What to Do the Week Leading Up to the SAT/ACT

Your test date is soon approaching, and you’ve probably been working hard these past few months. The week of the test is an important one, as you want to make sure you’re on your A-game the morning of. Below are some suggestions for how to prepare in the final week leading up to the big day.

1. Don’t Cram

Cramming won’t help you on the SAT and ACT. At this point, you know what you know. Instead of trying to learn new material from scratch, which won’t do you any good, set aside 30 minutes to an hour a day to do some practice questions and review your concepts. On Friday, don’t study test content. Take a look at these 20 SAT strategies. Covered in the 20 strategies are question structure tips, timing advice, calculator hints, and much more to help you improve your score instantly. No matter what you do, do not take a full length practice test on the Friday before the test! You will end up burning yourself out. 

2. Stay Active & Have Fun!

It’s a good idea to exercise at least 30 minutes a day this week. You might be wondering how exercise will help you on a standardized test. As it turns out, getting enough exercise helps relieve stress, improves memory and concentration, and helps you sleep better. It also helps boost your immune system, so you can go into the test feeling your best. Additionally, remember to relax and have some fun. Constantly thinking about the test 24/7 is not going to help you stay calm or perform any better. So give your mind some time to switch off and think about something else, specially the day before the test!

3. Eat Well During The Week

Make sure you get enough fruits and vegetables. Just like staying active, a healthy diet gives your immune system a boost and keeps you energetic and alert. Stay away from highly caffeinated/energy drinks - they might make you feel energized for a few hours but you will definitely crash shortly after.

4. Get Enough Sleep

We know that sleep might be a foreign concept to many of you. But if you had to choose one week out of the year to pay attention to your sleep, this might be it. Try going to sleep an hour earlier than you normally would each day this week. Your body and your mind will thank you for it the morning of the test. 

5. Get Organizated the Night Before

That’s right—you want to do this the day before the test. Not the morning of. The last thing you need the morning of the test is to scramble and panic, realizing that you don’t have something you need. On Friday, gather all of the following and keep them in one place: 

• Your admission ticket
• Your photo ID
• 5 sharpened No. 2 pencils (non-mechanical)
• A good eraser
• An approved calculator (with backup batteries)
• Snacks for the break
• Water

 

 

Important! Learn more about what stuff you will need to bring, and what stuff you may want to bring, and what NOT to bring. 

Also make sure that you know exactly where your test center is and how you’re going to get there.

6. Wake Up Early the Morning of

It’s recommended that you wake up early the morning of the test so that you’re not rushing and scrambling. Since you should be going to sleep earlier this shouldn’t be too hard for you. Get yourself together in the morning, and perhaps do some meditation or something relaxing to keep you calm and centered. If you're not a morning person, ask a parent or sibling to make sure you're awake so that you don't accidentally sleep through your alarm!

7. Have a Healthy Breakfast

Breakfast is important on test day, because you will be testing for over 3 hours with limited breaks. Eating before hand in the morning is the only time you’ll have to get in a full meal. This will keep your brain and your body going. Try going for a breakfast that’s rich in protein and fruits. Avoid foods with too much refined sugar, as this will lead to a crash in the middle of the test. Learn more about test day breakfast here. 

Don't do these 5 things while studying.  

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What to Bring (And Not To Bring) The Day of the SAT/ACT

Fewer things are worse than showing up at your test center and realizing that you don’t have everything you need. This checklist goes over everything that you’ll need to bring as well as things that are nice to have and things that you cannot bring.

What do I need to bring to the SAT or ACT?

Your Admission Ticket

When you register for the test online, you will receive an admission ticket in your email. This includes important information such as your name, test center, and test you’re taking. Print this out ahead of time and bring it with you to your test center. You will not be allowed in without it.

Acceptable Photo ID

Acceptable photo ID will typically be government-issued and can include your passport, driver’s license, state ID, or school issued ID’s. The name on your admission ticket must match the name on your photo ID. Just like your admission ticket, you will not be allowed in without your photo ID. 

If you are taking the test outside the United States, check with your test center. Most likely, you will need to show your passport or a valid national ID card. 

5 No. 2 Pencils with Erasers

You will only be able to complete the test in No. 2 pencil, so don’t bother bringing pens or any other types of writing utensil. Make sure that your pencils are sharpened, and have good erasers just in case you make any mistakes. Any errors need to be completely erased—otherwise your score might be affected. Bring four or five pencils so you don't waste time sharpening or asking others for spare pencils during the test. 

An Approved Calculator

You will only be able to use your approved calculator for the math sections. Any scientific calculator and most graphing calculators are acceptable. Four function calculators are also acceptable but not recommended. Only battery-operated, handheld calculators can be used. No power cords are allowed.

Approved calculator brands include:

• Casio
• Hewlett-Packard
• Radio Shack
• Sharp
• Texas Instruments

Click here for a full list of SAT approved calculator models.

Click here for a full list of ACT approved calculator models.

The following types of calculators are NOT permitted:

• Laptops, other computers, tablets, cellphones, smartphones, or iPads
• Models that can access the Internet and/or have Bluetooth, wireless, audio/video recording or playing, camera, or any other smartphone-like feature
• Models that have a typewriter-like keypad, pen input, or stylus
• Approved calculators with additional hardware features
• Models that use electrical outlets, make noise, or have a paper tape
• Some models with touchscreen capability (e.g. Casio ClassPad)

The possession of any non-approved devices during the test will result in your being dismissed from the test and your scores automatically being cancelled. Find out more about calculators on test day.

Nice to Have (but not required)

Watch (without an audible alarm)

Having a watch can help you keep track of the time and therefore help you pace yourself. A watch with an audible alarm is not allowed and can result in your dismissal from the test.

Extra Batteries and Backup Equipment

These can be helpful just in case something happens to your calculator and you’re not left stranded without one. Note that you’ll need permission to access them. You won’t be able to keep them on your desk during the test.

A Bag/Backpack

Bringing a bag makes it possible for you to keep organized and have everything in one place. You can also pack your bag the night before the test so you don't forget anything you really need.

Snacks/Water

There will be a couple of 5-minute breaks during the test during which you can have snacks. Snacks can be eaten outside the testing room. You will not be allowed to eat while you’re actually taking the test. The test is at least 3 hours long, so having some snacks can help sustain you. Getting enough water is also important for optimal memory, focus, and concentration.

What Not to Bring

Possession of any of the following items during the test can result in your being dismissed from the test and your scores automatically being canceled. Note that there are few exceptions in the case of test takers with disabilities, and any accommodations must be approved ahead of time by the College Board’s or ACT’s Services for Students with Disabilities.

ANY Electronic Devices

This includes cell phones, smart phones, iPods, iPads, tablets, laptops, other computers, cameras, devices that can transmit and receive audio, photo, or video, or any other texting or personal computing device. The only exception is a CD player if you’re taking an SAT Foreign Language Subject Test with Listening (only offered once a year).

Notebooks, Cheat Sheets, Scratch Paper, Books, or Pamphlets

Scratch paper and any other information you need to know will be provided to you in your test booklet. The SAT and ACT are not open-book or open-note tests. You have hopefully spent ample time preparing and have the tools you need to answer the questions.

Dictionaries

No exceptions, even if English is not your first language. If you don’t know the meaning of a word, you should be able to figure it out from context, just as you have hopefully spent the last few months practicing.

Protractors, Compasses, or Rulers

You will not need them and you may not use them anyway. Any measurement information will be provided to you in your test booklet.

Colored Pens, Highlighters, Colored Pencils

Any writing or scratch notes you make during the test may only be done in your test booklet, and any markings in your test booklet must be done in pencil.

If you have any questions about what you can and cannot bring, please contact College Board or ACT ahead of time so that you are not taken off guard the morning of the test.

Find out what not to do the night before the night of the SAT by clicking here. 

To learn more about the ACT click here.

Find out what you should eat for breakfast the day of the test. 

 

Is your test coming up? Take a look at a few sample questions to prepare last minute using a TestRocker Free Trial. 

*The new test date only applies to US based students. 

The August SAT was first provided in 2017 as a better option for students to use right before their final school year to begin. It was so popular that test centers filled up their seats and students were scrambling to find seats in alternative centers. 

New SAT Date in August 2018

 Not sure you’re ready to take the SAT in June or July but don’t want to wait until the fall either? Well, there’s good news. There’s now going to be an SAT date in August. Here’s what we know so far.

 

 When is the first August SAT?

The August SAT will be administered for the first time on August 26, 2018. The following table shows the remaining SAT dates for 2018 with registration deadlines.

TABLE: Remaining SAT Dates and Registration Deadlines for 2018

SAT Date	Available In	Registration Deadline
August 25, 2018	US only	July 27, 2018
October 6, 2018	Worldwide	September 7, 2018
November 3, 2018	US only	October 5, 2018
December 1, 2018	Worldwide	November 2, 2018

Register for the SAT here, and then start a TestRocker Free Trial to start prepping here. 

Still need to study? 

Download this last minute August SAT calendar to get ready. 

Where will the August 2018 SAT be available?

The August 2018 SAT will be available in the US only. International test centers will not be offering the August 2018 SAT.

Why should I consider taking the August SAT?

There are several reasons to consider taking the SAT in August. Some of these reasons are listed below.

1. You have the entire summer to prepare

During the summer, you’ll be able to study for the test without the additional pressure of classes and afterschool activities. Furthermore, getting the test out of the way before the start of the school year will give you more time in the fall to focus on other parts of your college application. If you need ideas for studying over the summer read this blog on How to Prepare For the SAT/ACT This Summer. 

2. Perfect if you’re applying early

If you’re planning on applying to any colleges early decision or early action, you’re probably looking at an application deadline of mid-October. If you take the SAT in August, you’ll have your scores in time for the October deadline. Learn about Early Decision and Early Action applications here. 

3. Free up your time in the Fall to focus on other things

Getting your SAT testing out of the way frees up additional time for you to spend on the rest of your college application in the fall. Still need to take a subject test or two before you submit your application? Now you can use the October test date to get those done! Remember, you can take up to 3 subject tests in one day, but you can't take the SAT and subject tests on the same day. 

August is perfect to start studying for the August SAT. Get started on your prep right now.

Studying for the SAT and ACT is tricky business, and quite often, students find themselves using ineffective study techniques. Below is a list of 5 things you shouldn't do as you prepare for the SAT/ACT.

Get Free SAT & ACT Practice Questions

1. Waiting Until the Last Minute

Getting comfortable with the ACT and SAT takes time, and waiting until the last minute just adds more anxiety to an already stressful situation. Give yourself a few months’ time to prepare. If the test date is approaching and you only have a few weeks left, then click here to download a free last minute SAT prep calendar. As a next step, make sure you register for the next available test date far in advance so you can prepare over a longer period of time. 

2. Skipping Particular Sections You’re Strong In

You might think that if you’re strong in one subject/topic, you are better off skipping that section during your test prep to save time. However, in addition to understanding the content, the ACT and SAT are also about how to be a good test taker. You might know how to answer a question correctly, but do you know how to answer it correctly in under 1 minute? So yes, if you know a topic well, you should spend less time on it - however ignoring it completely isn't a good idea either! Not sure which topics you're strong vs. weak in? Click here to take a free diagnostic test and instantly view your customized study plan.

3. Relying on Memory Tricks 

Memory tricks are all about memorizing associations and are often used as shortcuts to pass a test. These memory tricks can work in the short term, but they don’t actually help you to learn the material, and they are certainly not effective for the SAT and ACT. However, there are highly effective strategies that can be applied for these tests. Get 20 free SAT strategies that will improve your score here. 

4. Making Flashcards

Flashcards may be effective in helping you memorize definitions of words. Many students feel that spending time making flashcards is an effective way to study for SAT vocabulary because the action of writing down  a word and definition can help in retention of the word itself. Truth? This is one of the biggest time wasters! The SAT doesn’t test your ability to regurgitate definitions. Instead, they test your ability to understand vocabulary in context (i.e. knowing how to use it in a sentence). Instead of wasting time making flashcards, spend time learning how to apply words in sentences. Watch this quick video to see how TestRocker’s vocabulary game helps you strengthen your vocab without being a complete bore!

 

5. Taking Too Many Full-Length Tests

A full-length SAT or ACT will take you over 3 hours, plus grading and figuring out what you got wrong. Multiply that by however many practice tests you plan on taking, and that’s a whole lot of hours that could be better spent elsewhere. Significant score improvements come from learning the concepts being tested, not just from doing the same things over and over. Only once you have a solid understanding of the concepts should you start taking full-length practice tests so that you get used to the test format. 

 Summer is coming up, which means fun in the sun, traveling, barbecues, spending time with friends, and of course, relaxing. But did you know, summer is also a great time to prep for the SAT/ACT? Before you dismiss the idea, hear us out.

 

 

 

When the school year starts, you’re going to be busy with your classes, extracurriculars, and college application, all while having some semblance of a life. Adding rigorous test prep to that list of to-dos would be even more stressful. Spending dedicated time during the summer will have you feeling confident and ready by the time you need to take the test at the end of the summer. Learn about the new August SAT here. See upcoming ACT test dates here. 

Below are 4 ways to study for the SAT/ACT this summer. The best part is that you can do these while out on your patio or on vacation.

1. Pinpoint your weaknesses.

   There are 35+ topics tested for on the SAT/ACT. We are sure that you don't need to focus on all topics with equal importance. There are some topics you're stronger at, and others you need to improve in. Figuring out which ones you're weaker at is a good first step to your test prep. You can do this by taking TestRocker's free diagnostic test - it will analyze your results and instantly tell you which areas you need to focus on. If you're not sure whether you should take the SAT or the ACT (or both), click here to find out in less than 3 minutes. 

2. Solidify your concepts.

   Now that you know your weak areas, don't panic. Chances are that you learned these topics a long time ago, and you just need a refresher of the concepts. Don't just do random practice questions without understanding the concepts. Why? Here's a good example: a math problem asks you to answer a question about isosceles triangle ACD. Now if you can't recall what an isosceles triangle is, it is going to be a waste of time to attempt that question. TestRocker helps you learn (or relearn) the SAT/ACT concepts you're weak at through concept video chapter overviews. These videos include everything you need to know about each topic. Don't skip this step - strong conceptual understanding of the topics will lead to high score increases. 

3. Increase speed and accuracy.

   Once you've got a good grasp on your concepts, use your test prep to increase the speed with which you answer questions. Start testing yourself with short, timed and targeted practice drills. You want to be able to answer questions in under a minute on test day. You also want to answer them correctly, so focus on accuracy and avoid careless mistakes. The more you practice, the better you will get. The secret is to do shorter quizzes or drills vs. attempt a full length practice test each time. TestRocker helps you with this step by giving you access to timed practice drills for every topic. Each drill comes with video explanations and time-saving strategies. Sign up for a free trial to see example video explanations. 

4. Read voraciously. 

   Read everything and anything that interests you. So much of the SAT and ACT is about reading comprehension and interpretation, so reading on your own is a great way to study. Choose any books and newspapers that you enjoy and read them with a critical eye. If you come across words that you don’t know, try to use context clues to determine the meaning. Check out some of our free SAT strategies for reading comprehension. You can also see how TestRocker's vocabulary game can be a great resource. Warning, it is addictive! 

Test prep during the summer doesn’t have to be a dreadful experience. By spending a few hours each week preparing, you’re doing yourself a great favor. So get some studying in, relax, and enjoy yourself!

Fall semester of senior year can be nerve-wracking while you’re working on all your college applications and making sure you get them in on time. What’s more, you want to make sure you’re doing everything you can to get into your top-choice colleges. To help keep you on track, we’ve written descriptions of the most common types of application deadlines and what they entail. Look here to learn how to build your  application list.

Early Decision

Early Decision deadlines are typically in October or November, and you’ll usually get an answer before winter break. It is a way of indicating to the college that it is your top choice and that you intend to enroll if you are accepted. If there’s one college that you have your heart absolutely set on and is your top choice, you might want to take advantage of the Early Decision application deadline if the college offers it.  This is likely to increase your chances of getting in, and if you do get in, you get to relax during your second semester. The caveat? Early Decision is binding. If you are accepted to a college Early Decision, you must withdraw all your other college applications and commit to attending your Early Decision college. For this reason, you should only apply to a college Early Decision if you are sure that it is your top choice.

If you still need to take the SAT or ACT during your senior year then any early decision application might not be for you. See this about whether or not you should take the test again. 

Early Action

The timeline for Early Action is similar to that of Early Decision. The difference is that it is non-binding. In other words, even if you are accepted, you are not obligated to attend. Some schools split Early Action into Early Action I and Early Action II. The deadlines are usually between October and November and decisions are usually made between December and January. While you can only apply Early Decision to one school, you can apply Early Action to multiple schools. The caveat is that some schools only offer Single Choice Early Action, which is discussed below.

Single Choice Early Action

Single Choice Early Action is similar to Early Action in that it is non-binding, but is different in that it is exclusive to that school. In other words, if you’re applying to a school Single Choice Early Action, you cannot apply to other schools Early Action. While this type of application deadline is rare, it is a way of demonstrating your interest in the school, which can increase your chances of getting in.

Regular Decision

Almost all colleges have a regular decision deadline, which is usually between December and January. You’ll usually get an answer starting in February or March, but definitely no later than April. Regular decision is non-binding and non-exclusive, so as long as you haven’t gotten into a college Early Decision, you can send out as many Regular Decision applications as you want.

Rolling Admissions

Colleges with a Rolling Admissions cycle will accept applications all throughout the year until they fill capacity, so you could apply all the way through April or even the summer. However, the earlier that you submit your application, the better your chances of getting in. It is recommended that you submit Rolling Admissions applications around the same time you would a Regular Decision application. Rolling Admissions is non-binding and non-exclusive. The one caveat with Rolling Admissions is that specific programs might have specific deadlines, so be sure to check on these before you apply.

Rolling Admissions will buy you some additional time. You may want to think about  superscoring your SAT & ACT scores during that time. Learn about superscoring here. 

Running Out of Time? Download our 1 Month Prep Calendars.

 

Table: Application Deadlines For Top Universities Fall 2017 Semester

College	Early Decision	Early Action	Regular Decision	Rolling Admission
University of California Berkley	Does not offer	Does not offer	November 30th	Does not offer
The Ohio State University	Does not offer	Does not offer	February 1st	June 1st
Cornell University	November 1st	Does not offer	January 2nd	Does not offer
University of Notre Dame	Does not offer	November 1st	January 1st	Does not offer
Brown University	November 1st	Does not offer	January 1st	Does not offer
University of Central Florida	Does not offer	Does not offer	May 1st	May 1st
University of Pennsylvania	November 1st	Does not offer	January 1st	Does not offer
Massachusettes Institute of Technology	Does not offer	November 1st	January 1st	Does not offer
Princeton University	Does not offer	November 1st	November 1st	Does not offer
Harvard University	Does not offer	November 1st	January 1st	Does not offer
Arizona State Unviersity	October 3rd	Does not offer	Feb 1st (Int.) April 3rd (US)	Feb 1st (Int.) April 3rd (US)

While the table above represents the dates for application deadlines, some universities require receiving test scores at different time. The table below indicates the latest test dates a student can take the SAT and ACT in order to apply early decision/early action for a particular universities.

TABLE: The latest SAT & ACT test dates for Early Decision or Early Action applications.

School	SAT Dates	ACT Dates
Cornell	October 6th	October 27th
Notre Dame	October 6th	September 8th
Brown University	October 6th	October 27th
University of Pennsylvania	November 3rd	October 27th
Massachusettes Institute of Technology	November 3rd	October 27th
Princeton University	November 3rd	October 27th
Harvard University	November 3rd	October 27th

 

Below is a table showing the last SAT and ACT test dates a student can take in order to apply on time for Regular Decision applications at particular schools. 

TABLE: The latest SAT & ACT test dates for Regular Decision college applications.

School	SAT Dates	ACT Dates
University of California Berkley	January 21st	April 13th
The Ohio State University	December 2nd	December 8th
Cornell	December 2nd	December 8th
Notre Dame	October 6th	September 8th
Brown University	December 2nd	December 8th
University of Pennsylvania	December 2nd	December 8th
Massachusettes Institute of Technology	December 2nd	December 8th
Princeton University	December 2nd	December 8th
Harvard University	December 2nd	December 8th

Having a solid understanding of the different types of application deadlines is important for planning out your college application process, and it keeps you on track during your fall semester.

Get Additional Help With an Expert For Free

 

Have you ever submitted a test and thought to yourself, "I would do so much better on that test if I could retake it!" ? Most of the time, a do-over or retake isn't an option. However, when it comes to the SAT & ACT tests, multiple attempts are important (within limits). 

How many times CAN I take the SAT/ACT? Technically, you can take the ACT up to 12 times and the SAT as many times as you want. 

 

Get a Completely Personalized SAT/ACT Test Taking Plan

Should I take the them more than once? 

The short answer is yes, Yes, YES! Whichever test you decide to take, you want the score to be the highest it can possibly be. Even if you're a great test taker, unless you get a perfect score, there is room for improvement. There could be many reasons why you didn't get the score you are capable of. Some factors could even be out of your control, such as, feeling unwell on testing day, not sleeping well the night before the test, blanking out on a section, a personal emergency etc. Still not convinced? Read more about why you want your test scores to be the highest they can possibly be. 

You can also retake the tests in order to submit your superscore. Click here to learn all about Superscoring your test score. 

How many times should I take the SAT/ACT?

While retaking the tests to improve your scores is recommended, we discourage our students from retaking them more than 2 or 3 times.

Here are 3 reasons why taking the test more than 3 times is not a good idea:

1. It is unlikely that your score will continue to improve after 3 attempts. 

We have found that after the 3^rd attempt, your score is likely to not go up drastically. Taking the test more than 3 times and getting the same—or possibly lower—results can only lead to frustration. If you use these 20 SAT strategies they will help improve your next score. 

2. Some schools require you to submit all of your test scores.

This includes the scores that you’re not so proud of. While colleges will almost certainly look favorably upon improved scores over time, decreased scores over time won’t show you in the best light. For this reason, you also don’t want to take a real test as a practice test.

3. Your time is better spent elsewhere.

The tests are not the be all and end all when it comes to your college application. Also important are your grades, extracurriculars, recommendations, and essays. Use your time wisely, prepare for the test, study hard between attempts and then move on to the rest of your application. 

Remember that it can cost between $40 and $60 to register for the tests depending on whether you choose to do the writing section. If you don’t live in the US, register late, or have to modify your registration, you’ll end up incurring even more fees. After a few attempts, it’s just not worth it!

So give the tests your best. If you’re not thrilled with your score, you can always take it again. But taking it more than 2 or 3 times is not in your best interest.

Be prepared for your next test by creating a solid test taking plan. You can find a test taking planning guide here. 

Are You Taking the Right Test For You?

 

If you take the SAT or ACT more than once, you might be worried about your score in a particular section decreasing even if your composite or final score increases. In order to show yourself in the best light, some colleges will allow you to superscore the SAT or ACT.

What is SuperScoring?

Superscoring entails taking your highest score for each section of the test across all your test sittings and using the highest section scores to calculate your final score (SAT) or composite score (ACT).

Talk to an expert about how you can SuperScore ⇓

Table: SAT superscoring example.

	Math	Reading/Writing	Total
Attempt 1	650	700	1350
Attempt 2	710	650	1360
Superscore	710	700	1410

For example, let’s say you take the SAT once. You get a 650 in Math, and a 700 in Reading and Writing, giving you a final score of 1350.

You want to get that math score up, so you take it again. This time you get a 710 in Math, and a 650 in Reading and Writing, giving you a final score of 1360.

Superscoring allows you to take your highest section scores between both sittings to calculate your final score. So you would take your 710 in Math from the second test, and your 700 in Reading and Writing, giving you a final score of 1410. Get 20 SAT strategies to improve your score.

Table: ACT superscoring example.

	Reading	English	Math	Science	Total
Attempt 1	22	25	30	27	26
Attempt 2	27	26	23	23	25
Superscore	27	26	30	27	28

Now let’s say you take the ACT once. You get a 22 in Reading, a 25 in English, a 30 in Math, and a 27 in Science. Your composite score is 26. The second time you take it, you get a 27 in Reading, a 26 in English, a 23 in Math, and a 23 in Science. This gives you a composite score of 25.

Superscoring your ACT allows you to take your 27 in Reading from the first test, your 26 in English from the second, your 30 in Math from the first, and your 27 in Science from the first, making your composite score 28. Not sure if you should take the ACT again? Click here to find out why you should.

Do I superscore myself? Or does the college do it?

It depends on the college. Some colleges require you to submit all of your scores from each sitting. If they superscore, they will do the calculations. Some colleges recommend but do not require you to submit all your scores. Finally, some colleges allow you to choose which scores from which sittings you want to submit, allowing you to superscore on your own.

Which colleges allow you to superscore the SAT and/or ACT?

The table below lists colleges that allow you to superscore the SAT and/or the ACT along with their score submission policies. Explanations of the score submission policies are as follows:

Requires all: These colleges require you to submit every single one of your standardized test scores, both SAT and ACT, from all sittings.

Requires all SAT or ACT: These colleges require you to submit either all of your SAT scores from all sittings or all of your ACT scores from all sittings.

Recommends all: These colleges recommend but do not require that you submit all of your standardized test scores.

Score choice accepted: These colleges allow you to submit whichever scores from whichever sittings you would like.

Talk to an expert about how you can SuperScore ⇓

Keep in mind that colleges might change their policies from year to year, so be sure to check their admissions websites to get the most up-to-date information.

TABLE: List of universities that SuperScore, and score submission policies.

College	SAT Superscore Allowed?	ACT Superscore Allowed?	Score Submission Policy
Abilene Christian University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Adelphi University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Agnes Scott College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Albion College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Allegheny College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
American University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Amherst College	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Appalachian State University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Arizona State University-Tempe	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Austin College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Babson College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Baldwin Wallace University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Bard College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Barnard College	Yes	No	Requires all SAT or ACT
Baylor University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Beloit College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Bennington College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Bentley University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Berea College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Berry College	Yes	No	Recommends all
Binghamton University-SUNY	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Biola University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Birmingham-Southern College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Boston College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Bowdoin College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Brandeis University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Brown University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Bryn Mawr College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Bucknell University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Butler University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
California Institute of Technology	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
California Lutheran University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
California State University-Fresno	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
California State University-Fullerton	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
California State University-Long Beach	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
California State University-Los Angeles	Yes	Yes	Requires all SAT or ACT
California State University-Monterey Bay	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
California State University-Northridge	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Carleton College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Carnegie Mellon University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Case Western Reserve University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Centre College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Chapman University	Yes	No	Recommends all
Christopher Newport University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Claremont McKenna College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Clark University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Clarkson University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Clemson University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Colby College	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Colgate University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
College of Charleston	Yes	No	Recommends all
College of New Jersey	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
College of St. Benedict	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
College of the Holy Cross	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
College of William and Mary	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
College of Wooster	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Colorado College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Colorado State University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Columbia University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Concordia College-Moorhead	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Connecticut College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Cooper Union	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Cornell College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Cornell University	Yes	Yes	Requires all SAT or ACT
Creighton University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
CUNY-Baruch College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Dartmouth College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Davidson College	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Dennison University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
DePauw University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Dickinson College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Drew University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Drexel University	Yes	No	Recommends all
Duke University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Duquesne University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Earlham College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Elon University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Emerson College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Emory University	Yes	No	Recommends all
Fairfield University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Florida Institute of Technology	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Fordham University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Franklin and Marshall College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Furman University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Gallaudet University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
George Mason University	Yes	No	Recommends all
George Washington University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Georgetown University	Yes	No	Requires all
Georgia Institute of Technology	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Gettysburg College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Gonzaga College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Goshen College	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Goucher College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Grinnell College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Hamilton College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Hampden-Sydney College	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Hampton University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Hanover College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Harvard University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Harvey Mudd College	Yes	Yes	Requires all
Haverford College	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Hendrix College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
High Point University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Hobart and William Smith Colleges	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Hofstra University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Hollins University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Howard University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Humboldt State University	Yes	Yes	Requires all SAT or ACT
Illinois Institute of Technology	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Indiana University-Bloomington	Yes	Yes	Score choice okay
Ithaca College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
James Madison University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Johns Hopkins University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Kalamazoo College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Kenyon College	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Knox College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Lafayette College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Lake Forest College	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Lawrence University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Lehigh University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Lewis & Clark College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Loyola Marymount University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Loyola University Maryland	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Loyola University New Orleans	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Luther College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Marist College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Mercer University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Miami University-Oxford	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Middlebury College	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Mills College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Millsaps College	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Milwaukee School of Engineering	Yes	No	Recommends all
Mississippi State University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Morehouse College	Yes	Contact college	Score choice accepted
Muhlenberg College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
New College of Florida	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
New Jersey Institute of Technology	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
New York University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
North Carolina State University-Raleigh	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Northeastern University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Northwestern University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Oberlin College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Occidental College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Ohio University	Yes	No	Recommends all
Ohio Wesleyan University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Pacific Lutheran University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Pepperdine University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Pitzer College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Point Loma Nazarene University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Pomona College	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Pratt Institute	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Presbyterian College (SC)	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Princeton University	Yes	No	Recommends all
Providence College	Yes	No	Recommends all
Purdue University-West Lafayette	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Queens University of Charlotte	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Quinnipiac University	Yes	No	Recommends all
Randolph-Macon College	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Reed College	Yes	No	Recommends all
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Rhodes College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Rice University	Yes	No	Requires all SAT or ACT
Rochester Institute of Technology	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Rollins College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-New Brunswick	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-Newark	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Samford University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
San Diego State University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
San Francisco State University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
San Jose State University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Santa Clara University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Sarah Lawrence College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Scripps College	Yes	No	Requires all SAT or ACT
Seattle University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Seton Hall University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Sewanee-University of the South	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Siena College	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Simmons College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Skidmore College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Smith College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Soka University of America	Yes	Yes	Requires all SAT or ACT
Southern Methodist University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Southwestern University	Yes	No	Recommends all
Spelman College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
St. John Fisher College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
St. John’s College Annapolis	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
St. John’s University (NY)	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
St. Lawrence University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
St. Mary’s College (IN)	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
St. Mary’s College of California	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
St. Mary’s College of Maryland	Yes	No	Recommends all
St. Michael’s College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
St. Olaf College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Stanford University	Yes	Yes	Requires all
Stetson University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Stevens Institute of Technology	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Stonehill College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Stony Brook University-SUNY	Yes	No	Recommends all
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
SUNY-Geneseo	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Susquehanna University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Swarthmore College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Syracuse University	Yes	Yes	Requires all
Taylor University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Temple University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Texas Christian University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Texas Lutheran University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
The Catholic University of America	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
The Citadel	Yes	No	Requires all SAT or ACT
Thomas Aquinas College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Transylvania University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Trinity College (Hartford)	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Trinity University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Tufts University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Tulane University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Union College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
United States Air Force Academy	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
United States Coast Guard Academy	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
United States Military Academy	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
United States Naval Academy	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
University at Albany-SUNY	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
University at Buffalo-SUNY	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
University of Arkansas-Fayetteville	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
University of Chicago	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
University of Colorado-Boulder	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
University of Connecticut	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
University of Dallas	Yes	No	Recommends all
University of Denver	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
University of Florida	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
University of Georgia	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
University of Hawaii at Manoa	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
University of Kentucky	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
University of La Verne	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
University of Mary Washington	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
University of Maryland-College Park	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
University of Massachusetts-Amherst	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
University of Miami	Yes	Yes	Requires all SAT or ACT
University of New Hampshire	Yes	No	Recommends all
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
University of North Carolina-Wilmington	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
University of Notre Dame	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
University of Oregon	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
University of Pennsylvania	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
University of Pittsburgh	Yes	No	Recommends all
University of Portland	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
University of Puget Sound	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
University of Redlands	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
University of Richmond	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
University of Rochester	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
University of San Diego	Yes	No	Recommends all
University of San Francisco	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
University of South Carolina	Yes	No	Requires all
University of South Florida	Yes	No	Recommends all
University of Southern California	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
University of St. Thomas (MN)	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
University of Tennessee	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
University of Texas-Dallas	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
University of the Pacific	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
University of Tulsa	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
University of Vermont	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
University of Virginia	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Ursinus College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Valparaiso University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Vanderbilt University	Yes	No	Recommends all
Vassar College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Villanova University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Virginia Commonwealth University	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Virginia Military Institute	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Wabash College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Wake Forest University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Washington and Jefferson College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Washington and Lee University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Washington College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Washington State University	Yes	Yes	Recommends all
Washington University in St. Louis	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Wellesley College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Wesleyan University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Westmont College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Wheaton College (IL)	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Whitman College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Willamette College	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Williams College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Wofford College	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Worcester Polytechnic Institute	Yes	No	Score choice accepted
Xavier University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted
Yale University	Yes	No	Requires all SAT or ACT
Yeshiva University	Yes	Yes	Score choice accepted

 

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Taking the SAT or ACT is stressful enough as it is. But then to blank out during the test and to feel like the answers are just not coming to you might send your head spinning even more. If you find yourself blanking out during the test, there are a few things you can do to get yourself back on track.

1. Breathe.

Don’t underestimate the power of breathing. Sometimes blanking out is the result of stress. Then when you can’t think of the answer you might stress out more, which leads to a vicious cycle. Stepping back and taking some deep breaths can break the cycle. Close your eyes and take 5-10 deep breaths in and out through your nose. You might be surprised at how you feel afterwards.

 

2. Just get your pencil moving.

Write something. Anything. When you start working out a problem or underlining a part of a reading passage, you might jog your memory and the answer might come to you. You know more than you think you do. So just get that pencil moving and see what comes of it.

3. Skip the question and come back to it.

The clock is ticking, and you don’t want to waste precious time on a question that’s stumping you. If you find that you’re spending more than a minute or two on a question, move on to the questions that you do know and come back to this one later. Taking a break and working on other questions might help jog your memory and will also help you pace yourself.

Get more helpful tips to improve your SAT score by viewing the 20 Best SAT Test Taking Strategies.

4. Take your best guess.

There is no penalty for wrong answers on the tests, so if all else fails, just take your best guess. You might even guess correctly. By filling in one of the bubbles, you have a 25% chance of choosing the right answer, which is better than a 0% chance from not filling in anything. To maximize your chances of guessing correctly, try to use logic, evidence, plug-ins, and visuals to help you out. 

Blanking out during a test can be scary, but the strategies above should be able to help you center yourself and get you back on the right track.

 Setup a consultation with a TestRocker expert to help get you ready for your test!

 

We’ve all heard a million times that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But who has time to make and enjoy a healthy breakfast when there’s so much else to do?

Unfortunately, with our busy schedules, many of us find ourselves skipping breakfast. If you’re taking the SAT or ACT any time soon, skipping breakfast is a habit you’re going to want to break. If you’re not a regular breakfast eater, ideally you should introduce it back into your routine a week or two before the test so that you don’t have an upset stomach the day of.

Taking your test soon? Get 20 last minute strategies to instantly increase your score.

SAT or ACT

What You Should Eat

So what should you have for breakfast the morning of the test? You should definitely have something you enjoy. This will help you de-stress and put you in a good mood. That said, you want to make sure you’re giving your body and the brain the proper nutrients to keep you on your A-game. 

1. Protein, protein, protein! This can include eggs, dairy products, or nuts.
2. Whole grains. Instead of having white bread, try going for whole wheat bread. Oatmeal or granola with fruits or yogurt is also a great option. 
3. Other ideas for a healthy breakfast include eggs Florentine, breakfast burritos in a whole-wheat tortilla, an omelet with vegetables, and steel-cut oatmeal with bananas and peanut butter. 
4. In the mood for something lighter? Maybe have a protein or granola bar or a smoothie with milk, fruit, and protein powder.
5. Also make sure you have at least a glass of water before the test and bring water with you to the test center.

What Not To Eat

• As tasty as they might be, you want to avoid sugary foods and coffee. While they may give you an initial energy boost, you might experience a sudden energy crash during the test.
• It’s also not a good idea to eat anything you’re not used to. It’s not a great idea to test your stomach right before going into a 4 to 5 hour test. 

As for after the test? Go ahead and spoil yourself! You’ve worked hard and you deserve it. Hopefully you can keep up this healthy breakfast routine even after the test. 

See SAT FAQ

See ACT FAQ

Can I Eat During The Test?

The day of the test, you’ll likely be at the test center for anywhere between 4 and 5 hours. You’re not allowed to have food with you during the test and you’re only given a couple of 5-minute breaks to step into the hall and munch on something. If you have a healthy breakfast before heading to the test center, not only will you be able to sustain yourself during the test, but you’ll also perform better. Plus, there’s nothing more distracting than a grumbly tummy.

What Kinds of Snacks Should I Take To My SAT or ACT Test?

Snacks are a good way to re-charge during breaks. Take small bite items like granola bars, apples, pretzels, nuts and dry fruit etc. Stay away from anything too messy (dirty hands), spicy (upset stomach) or too sweet (sugar high). 

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