myths

Myth: If I Have A Low ACT / SAT Score I’ll Never Get Into My Dream School

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Your ACT/SAT score is only one of many factors that are used to assess your college application. A low ACT/SAT score decreases your acceptance odds. However, don’t rule it out completely. Colleges look at other factors, which means students can compensate their lower ACT/SAT scores in other ways. You can still get into your dream school. …

ACT & SAT

What Should You Do If You Get A Low ACT / SAT Score?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

High ACT/SAT scores can boost your chances of getting accepted into the university of your choice. Scoring well on these tests is even more important if you are applying to highly competitive institutions, where every single aspect of your application will be weighed, including your test scores. Also, you can qualify for more scholarships with …

ACT & SAT

7 Helpful Last Minute SAT/ACT Prep Tips

By Allison WignallLast updated on July 3, 2024

SAT and ACT prep isn’t something you should cram the week before your test date. These exams aren’t about facts and figures, and it takes months to master the material and formats. If you forgot to prepare, though, it’s better late than never! As your test date approaches, there are some last minute SAT/ACT test …

ACT & SAT

When to Change Your Answer on the ACT / SAT (And When Not To)

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

In an ideal world, you’d never second guess your answers. It’s a great feeling when you bubble in your answer and you know, for sure, you’re right. However, it doesn’t feel as great when you’re not certain, when you’re flipping-flopping between A or C, or you think question 43 might be wrong—maybe. That uncertainty can …

myths

More Myths About the SAT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Plenty of myths circulate around the SAT and you’ve probably have heard a few as you’re preparing for your test date. Believing these myths can actually be detrimental to your final SAT score as well as your college applications. Here are just three you may have heard during high school. Myth: The PSAT Isn’t Important …

questions & answers

How Many ACT / SAT Practice Tests Should I Take Before The Real Thing?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on April 9, 2025

One of the best ways to prepare for the ACT and SAT is by taking practice exams. To be as prepared as you can be for the real test, you must try as much as possible to take each practice test under real test conditions, from sitting in a quiet room to keeping your water …

questions & answers

What is the PSAT/NMSQT and why does this test matter?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 8, 2026

Key takeaways The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is the test used to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Only high school juniors can qualify for National Merit Scholarships, though sophomores can take the test for practice. High scores can lead to recognition such as Commended Student, Semifinalist, or Finalist status. The …

ACT & SAT

The Importance of Knowing the ACT / SAT Test Format

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

When studying for a test, you probably focus on the material, right? The actual content you’ll be tested on. If it’s a US History test, you’ll study dates, memorize key people, and read about important events. But the ACT and SAT aren’t “normal” tests. You won’t just study the tested material in preparation, but also …

ACT & SAT

Why ACT/SAT Scores Matter for College Scholarships

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Students find scholarships awarded for all sorts of reasons, from being a Hispanic student interested in Engineering to being fluent in Klingon. These diverse scholarships have equally diverse requirements for eligibility. Scholarships typically ask for certain SAT and ACT scores. Academic Scholarships A large number of private organizations and colleges go out of their way …

ACT & SAT

ACT/SAT Week Before Test Prep Schedule

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 22, 2025

You’re a week away from your ACT/SAT test and the countdown has begun. While you should have started your prep weeks ago for this exam, the next seven days are important, too. If you haven’t started studying, there’s still time to fit some practice in. Below, we’ve shared two schedules that help you prep for …