Choosing ACT Preparation

We recommend that students take an ACT and SAT diagnostic in the spring of their Sophomore year to determine which test is better suited to their learning style.  Many students who prefer the ACT find many of the following to be true:

• Are fast readers and test takers.

• Prefer questions that are more straight-forward.

• Prefer that the math section comprises one out of three sections of their test, rather than two out of four.

• Are strong in the reading and English sections. As of September 2025, these two sections comprise 2/3 of the composite score, math the other 1/3. The science section is optional and is not part of the composite score.

• Prefer a science section that contains more charts, graphs, and tables, rather than reading passages.

• Are strong in the science section and would like to showcase those skills.

* Note - students who have special time accommodations granted to them should make their test selection based on test preference and their strengths.

Our ACT Tutorial

• We give our students a diagnostic before the commencement of an ACT tutorial to determine each student's needs.

• The recommended number of hours in a student's first tutorial is 18 hours. Students with higher starting scores need fewer hours.

• LDT tutors typically give two to four of the four ACT test sections for homework each week. Tutors focus their tutoring time with students on the sections of the test in need of the most improvement.

• Students take full diagnostic tests throughout the tutorial; the number of tests students take is based on their individual needs.

• LDT tutors use books with real tests and full solutions and encourage students to self-correct as much as possible. We find that students perform better if they take a more active role in their learning. Doing this is also shortens the number of hours needing to be purchased. * We realize that some students are heavily involved in activities and sports and are not able to be spend as much time self-correcting.

What if my child has already completed SAT prep and wishes to switch to the ACT?

• Since many of the skills learned in SAT prep are also used on the ACT, students can practice the ACT with minimal prep if they wish. Their time preparing and tutoring for the SAT has NOT been wasted for these students since the math, reading, and writing content knowledge and skills they develop during SAT preparation help to increase both SAT and ACT scores.

• Many students request more time working with their tutors on the science section, since that ACT section is different from the SAT science questions (within the reading section of the SAT).

• The structure of the reading is different in the ACT, so LDT tutors do spend time showing students these difference, but the skills used to excel in both reading sections are similar.

Should my child prepare for the SAT and ACT at the same time?

• LDT highly recommends that students only prepare for one of these tests at a time. Preparing for both tests simultaneously will most likely impede students' progress and full potential on both tests and lead to burn-out. Burn-out could also affect their academic performance in school. Students are extremely busy during their junior year and senior fall and must spend as much time as they can preparing for one test at a time, while balancing their studies, extracurricular activities, and sports schedules at school.