3 Steps To Stress-Free College Admissions Testing
Here's How To Be Done with ACT & SAT Testing Fast & with a Score You're Proud Of
The college admissions process is a seemingly never-ending to do list. And now with many schools being vague about whether or not they require test scores, everything has gotten even more overwhelming.
But preparing for the ACT and SAT shouldn’t feel that way.
You just need a guide to help you see:
- how simple and straightforward this journey can be, and
- how fast you can get to the other side of testing with a score you’re proud of.
That’s where we come in...
Welcome to Higher Scores Test Prep! We're so glad you're here!
Hi! I'm Kat Clowes, CEO of Higher Scores Test Prep and College Admissions Consultant
Over the last 10 years, we've helped thousands of students to improve their ACT & SAT scores.
But, perhaps even more importantly, we've also shown them a way to leverage their higher scores to earn 5- and 6-figure merit aid and scholarship awards.
Diligent Higher Scores families have earned 1,000%+ returns on their investment in our test prep courses.
And now we want to share our secrets for success on the ACT & SAT with you because the sooner you begin your journey to higher scores, the sooner you can be done - with more free cash for college than you ever imagined possible.
Getting Started Is As Easy As 1, 2, 3!
Choose Your Test
Choose Your Date
Choose Your Course
Step 1: Choose The Right Test For You
While the ACT & SAT test similar academic concepts, they do so in very different ways. You want to pick the test that is the best fit for you:
ACT
- Digital option & paper option
- Approx 1 minute per question on most sections
- Multiple questions per reading passage
- One math section with an equal representation of algebra and geometry questions
- Includes an optional science section that combines to create a STEM score with Math but is not factored into the composite
- Is a linear test, meaning that everyone receives the same questions regardless of performance on past sections/questions
- English/Reading takes up â…” of composite score
- Generally better for students who are stronger in reading than math.
SAT
- Digital exam
- Approx 1 minute per question and overall a shorter test
- One question per reading passage
- Two math sections with that focuses heavily on algebra
- Two combined reading and grammar sections, which include new poetry analysis questions
- The computer adaptive test (CAT) model gives some students harder tests than others depending on their performance in the first half
- English/Reading takes up 1/2 of composite score
- Generally better for students who are stronger in math than reading.
Need more help deciding which test is the best fit for you? Click here to compare the ACT and SAT in more detail.
Step 2: Choose The Perfect Test Date
There are 14 national test dates each year: 7 for the ACT and 7 for the SAT.
Here are all of the official, upcoming ACT & SAT test dates and deadlines. Which date is a good fit for you?
ACT Test Date | Registration Deadline | Score Released |
|---|---|---|
April 11, 2026 | March 6th | April 21st |
June 13, 2026 | May 8th | June 23rd |
July 11, 2026* | June 5th | July 21st |
September 19, 2026 | Aug 14th | Oct 6th |
October 17, 2026 | Sept 11th | Oct 27th |
December 12, 2026 | Nov 6th | Dec 22nd |
*No test centers are scheduled in New York for the July test date.
SAT Test Date | Registration Deadline | Score Released |
|---|---|---|
March 14, 2026 | Feb 27th | TBD |
May 2, 2026 | April 17th | June 23rd |
June 6, 2026 | May 22nd | July 21st |
August 22, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
September 12, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
October 3, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
November 7, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
December 5, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
**Test dates for United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands only, as reported by the College Board.
Step 3: Choose Your Prep Course
You wouldn’t scale Mount Everest without a sherpa. Even gold medalists have coaches.
Don’t go on the journey to higher scores alone.
Once you’ve decided which test to take and when to take it, it’s time to come up with a game plan for test day.
While the ACT & SAT can and should be studied for, they’re strategically designed so that you can’t accidentally stumble across your best score.
Your journey to higher scores will be much faster and more successful if:
- you have a clear, proven study plan from Day 1,
- you learn customizable subject-level strategies that get you the score you want,
- you can ask questions of an expert (not AI, who will never point out your flaws) who knows the ACT & SAT inside and out, and
- you work with someone who ensures you don’t leave points on the table - a mistake that could cost you thousands of dollars in merit aid.
