Should Your Student Retake the SAT® or ACT®? Insights and Updated Strategies
Prepping for the ACT® and SAT® can be as nerve-wracking for you as it is for your clients. And after weeks or months of study and practice, we are over the moon when they reach their target goal after just one try!
But for clients who didn’t quite reach their goals after test #1, the decision to test again isn’t just about the possibility of a few extra points—it's about the potential for better college admission chances, more financial aid options, and making future opportunities more attainable.
While the prospect of diving back into test prep might not be every student’s first choice, a second shot at the SAT® or ACT® could be just the trick to ace that test! So, let’s unpack whether a retake could be the right step forward for your student.
Is Your Client on Board?
Of course, the first step before diving into retest prep is to talk to your clients about whether or not they are willing to retest. While you may see a retest as the obvious next step, clients (particularly the parents!) often have to weigh the potential benefits against the time, effort, and cost involved when considering whether to retake the SAT® or ACT®.
What Are the Benefits of Retesting?
Most clients on the fence about retaking the SAT® or ACT® want to know about the advantages of retesting, and understandably so. They want to know the odds of a score increase if they invest more time and effort (and money) into test prep.
The advantages of retesting are notable. Both the SAT® and ACT® show a significant benefit from retaking the exams.
According to the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and College Board, retaking the SAT® can substantially increase a test-taker’s score, especially for those initially scoring in the lower half.
Similarly, ACT research indicates that students who retake the ACT® can expect an average score increase, with those scoring between 13 and 29 initially seeing up to a one-point increase on average.
Superscoring: A Key Benefit
Both the SAT® and ACT® offer "superscoring," which allows colleges to consider the highest scored sections across multiple test dates. This means that even if a student improves in only one section of the test, that slight improvement can significantly impact their overall score used for college admissions.
To make retest score reporting even easier, the ACT now offers automatic superscore reporting for students who have taken the test more than once, making it easier to leverage higher section scores and share those improvements with choice colleges.
Retaking the SAT® and ACT®: Timing is Everything
So, your clients are on board, and your student is eager to get back out there and sit for the next upcoming test. But, whoa, there, slow down. It’s not as simple as registering for the next test; timing is everything.
A couple of things need to be considered before your client selects a test date and registers:
Creating A New Test Prep Plan: Based on the test results and score report of the last test, a new plan must be designed that focuses on strengthening weaknesses, maintaining strengths, and using effective study strategies to boost that score.
Once a new plan is created, you’ll have a better understanding of the amount of time that will be needed to implement this new plan.
Scheduling and Extracurricular Demands: Depending on the time of the year, you’ll have to make sure that your client has enough time to dedicate to studying and practicing for the test, allowing them to balance all other demands (school, sports, clubs, work, etc) with test prep.
Considering Their Grade Level: Most seniors report finding the fall of their final year the most ideal for retakes, giving them enough time to apply new test-prep strategies learned from their initial experience. Some juniors prefer testing during the summer months. Other students find that scheduling retakes around major school events, such as midterms or finals, and personal commitments enable them to get the most out of their retest prep.
Choosing the Best Test Date Based on Location: The right testing center can make a major difference! Advise your clients to check upcoming test dates at their preferred testing center when deciding on the best date.
For upcoming SAT® and ACT® dates, see: Spring into Action: Register Now for Spring 2025 ACT® & SAT® Test Dates.
Is a Retake Right for Your Student?
Ultimately, deciding to retake the SAT® or ACT® is a personal choice that should be based on individual academic goals, initial test scores, college aspirations, and the readiness to commit to further test prep. With strategic planning and focused preparation, a retake can be a major step toward maximizing educational opportunities and achieving college admissions goals.
Want more advice on prepping for the SAT® or ACT®? Check out some of our other helpful posts at Clear Choice.
Spring Forward with Clear Choice!
Refresh your tutoring services this spring with Clear Choice Prep. We offer comprehensive SAT® and ACT® prep materials in both digital and paper formats, tailored to meet the unique needs of each one of your students.
Sign up for a free demo of our customizable, white-label test-prep solutions.
Ready to see your students thrive this season?