When to Start SAT/ACT Prep for International Students
International applicants juggle so many different exam systems. Whether you’re taking IB, A-Levels, or other national exams, you may find yourself stressed about when to start on your US standardized test prep for SATs or ACTs.
Things to Consider on your SAT/ACT Prep Journey
- Existing grades and academic deficits
- Problem areas
- Identifying problem areas with a diagnostic test
Improving your SAT score or ACT score
- Starting Early
- Benefits of SAT Test Prep / Expert Guidance
When to start SAT/ACT Prep if you’re an International Student
The struggle is real. International applicants juggle so many different exam systems. Whether you’re taking IB, A-Levels, or other national exams, you may find yourself stressed about when to start on your US standardized test prep for SATs or ACTs, as well as about how you’re going to get a good score.
What you need to consider on your SAT/ACT prep journey
As you begin your test taking journey, let’s think about what you need to know as you prepare to sit the SATs or ACTs.
Grades and academic deficits
- The SATs are a good way to show your proficiency, even if you struggle with school exams. Take the standardized test as an opportunity to really boost the academic side of your profile, or to reinforce your already strong academic profile.
- Even if a school is test optional, these scores provide an extra data point to be considered alongside your other academic achievements.
SAT problem areas
- Identifying your problem areas is the first step in your standardized test journey. It will help you figure out which parts of the SAT test you need help in, whether that’s Critical Reading, or Math.
- You can go even further, delving into even the subtopics. Do you struggle with geometry? Graphs?
- Taking a diagnostic test is the best way to identify your problem areas, so you can guide your test prep strategy toward maximally improving your SAT score.
Improving your SAT/ACT score
Now that we’ve talked through some of the reasons to take the SATs/ACTs, as well as how to get started in preparing, let’s talk improvement. How do we get better?
Starting early with SAT/ACT preparation
Starting earlier than your final year of high school is advisable. Why?
- Enough time between initial diagnostic and final assessment to build a sustainable plan for preparation
- Less stress and rush when it comes to working on improvement and growth areas
- More time for your extracurricular activities, allowing you to lead a more balanced life and achieve more outside the classroom
So, when to start?
Ultimately, it’s down to personal choice and how the SATs fit into your overall academic plans. However, we can give you guidance for what the trajectory of your test taking might look like based on your starting point, and what the comparative benefits are, the earlier you begin.
Note: many selective colleges prefer a score from the past 1-2 years, meaning that, while prep begins early, you still might want to wait till your 11th or 12th grade to actually take the test.
Grade 10/Sec 4
- Starting this early with prep gives you plenty of time to take the test! This means that, from your diagnostic score, you have multiple years to revise, practice, and ensure that you’re totally prepared for your SAT/ACT sitting.
- This also means that you have the opportunity to take the SAT/ACT multiple times over the years ahead to ensure that you receive a strong score.
- Finally, this allows you to focus up early, to take some study burdens off yourself later on.
Grade 11/JC 1
- This is still an early start, giving you ample time to strategize for the best possible score. Just like starting in Grade 10/Sec 4, you will have time to take the test multiple times.
- This will mean balancing SAT/ACT prep with coursework and the beginning of your board exams journey with IBs A-Levels.
Grade 12/JC2
- Assuming that you will be applying to college concurrently, note that starting your SAT prep journey at this time means quite a bit of multitasking. At this stage, you have less time to slowly pore through your areas for improvement.
- All is not lost! In fact, many students have gotten amazing results even with a later start. Consider a more intense test prep strategy, depending on your diagnostic performance!
What are the benefits of SAT/ACT prep programs?
You may be wondering how working with professional guidance differs from taking the test unsupported
- Whether you start early or late, a good prep program will give you structure and support as a test taker, helping you to use your time more efficiently and effectively to increase your SAT score
- With an expert SAT coach, you will have a better understanding of what you need to work on, and how.
- There are also SAT strategies and secrets that experienced SAT tutors can share with you.
If you’re looking for guidance, or just for more information on what a comprehensive SAT score-boosting program might look like, check out IvyPrep’s boutique SAT prep classes. [link] Wherever you are in your test preparation journey, we wish you success!
FAQ
If you’re a student applying for entry to the best American universities, the SATs often provide an important data point for consideration. We suggest that all our American applicants do the SATs.
When you should start preparing depends on your situation and your test taking confidence. We suggest starting early enough that you have a few chances at taking the test before submitting scores. Many of our students start the year before their applications are due.
There are test taking strategies that really help students get used to the specific questions asked in the test. Coaching gives you access to this information and personalized help!
This depends on your personal circumstance and your commitment to improving. However, with hard work, we have seen students achieve dramatic improvements in their SAT score.
Slowly, many universities, especially top schools and Ivy League colleges, have been reinstating requirements. For more information, read our blog post on reinstated SAT requirements.
