Chariot Learning
  • About
    • FAQ
    • Our Curriculum
    • Areas Chariot Learning Serves
  • Services
    • SAT & ACT Prep
    • Academic Coaching
    • Subject Tutoring
    • Strategic Reading Club
    • Proctored Practice Tests
    • GRE Prep
    • Roots2Words
  • Calendar
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
March 10, 2017 by Mike Bergin

Should I Study for the ACT and SAT at the Same Time?

The challenges the SAT and ACT pose come at us all at once. Sure, each exam is administered often throughout the academic year, but, basically, when you have room in your schedule for one, you’ll probably want to take both for more than simply logistical reasons.

Some sources suggest studying for these exams sequentially, which strikes me as a terrible waste of time because of the tremendous overlap between the two. Our approach has always been to prepare students for both tests at once, with exceptions, of course. This process not only saves time but also helps determine more quickly whether students have advantages on one of the two tests worth focusing on. But while we are able to explain the basis of our philosophy to the families we work with, students and parents outside our orbit keep hearing the same misconceptions. So, in an effort to correct the record when someone on Quora asked, “Should I study for the ACT and SAT at the same time?“, I answered as follows:

Absolutely. The two tests have never been as similar as they are right now. In fact, if you compare the English section of the ACT to the Writing and Language section of the SAT side-by-side, you’ll be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the two.

The SAT and ACT test substantially the same grammar and writing rules.

The SAT and ACT test substantially the same math concepts and problem solving skills.

The SAT and ACT test substantially the same passage-based reading skills, mostly through non-fiction passages.

The SAT and ACT test substantially the same ability to manage time, anxiety, and energy over an extended, high-stakes exam.

Of course the two have specific differences, which you can and should focus on through high-quality practice testing and targeted review. But whether you think so or not, prepping for one can’t help but prepare you to a certain extent for the other.

ACT preparation SAT

Previous articleTips for Standardized Test Reading PassagesNext article Perfect is the Enemy of Good Scores
Mike Bergin
Tens of thousands of students a year prep for the SAT & ACT through programs Mike Bergin created or organized. After more than 25 years of intensive experience in the education industry, he's done it all as a teacher, tutor, director, curriculum developer, blogger, podcaster, and best-selling author. Mike founded Chariot Learning in 2009 to deliver on the promise of what truly transformative individualized education can and should be.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Helping high schoolers with tests, school, and life is what Chariot Learning is all about. Let us know how we can help you!

Latest Posts

  • Put On Your Test Day Armor
  • Burning Questions About Testing and Admissions for the HS Class of 2022
  • Curiosity and Persistence Matter
  • Questions for First Time Test Takers
  • Exercise in Repeatedly Recalling a Thing
  • I can. I will.
    by chariotlearning 1 day ago
    I can. I will.
  • Tough tests open doors: https://chariotlearning.com/how-tests-open-doors/
    by chariotlearning 3 days ago
    Tough tests open doors: https://chariotlearning.com/how-tests-open-doors/
  • Don
    by chariotlearning 5 days ago
    Don't just talk about it...
  • Are you a masterpiece or a work in progress? Why not both? ;)
    by chariotlearning 1 week ago
    Are you a masterpiece or a work in progress? Why not both? ;)
  • Nothing worth having comes easy.
    by chariotlearning 1 week ago
    Nothing worth having comes easy.
  • Challenges are what makes life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.
    by chariotlearning 2 weeks ago
    Challenges are what makes life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.
  • If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice.
    by chariotlearning 3 weeks ago
    If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice.
  • Just start.
    by chariotlearning 3 weeks ago
    Just start.
  • Don
    by chariotlearning 3 weeks ago
    Don't stop until you're proud!
  • You were born to be awesome!
    by chariotlearning 4 weeks ago
    You were born to be awesome!

Subscribe to Mike’s Podcast

Subscribe to Tests and the Rest

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER

College Road is your source for expert educational advice, test news, college admissions action steps, special offers, and more. Sign up now!

Upcoming Events

  1. Free Practice Online SAT (3/6/21)

    March 6 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  2. Free Practice Online SAT (3/7/21)

    March 7 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  3. Free Practice Online ACT (3/13/21)

    March 13 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  4. ACT Intensive Class for the April 2021 Exam (Online)

    March 15 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  5. SAT/ACT Extended Class – Early Spring 2021 (Online)

    March 16 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

View All Events

Testimonials

We were very pleased with our experience with Chariot Learning. We felt like our daughter was receiving personalized, thoughtful, reasoned advice. The process was very collaborative, with our needs and wants respected.

Jeff, Pittsford dad

Read more testimonials...
© 2020 Chariot Learning, LLC. All rights reserved.