SAT VS. ACT

Should my child take the SAT or the ACT?

There’s no ‘One Size Fits All’ answer to this question. Virtually every college accepts either test for admission, so one test is not fundamentally better than the other. Therefore, we highly recommend picking one test and sticking with it, instead of spreading yourself thin across two exams that serve the exact same purpose; focus on one and turn to the other only as a last resort. (TestTakers is experienced at helping families navigate this process. Feel free to contact us for resources and guidance.)

 

How are the SAT and ACT different?

For now, the biggest difference is an obvious one: the SAT is transitioning to a digital, adaptive test, while the ACT continues to be a paper test. The new SAT format allows it to accurately assess students with a much shorter exam: specifically, the SAT allots 134 minutes (2 hours and 14 minutes) to finish 98 questions, while the ACT allots 175 minutes (just under 3 hours) to complete 215 questions. Thus, students taking the SAT have 68% more time per question than their ACT counterparts, making speed a much more important factor on the ACT. While the tests continue to have a fair amount in common in terms of content, the ACT contains a Science section that does not have a parallel on the SAT, and the ACT also contains more advanced Math concepts than the SAT.

Why do you focus primarily on the SAT?

Three main reasons speak to focusing on the SAT. First, almost all colleges ‘Super-score’ SAT results: they count only your best sub-scores, even if they are from different dates. Colleges, overall, do not Super-score the ACT as readily. Second, as previously noted, the SAT covers less ground, so it simply requires less prep. There is no Science section, fewer obscure Math concepts, and with significantly more time available per question, most students require fewer timing strategies on the SAT. Finally, since students have already been primed to take the digital SAT by taking the digital PSAT in the fall of 11th grade, it is a significantly more familiar exam as well.

 

Do you offer any ACT preparation?

Yes, in certain locations! Our “ACT Booster Course” is offered to students who have already completed our SAT program and still wish to pursue the ACT. Because the two exams test many of the same concepts and are vulnerable to many of the same techniques, our SAT course effectively prepares students for roughly 75% of what they will see on the ACT. To cover the additional 25%, we offer a 4-week ACT Booster Course designed to catch students up to speed on the extra material, including the Science section and the more advanced Math concepts.

We do not run ACT courses for new students, as our philosophy is that it makes more sense to start with the SAT, which covers less material and offers more generous timing. (See “Why do you focus primarily on the SAT?” above.

OUR CLASSES

What is the maximum class size?

Twelve is the maximum class size, but classes usually have closer to 10 students.
 

How many class sessions are included in your SAT course?

The SAT course includes seven 4-hour instructional seminars, four full-length practice tests, six optional 3-hour “Spotlight” review sessions, and make-up sessions for students who miss class or a practice test. To get more specific dates and times for particular courses, please give us a call at one of the numbers at the bottom of the page.
 

What is a typical class day like for a TestTakers student?

Each 4-hour session consists of two separate classes: Math and English. Each class is roughly two hours long, with a short break in between. Students are occasionally quizzed on the material covered in the prior session and in the TestTakers Study Buddy flashcards. Classes are emphatically not dull lectures—they include many drills, activities, and time for questions to ensure that students are mentally engaged throughout the period.

WHAT WE DO

Do you offer PSAT preparation?

Yes! The PSAT is merely a shortened version of the SAT, which is our specialty. While some other organizations claim to offer "expert" preparation for dozens of tests, we focus primarily on SAT preparation, giving us an unparalleled depth of expertise on the exam. Our fall courses are specially arranged to cover all of the material on the PSAT before juniors take the test, and continue further to cover all material on the SAT.

Is your program comprehensive?

Yes! The PSAT is merely a shortened version of the SAT, which is our specialty. While some other organizations claim to offer "expert" preparation for dozens of tests, we focus primarily on SAT preparation, giving us an unparalleled depth of expertise on the exam. Our fall courses are specially arranged to cover all of the material on the PSAT before juniors take the test, and continue further to cover all material on the SAT.

Are there opportunities for extra help? 

There are many ways to receive extra help during and after the course. First, every course includes optional "Spotlight" sessions at no additional fee to reinforce skills learned in the regular classes. Second, all teachers provide their contact information during the first class and are available by phone or email to answer any specific questions your student may have. Additionally, teachers are often available to meet one-on-one with students for short review sessions before class starts. Finally, students have extensive access to their Site Directors, each a master of every section of the SAT. 

What are your teachers like?

Brilliant, funny, articulate, inspirational, zany, caring—no single adjective captures everything that makes our teachers special. They have diverse backgrounds, skills, and styles, but all share three critical qualities. First, they are expertly trained masters of the test. Not only can they instantly see the right answer, but they can also see the common mistakes and helpful insights within each question. Second, they have the energy and personality to make every class interesting. A math genius who puts her class to sleep or a grammar master with the personality of a fern will never make it past the first round of our hiring process. Our teachers must be adept enough to understand and explain everything about the test and interesting enough to make class fun. Third, and most important, our teachers care deeply about helping students reach their goals. We keep our classes small so teachers can get to know every student and give every student the attention and help he or she needs. We love helping our students reach their goals!

 

How long have you been doing this?

TestTakers was founded in 1983 and has grown (almost exclusively through word-of-mouth recommendations) every year since then. We focus primarily on the SAT—though we also offer ACT booster programs in certain locations—and have used our decades of teaching experience and exhaustive study of every released exam to ensure our teaching methods are as effective as possible.

WHAT WE DON'T DO

Do you offer a guarantee?

Although guarantees are a common marketing tool, they are often rife with asterisks and fine print that render them less effective than they may seem. Rather than hide behind a gimmick, we stand by the rigors of our program and the exceptional results we’ve helped students attain over the past 30 years. Of course, we are never content to leave any student unsatisfied, so we take great pains to make ourselves available for additional help for any student who needs more work after completing the course.

 

Do you offer shortened or "turbo" courses?

We do not because we have found that they do not help students achieve their full potential. There is a vast amount of material covered on the SAT and ACT, and any truncated or "turbo" course is likely to cram too much information into a student's head at once and prevent him or her from retaining enough. We have found that repetition and familiarity with the techniques are necessary for students to feel comfortable and perform well on the exam, so we offer only full-length, comprehensive courses.

 

Do you offer courses for the SAT II Subject Tests/Regents Tests/ISEE, etc.? Do you provide college-counseling services?

No, we focus on SAT and PSAT preparation, with ACT booster courses available in certain locations.

 

Do you provide private tutoring?

We have found that our targeted, personalized classroom approach is the most effective way to impart the broad knowledge necessary to master the test. Covering all of the materials included in TestTakers’ 60-hour course is usually inefficient—and unnecessarily expensive—in a one-to-one setting. Moreover, tutoring can always be added to address specific areas of weakness.

We know, however, that students may demonstrate enough mastery of one of the subjects to not need a holistic course; others may need the full curriculum but struggle in the small-group setting. Please feel free to give one of our Site Directors a call to learn more about the benefits of a personalized, classroom-based approach or to check the availability—and advisability—of tutoring.

 

Can I just take the practice tests without taking the course? Can I have the TestTakers vocabulary cards without taking the course?

No, our tests and materials are reserved exclusively for TestTakers students.

Distance learning

Does Distance Learning get the same results as in-person?

We’re really proud of our online offerings, which have achieved the same top-notch score improvements as our in-person courses. Our Live Online classes don’t put students in a virtual lecture hall; they’re small, engaging, interactive seminars—just held remotely. Live Online courses contain all of the elements the in-person offerings, so students don’t lose any sessions or personal attention. And you don’t have to take our word for it; see what students have to say on our Distance Learning Rave Reviews page!

 

What platform do you use for Distance Learning?

We utilize Zoom for our Live Online courses. Zoom is an easy-to-use interactive platform that allows the student and teacher to see each other in a password-protected room, where students can ask questions aloud or chat with the teacher privately. All of our materials were designed for both in-person and online usage, so teachers can share lectures with the class, make notes directly on the document, and highlight the most important concepts during instruction.

 

What if we don’t have a computer with a camera?

A camera is not a requirement for participation, and even a student with a camera is not required to use it, but students who are able to appear on camera are strongly encouraged to do so. When teachers can see the students, the teacher’s ability to connect with the students and assess their needs is greatly increased. Though large-screen devices—such as laptops or tablets—are recommended for optimal student experience, Zoom is compatible with smartphones too, and we’ve had students attend the course via phone in the past.

 

What if my child has to miss a session?

We have scheduled weekly Make-Up sessions that mirror the content of the regular class, all with a live instructor. When students attend Make-Ups, they are able to resume regular instruction without any interruption the following week. We often have multiple courses running with different Make-Up days or times, so if the regularly scheduled Make-Up for your course isn’t feasible, talk to your Director; he may have another option available.

 

What if my child needs extra help?

There are many ways to receive extra help during and after the course. First, every course includes optional "Spotlight" sessions at no additional fee, designed to reinforce skills learned in the regular classes. Second, all teachers provide their contact information during the first class and are available by phone or email to answer specific questions your student may have. Additionally, teachers are often available to meet one-on-one with students for short review sessions before class starts. Finally, students have extensive access to their Site Directors, each a master of every section of the SAT, even after the course has concluded. 

 

How does Diagnostic Testing work?

We host proctored testing rooms via Zoom where students log in to take exams. Students are muted, but leave cameras on so the proctor can supervise their work. At the conclusion of the test, students immediately email results to their Director.

 

How do we get the course materials?

All necessary course materials are emailed to students, but paper copies can be mailed if we are given proper notice.

 

What are the technical requirements to participate?

Zoom provides a complete listing of system requirements on its website, but in short:

-       macOS X with macOS 10.9 or later

-       Windows 10 (Home, Pro, or Enterprise)

-       Windows 7/8/8.1

-       Windows Vista SP1 or later/Windows XP SP3 or later

Supported browsers include

-       Windows: IE 11+, Edge 12+, Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+

-       Mac: Safari 7+, Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+

-       Linux: Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+

For further info, visit Zoom’s website: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-System-requirements-for-Windows-macOS-and-Linux

AFTER THE COURSE

How much should I expect my student to improve?

Obviously, score improvements differ drastically from student to student. The student who attends every class and comes to every Spotlight session can expect to go up more than the student who never opens his flashcards and misses all the practice tests. Additionally, a student starting with a 950 will have an easier time going up 300 points than a student starting at a 1300. A good goal is to improve 150 points, and the average improvement among all TestTakers students (even including those who have missed classes, tests, and failed quizzes) is close to 200 points. Students who take our program twice improve nearly 300 points on average. Feel free to call us for more details.

 

Can I take the course more than once?

Of course! Students are invited to retake the entire course a second time for a significantly reduced price. TestTakers alumni can also take more practice tests in our proctored environments and receive detailed score reports for no additional charge. We generally do not recommend taking the course a third time, but decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with your Site Director.

GENERAL SAT QUESTIONS

When is the best time to start preparing for the SAT/PSAT?

In most instances, the earliest we recommend beginning to prepare is the summer before junior year, in our courses targeting the August SAT. Since all students should take the SAT by the end of their junior year, the latest we recommend starting prep is February of that year. Give us a call so that we can discuss your unique situation and identify the best time for your student to prepare.

 

If I’m a senior, the last SAT I can take is in October SAT, right?

No, in fact. If you’re applying for regular decision (for which applications are usually due in early January), you can take the August, October, November, or even December SAT as a senior. If you’re applying early decision, there’s a good chance your school accepts the November SAT, even if the test is after the deadline, because the results are generally received before colleges make their final decisions. (Different schools have different policies, though, so be sure to get a definitive answer from the college your student is applying to.) For students preparing at the start of the school year, we believe it is much better to be completely prepared for the November or December SAT than to rush and be ill-prepared for an October test that doesn’t have to be your final opportunity.

 

Should my student sign up for the optional essay on the SAT/ACT?

The optional essay is a separate component of the exam, and as such has no bearing on your student’s score on the 1600-point scale for the SAT or the 36-point scale for the ACT. That said, certain colleges require the essay, so we recommend taking it to ensure students are not locked out of applying to those schools. (Of course, if your student knows exactly which schools he or she is applying to and is certain the essay is not required, the essay can certainly be skipped.) Our course does provide instruction on how to write the essay.

How do i register?

How do I register? 

Please either fill out our “Contact Us” form or call us at one of the numbers displayed at the bottom of the page. You can speak to one of our Site Directors in person and enroll by credit card or request an enrollment card and course schedules by mail. We currently do not accept enrollment online.