Here’s your step-by-step guide to using the summer months wisely so your student is ready to succeed:

Step 1: Start with a Diagnostic Test

Before anything else, take a full-length, timed practice test—ideally both the SAT and ACT if your student hasn’t already. These diagnostics will reveal baseline scores, pinpoint strengths and gaps, and help determine which test is the better fit.

Once you know which test your student will focus on, you can build a prep plan around their actual needs, not assumptions.

Step 2: Choose One Test and Commit

Colleges don’t prefer one test over the other. What matters is which test your student is more comfortable with—and can perform well on. Based on the diagnostic results, pick either the SAT or ACT and commit to it. Avoid bouncing between tests. The most effective prep is focused and intentional.

For students aiming for the August 24 SAT or the September 14 ACT, now is the time to lock in that decision.

Step 3: Build a Realistic Prep Timeline

Effective test prep usually takes 8 to 12 weeks. That’s why summer is ideal—it gives you a clear block of time to work without competing demands from school and extracurriculars.

Here’s a sample 10-week prep structure:

• Weeks 1–2: Build foundational content knowledge and test-taking strategies
• Weeks 3–6: Target weak spots and refine timing
• Weeks 7–9: Take full-length proctored practice tests
• Week 10: Light review and stress management techniques

Students should plan on 2 to 3 hours of prep per week for most of the summer, increasing to 4 to 6 hours in the final weeks before the test.

Step 4: Schedule Practice Tests Early and Often

Practice tests are essential. They build stamina, highlight progress, and reduce test-day anxiety. We recommend that students take at least two full-length, proctored practice tests during the summer.

If possible, schedule the first practice test in June or early July and the second one in early August. Treat these as rehearsals for the real thing—same time of day, same timing rules, and no distractions.

Step 5: Consider Tutoring or a Structured Program

Every student has a different learning style. Some are self-motivated and can work through a prep book or online course independently. Others do best with structure and accountability. That’s where one-on-one tutoring or small group classes can make a big difference.

A good tutor won’t just drill practice questions. They’ll help your student build a sensible plan, keep them on track, and teach them how to think like a test-maker.

Step 6: Balance Prep with Rest

Burnout is real. The best summer test prep plans include time to rest, travel, and recharge. Students don’t need to spend their entire summer studying to see real gains. They just need a plan that’s steady and focused.



One of the biggest advantages of summer prep is lower stress. Without the pressures of homework and packed after-school schedules, students are often more receptive to new strategies and willing to do the work.