to help students prepare on their own. Preparing for these tests without any outside help can be especially appealing if you are cost-conscious and/or have extensive extracurricular commitments.

However, solo test prep requires initiative and accountability. You will be responsible for tracking your prep schedule and progress and for carving out time to take practice tests, review questions, and learn the section formats. If you do want to pursue solo test prep, you need to be realistic about your capabilities, follow-through, and discipline

One caveat for self-preppers is that it can be difficult to understand why your scores aren’t improving from practice test to practice test. Riding a bike can get you in better shape, but an experienced cycling coach will tell you why you can’t go faster up a hill. The same is true for preparing for a standardized test. If you aren’t improving, you might need to pivot to working with a tutor who will help you assess your mistakes and identify specific strategies to hone.

Private Tutoring vs a Prep Course

There are two common forms of test prep: one-on-one with a tutor or a prep course with a small group of students. Both options can boost your SAT or ACT score. One-on-one tutoring often produces better results because the prep and assignments are tailored to your individual strengths and weaknesses. Prep courses are usually more affordable, and they offer the advantage of connecting with a group of peers plus regular practice tests. Whether you settle on a private tutor or a prep course, make sure your program follows a structured curriculum that works through all sections and question-types and allows for regular practice tests so you can assess your progress.

A Proven Track Record

Anyone—really, any person—can say they can help students score higher on a standardized test. Be sure to find out about their prior success with students. Ask a test prep provider how many students they have helped and what score increases they typically see. “I scored a 1600 myself,” is not a qualification for helping others get a high score.

Realistic Promises

A typical score improvement on the SAT after test preparation is between 100 and 150 points. A similar jump on the ACT is between 3 and 5 points. While boosting a test score more than that is possible, beware of any test prep provider guaranteeing massive improvements. Your test prep provider should be able to help you establish a goal score based both on your practice scores and your college list. Blanket score guarantees don’t work for everyone. Be especially wary of guaranteed perfection. Just 2,958 ACT takers got a 36 in the class of 2025!

A Workable Schedule

Any good test-prep provider understands that test scores are just one part of your college application. If a provider says their class is five times a week over six months, you won’t have time for activities, summer programs, essay writing, or even doing your regular school work. Make sure that the proposed schedule will not interfere with your ability to protect your GPA, remain committed to your extracurriculars, and pursue meaningful summer opportunities.

Yes, you will probably need test prep, so be sure to ask the right questions and do your research to ensure that you find the right person or program to help you reach the score you want.