Prepping for Both the ACT® and SAT® Makes Sense Now More Than Ever
Technically, there are both SAT® and ACT® test dates on the books for the 2020-2021 school year. That said, if 2020 has taught us anything so far, it is that test dates are subject to change (...or cancellation).
There are certainly plenty of unknowns heading into the summer break, the start of school, and beyond. COVID-19 is still very much an issue and few can predict when it will release its grasp on so many facets of what was once “business as usual.” This is little consolation for high school students looking to set themselves apart as college applicants (be sure to check out our post on how much harder this has become). Being strategic is crucial.
Even as more and more colleges and universities are moving to “Test-Optional” policies (either temporarily or permanently), success on either the SAT® or ACT® can be a real difference maker.
ACT® or SAT®? Committing to One Test May Not Be the Best Call
Ordinarily, students and tutors make a choice to tailor test prep efforts toward one test or the other - the ACT® or the SAT®. There are definite differences between the two that play to the strengths of different students (see our full guide here). Some of the more notable of these differences include:
The ACT® requires a faster pace (more questions with less time) than the SAT®, but uses more of a direct-question style than the SAT® does.
The SAT® doesn’t include a dedicated science section like the ACT® does, but instead, the SAT® folds social studies and science content into its math and literacy sections.
The SAT® Math Test has specified no-calculator sections, while the ACT® does not.
Due to the nature of these differences, it is common practice to hyper-focus on one test—mastering high-occurring content and honing in on test-specific strategies. Lessons can be learned from each performance, and score-improvement plans can be crafted and carried out. Now, however, that may not be the best plan of attack.
Given the likelihood of ongoing testing disruptions and/or limited testing availability due to COVID-19, it may make more sense to develop a two-test strategy. This way, should a student have fewer opportunities to test (or re-test) on their assessment of choice, there is the potential for applying score-improvement strategies on the other test.
How to Craft a Two-Test Strategy That Works
While preparing for both tests may sound straightforward on paper, it is a delicate dance. You need both an effective schedule and the right materials to ensure that each student is as fully prepared for whichever test(s) they are able to secure seats for.
Clear Choice offers a fully-featured test-prep suite for each test that is 100% white label and customizable to suit the needs of your tutoring company and your clients. With our physical and digital materials, it is possible to tailor a personalized two-test approach for each student you tutor. Differentiation is not only the key to optimal score improvement, but it also makes smarter marketing sense than pitching a one-size-fits-all program.
That said, there are some essential best practices for a two-test strategy that you must keep in mind:
Begin with practice tests. A specific test may seem like the better choice for a student, but the proof is in the pudding. Have students complete practice tests for both tests to establish a baseline and hone in on where the work needs to be done.
Start with the ideal test. Just as you would in any previous year, use practice tests and diagnostics to pair each student with the test that best highlights their existing skills. From there, it should be easier to target the concepts with the greatest deficits as well as those most ripe for quick improvement. If the difference in performance is negligible, consider using the test date calendar as the ultimate decider.
Avoid dual-test prepping. Once test day has come and gone for a student’s primary test, focus on skill-building for either the secondary test or whichever test date is next on the calendar. Preparing for both the SAT® and ACT® at the same is not only confusing, but it also makes poor use of limited preparation hours.
Note common weaknesses that span both tests. While dual-prepping offers diminishing returns, there is value in prioritizing skill-building in areas of deficiency that are high-frequency topics on both tests. Investing time in areas that can lead to score improvement on both the ACT® and SAT® simultaneously makes sense - just be sure to contextualize the skill-building based on the test you are currently working toward.
Will Two-Test Prepping Become the Norm?
Thankfully, we’re not in the prediction business. As we’ve discussed, in the short-term the coronavirus-induced “Test-Optional” era could be a sneaky win for students willing to put in the work to prepare for and take the SAT® and/or ACT®. Many are assuming this “Test-Optional” trial period will become permanent - even for schools that, so far, have only committed to a year or two of the policy. If this were to be the case, the increased value of strong test performances will also become permanent (win!).
Naturally, there are those that like to focus on the extreme possibilities. Some are taking their soothsaying a step further and are projecting this moment as the beginning of the end of all standardized testing (it’s not).
All we can say for sure is that for now, preparing for tests and submitting strong scores is a great way for students to set themselves apart from applicants who choose to skip testing altogether. Since both the future of the COVID-19 pandemic and how society will respond are still unclear, a dual-test strategy is worth considering to make sure your students A) have a test to take and B) have the best possible chance to improve their scores over multiple test days.
For more on how Clear Choice and our 100% white label test-prep products can help your tutoring business support this strategy, click the link below to schedule a quick chat.