SAT & ACT Test Prep
Free prep is just as good as expensive courses
You do not need to pay hundreds of dollars for SAT or ACT prep. The free resources available today — especially Khan Academy's official partnership with College Board — are genuinely as effective as any paid course. The key is consistency and practice, not money.
Practical next steps
Take a full practice test before you start
Sit down with an official timed practice test before studying anything. This gives you a real baseline and shows exactly which sections to focus on.
Create a free Khan Academy account and link it to College Board
Khan Academy has an official SAT partnership with College Board. Linking accounts personalizes your prep based on actual PSAT or practice test results — completely free.
Study 30–45 minutes per day, not marathon sessions
Short, consistent daily practice outperforms occasional cramming. Set a daily study time and stick to it for 8–12 weeks before your test date.
Focus on your weakest section first
If you're strongest in reading and weakest in math, spend 70% of your time on math. Improving a weak area moves your score more than polishing strengths.
Take at least 4 full timed practice tests
Full-length timed tests build stamina. Take one every 2–3 weeks. Review every wrong answer — understanding WHY you got something wrong matters most.
Register at least 5–6 weeks before test day
Seats fill up. Register early at sat.collegeboard.org or act.org. Bring your school ID and admission ticket.
Ask about in-school testing
Many Philadelphia public schools offer free SAT testing during the school day. Ask your counselor about School Day SAT — free and no travel needed.
Plan to take it more than once
Most students take it 2–3 times. Scores almost always improve. Many colleges use superscoring, which benefits you even more.
Resource starting points
- Khan Academy SAT Prep (Official & Free)
The only official free SAT prep — built with College Board.
- Official SAT Practice Tests
8 free full-length official SAT practice tests.
Organizations featured in this guide
- Philadelphia Futures
Provides free SAT/ACT prep workshops and test-taking support for income-qualified students.
- Free Library of Philadelphia
Free test prep books, study rooms, and access to digital prep tools at every branch.
- Philadelphia Education Fund
College access support including test prep resources for Philadelphia students.
Helpful things to know
Wrong answers teach you the most
After every practice test, spend as much time reviewing wrong answers as you did taking it.
Sleep beats last-minute cramming
Stop studying by 9 PM the night before. A rested brain scores better than a tired one.
Common questions
SAT or ACT — which should I take?
Take practice versions of both and see which feels more natural. Most colleges accept both equally.
Do all colleges require the SAT or ACT?
No. Hundreds of colleges are test-optional. A strong score can still help unlock merit scholarships.