Testing/College Admissions FAQs

The ACT/SAT for most students is a process, not an event.  Many students take the ACT/SAT in October of their junior year, again in the Spring of the junior year, and again the fall of the senior year.  We recommend that they take the test in August, March, or June because of smaller data pools.

Working with Derrick first provides students with a true baseline score.  This provides a realistic picture of the student’s current testing ability and allows them to develop a testing plan specific to their strengths and weaknesses.  Taking our course first also helps eliminate any poor test taking habits or strategies before going through the actual process. That said, all data is good data and taking it before any test prep is not a bad plan.

There is no longer a writing section on the digital SAT. Grammar is included in the Reading section/score.

No. It depends on which college you want to go to.  There are some schools that are “test optional.”  You can see the list of those schools here. 

The ACT has had a reputation of being “easier” but, in reality, neither test is easy; they are different.  Their differences are mostly structural. The SAT is now digital and is composed of two sections: (1) the Reading and Writing section, and (2) the Math section. You have 64 minutes to complete the Reading and Writing section and 70 minutes to complete the Math section for a total of 2 hours and 14 minutes. Each section is divided into 2 equal length modules, and there is a 10-minute break between the Reading and Writing section and the Math section. The first module of each section contains a broad mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. Based on how you perform on the first module, the second module of questions will either be more difficult or less difficult. This is called an "adaptive" test.

The ACT is on paper still and has 4 sections: English 75?s 45 mins, Math 60?s 60 mins, Reading 40?s 35 mins, Science 40?s 35 mins. Although the question design of the ACT may be more straightforward than the SAT, the pacing of the ACT is more difficult.

It depends on your student.  We recommend that students take both.  Most students find that their scores correlate.  If a student scores “higher” on one test, then they should pursue more in-depth preparation for that particular test.

Both tests are norm-referenced, which means that they are scored against the average.  A 900 (combined critical reading and math) SAT score is about an 18 ACT composite score.  A 1000 combined SAT is about a 21 ACT composite.  1100 SAT is approximately a 24 ACT, a 1200 SAT is approximately a 27 ACT, a 1400 SAT is approximately a 32 ACT, and a combined 1600 SAT is equal to a 36 ACT composite.  The lowest possible combined SAT score is a 400 and the lowest ACT composite score is a 1. 

The SAT and ACT are both "norm-referenced" tests. This means that scores are scaled relative to an average, or "norm."

Super score is a term to describe taking the highest scaled math score and the highest scaled critical reading score as the combined SAT score - even if those scores came from separate test dates.  For example:  a student takes the January SAT and scores a 500 in Math and a 500 in Critical Reading.  Their combined score is now 1000.  The student takes the test for a second time in May and scores a 400 in Math and a 600 in Reading.  Their “Super Score” is now 1100.  Virtually every college accepts a Super Score and you can use your Super Score when qualifying for state scholarships. 

Yes at many schools. Each composite ACT score stands alone, but many admissions offices will take the highest score from each section and combine them into a superscore. 

Yes. We discourage parents from using the phrase “bad test taker,” which implies a deficiency on behalf of your student.  There is nothing wrong with your student.  They are not a bad test taker, they are simply taking a test unlike any they have been given before.  But in short, yes, we can help them. The ACT/SAT is not the same as a test given in school that tests students on a particular subject or set of facts.  The ACT/SAT is a critical thinking test that tests a student’s logic and reasoning skills.  One reason students do not perform well is because they don’t know what to expect.  We teach students the structure, scoring and strategies specific to each section.  We help students create an individualized plan of action to achieve the score they want to get.  We do not teach math, English grammar, or vocabulary, but instead teaching critical thinking strategies that they can apply on those sections. 

The test is the same every time it is offered.  The questions change but the structure and way it tries to confuse students does not.  The only thing that can change is how your student will approach the test.  We coach them on how to change their approach, mindset, and confidence so that they can be better prepared and achieve the score that they need.

Trigonometry.  First of all, the ACT/SAT is not a math test; it is a reasoning test.  Topically, the test uses Geometry, Algebra I, and some Algebra II questions to assess thinking skills.  However, students who have not taken an Algebra II or Trig class can still achieve a high math score if they are observant and use critical thinking skills. 

There is no limit to the amount of times you can take the test. 

No. Human Prep is a separate organization from the College Board. To register for the SAT you must visit https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/dates-deadlines and create an account to sign up for the test. If this is your first time to sign up you must submit a photo with your registration for the SAT. The photo you provide will become part of your student's Admission Ticket. You can read more about the photo requirements here.
Register for ACT here. 

To receive the Life scholarship a student must have 2 of the following:  a 3.0 GPA, a 1100 SAT/24 ACT score, and top 30% of their class in their sophomore, junior, or senior year.  To receive the Palmetto Fellows scholarship a student must be in the top 6% of their class in their sophomore, junior, or senior year and have a 1200 on the SAT (or a 27 on the ACT) OR have a 4.0 weighted GPA and a 1400 SAT score (or 32 ACT).  You can read more about the requirements for the Life scholarship the Palmetto Fellows scholarship here.

Ideally, no later than a student’s junior year, though the courses a student takes during the 11th grade are selected in the spring of the sophomore year.  We encourage families, particularly if considering selective schools, to contact us before choosing classes; a student’s junior year is often the last full year of grades an admission office sees before making an admission decision, and as a result is the most important year on a student’s transcript.  With that said, we are prepared to begin the college search or application process at any point in a student’s career.

We work with each student and family through the college search, admission, and financial aid processes to reduce anxiety and find the best college or university fit for your student and family.  Through professional experience in college admission offices and by taking the time to get to know a student and their particular strengths and needs, we provide accessible, informative counseling designed to offer each student multiple opportunities for enrollment.

Of course!  We encourage anyone considering our college counseling services to contact Derrick Smith.  During that conversation he can answer any questions you might have, describe the range and variety of services we offer, and learn a little more about your student.  At that point, families are invited to set up an initial meeting during which we will conduct an in-depth interview with the student and family.