The cost of not getting into your preferred school due to a low sat score is infinitely higher than whatever SAT tutors charge. But many people do study on their own. Answering these questions can help you decide.
Are you organized?
Can you create a strong study plan and stick to it? Students who get high scores start their prep with solid plans. You’ll have to know where you’re currently standing, academically speaking, and plan from there. The best way to do this is to take a test prep and see how well you do. Afterwards, compare your target score (the ultimate sat score that’ll get you into the school of your choice), and your test prep score. That should give you an idea about how much studying you need to do.
If you know how much studies you need to do, check how much time you have till you take the SATs. Is the time frame doable for a DIY study? If you have sufficient time, do you have a good enough motivation and discipline to stick to your schedule? If it isn’t you might need sat tutors.
Do you have access to great SAT study resources?
It’s one thing to plan, and another to have adequate resources. There are A LOT of sat resources out there, some less effective than others. Do you know the right resources to use, or are you going to buy and study all of them? Knowing what to look for is just as important as the resources you use.
Note that you can not prepare for the SATs without the real SAT/ACT practice questions. Whatever extra materials you decide to read up would be just that. Extra. The only way to know what to expect on that day is with the real material. However, practicing questions alone won’t be enough, you have to understand the reasoning behind each question, which is why study textbooks exists. If you don’t know what to look for, you’d be better off deferring to the expertise of SAT tutors.
Can you effectively measure your progress?
Blind spots exist for a reason. Being able to take a hard look at your current progress, seeing your weaknesses, and addressing them takes a lot of skill most high school kids don’t have. Consistently failing one part of your test prep probably means you need outside help.
If you’re able to respond positively to these questions, then you might not need to hire SAT tutors. Otherwise, try getting outside assistance to maximise your SAT score.
Tips to Achieve a Perfect ACT Score the First Time
Many colleges use ACT to determine admissions. A high ACT score not only gets you into your favorite college but it also shows that you are ready for the next level. That’s why it’s paramount to prepare adequately before taking the test. Here are the best ACT test prep tips to help you get admitted to your college of choice.
Get Professional Tutoring
A good ACT score saves you from retaking the test and allows you to send your scores to your preferred colleges for consideration. While it is possible to retake the test up to twelve times, it is advisable not to. Some colleges such as Stanford, Yale, Columbia, and others require you to send all the scores from every time you took the test, including those you performed poorly. Do it right the first time by getting professional tutoring. A tutor will help you to study and revise intensively for all the papers with a focus on the main areas that are tested during the exam.
Take ACT Practice Test
Nothing beats practice tests when it comes to ACT prep. Practice tests are exams that are formulated in the same way as the real ACT exam. They test the same concepts, and most incorporate question patterns from previous ACTs. Taking these practice tests exposes you to the real test and shows you what to expect during the d-day. Practice tests can also relax your mind on the exam day. Work with a tutor who includes some of the best ACT test prep exams in their training program.
When reading for your ACT, devote your energy to taking the test once. Don’t study with the mentality that you will repeat the test if you fail. If you do, you will most certainly fail. Prepare for the test as if there will be no second chances, and you’ll get your best score the first time.