--- title: Help Your Teen Prepare for the ACT or SAT description: Help Your Teen Prepare for the ACT or SAT image: https://blog.arborbridge.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_33013187_small-9.jpg --- [![arb-logo@2x](https://blog.arborbridge.com/hubfs/arb-logo@2x.png)](https://www.arborbridge.com/) - [Our Services](https://arborbridge.com/our-services/) - [Academic Support](http://arborbridge.com/academic-programs/) - [SAT](https://arborbridge.com/sat/) - [ACT](https://arborbridge.com/act/) - [Subject Tests](http://arborbridge.com/subject-test/) - [AP & IB](http://arborbridge.com/ap-ib/) - [ISEE & SSAT](http://arborbridge.com/isee-ssat/) - [GRE & GMAT](http://arborbridge.com/gmat-gre-programs/) - [TOEFL](https://www.arborbridge.com/toefl-prep/) - [About Us](https://arborbridge.com/about/) - [Library](https://testprep.arborbridge.com) - [Pricing](https://www.arborbridge.com/tutoring-pricing/) - [Academic Pricing](https://www.arborbridge.com/academic-pricing/) - [SAT Pricing](https://www.arborbridge.com/sat-pricing/) - [ACT Pricing](https://www.arborbridge.com/act-pricing/) - [Subject Test Pricing](https://www.arborbridge.com/subject-test-pricing/) - [AP & IB Pricing](https://www.arborbridge.com/ap-ib-pricing/) - [ISEE & SSAT Pricing](https://www.arborbridge.com/isee-ssat-pricing/) - [GRE & GMAT Pricing](https://www.arborbridge.com/gre-gmat-pricing/) - [TOEFL Pricing](https://www.arborbridge.com/toefl-pricing/) - [Contact Us](https://arborbridge.com/contact-us/) # Help Your Teen Prepare for the ACT or SAT ![Lisa Helmers](https://blog.arborbridge.com/hubfs/ArborBridge_Resource_Library/Branding/Team_Headshots/Lisa.jpg) by [Lisa Helmers](https://blog.arborbridge.com/author/lisa-helmers) November 03, 2014 ![](https://blog.arborbridge.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Depositphotos_33013187_small-9.jpg) *Originally appeared in the Orange County Register. Link to article [here](http://www.ocregister.com/articles/sat-640360-child-one.html).* #### Here are a few tips for parents who want to help their children perform their best on these critical exams: **1. Choose the SAT or ACT.** Most colleges will accept either score, so there’s no need to take both. Which is best for your child depends on his or her learning style: the ACT tests advanced academic concepts in a straightforward way, and the SAT tests reasoning skills rooted in very basic academic concepts. However, the College Board announced a redesigned SAT test for 2016, so students taking the exam in 2016, 2017 or 2018 might want to take the ACT instead, as it will take a few years for educators to catch up with what the new exam entails. **2. Set a timeline.** Students should take a diagnostic SAT or ACT test during the fall of their junior year to provide ample time to study and prepare. This prep test identifies students’ strengths and weaknesses, giving them a better understanding of how to study. **3. Know when to bring in outside help.** If your child struggles with self-guided textbooks or in group courses, an individual tutor – online or in person – may be the right choice. Before investing in any one-on-one training, be sure to keep your (and your child’s) expectations in check. On average, students who complete 12 hours of tutoring improve SAT scores by 200 points. **4. Pick the right study method.** Regardless of which prep method you and your child choose, make sure it is tailored to his or her needs. The majority of studying time should be focused on improving weaknesses in the concepts that will provide the highest score increase. In general, the best ways to customize prep is through a self-guided online course or with a one-on-one tutor. **5. Take practice tests, and then take them again.** Taking timed, full-length practice tests is one of the most important things your child can to do improve performance and expose problem areas. Just like training for an athletic event, building up the brain’s endurance will enable your child to avoid the silly errors that come from test fatigue.   - ![](https://blog.arborbridge.com/hubfs/2020%20Assets/images/print.svg) - [![](https://blog.arborbridge.com/hubfs/2020%20Assets/images/facebook.svg)](https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https://blog.arborbridge.com/help-teen-prepare-act-sat%2F&linkname=) - [![](https://blog.arborbridge.com/hubfs/2020%20Assets/images/twitter.svg)](https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https://blog.arborbridge.com/help-teen-prepare-act-sat%2F&linkname=) - [![](https://blog.arborbridge.com/hubfs/2020%20Assets/images/linkedin.svg)](https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/linkedin?linkurl=https://blog.arborbridge.com/help-teen-prepare-act-sat%2F&linkname=) ![Lisa Helmers](https://blog.arborbridge.com/hubfs/ArborBridge_Resource_Library/Branding/Team_Headshots/Lisa.jpg) [![](https://blog.arborbridge.com/hubfs/2020%20Assets/images/email.svg)](mailto:lisa@arborbridge.com) #### About Lisa Helmers Lisa joined the ArborBridge team at its inception and previously was an Associate Director at Launch Education Group. She oversees ArborBridge’s online presence, helping educate potential families on the cutting edge services offered by ArborBridge. Lisa graduated magna cum laude from Loyola Marymount University with a major in Sociology. ## You also might like: [Use Winter Break to Beat College Testing](https://blog.arborbridge.com/use-winter-break-beat-college-testing) [Escaping the Error Wheel: How to Stop Running Around in Circles Without Getting Anywhere](https://blog.arborbridge.com/escaping-error-wheel-stop-running-around-circles-without-getting-anywhere) [Back to School: Your Optimal Test Prep Timeline](https://blog.arborbridge.com/back-school-optimal-test-prep-timeline) [![footer-logo@2x](https://blog.arborbridge.com/hubfs/2020%20Assets/images/footer-logo@2x.png)](https://www.arborbridge.com/) 100 Main Street Suite #102 Port Washington, NY 11050 (917) 525-2548 info@arborbridge.com - [Our Tutoring Services](https://www.arborbridge.com/our-services/) - [Academic Support](https://www.arborbridge.com/academic-programs/) - [SAT](https://www.arborbridge.com/sat-programs/) - [ACT](https://www.arborbridge.com/act-programs/) - [AP & IB](https://www.arborbridge.com/ap-ib-programs/) - [ISEE & SSAT](https://www.arborbridge.com/isee-ssat-programs/) - [GRE & GMAT](https://www.arborbridge.com/gmat-gre-programs/) - [TOEFL](https://www.arborbridge.com/toefl-prep/) - [About ArborBridge](https://arborbridge.com/about/) - [Library](https://testprep.arborbridge.com/) - [Pricing](https://www.arborbridge.com/tutoring-pricing/) - [Contact Us](https://arborbridge.com/contact-us/) © 2026 ArborBridge, All rights reserved. - [Terms of Use](https://blog.arborbridge.com/hubfs/termsfeed-cookies-policy-pdf-english.pdf) - [Privacy Policy](https://blog.arborbridge.com/hubfs/privacy_policy.pdf)