Summer Works Best When You Work Too
Love those not-so-lazy days!
If you're aiming for your best SAT or ACT scores, the real question isn't whether you'll prep—of course you will. These influential, highly coachable exams demand preparation. The better questions are how to prep... and when.
HOW: Practice and coaching based on a smart plan tailored to your goals and strengths
WHEN: Summer!
For years, we’ve championed summer as the perfect test prep season. The advantages are obvious. With school on pause, there are fewer distractions: no classes, no clubs, no after-school chaos. Even students with jobs, travel plans, or summer camp can find time to prepare. So how do you make the most of these precious weeks?
1. START
The productive (and poetic) Right Honourable John Lubbock once said, “Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” That’s true. Summer should include rest—but also some smart, strategic action. If you want six solid weeks of prep before the first ACT of the academic year, you’ll need to start by August 1. For the August SAT? Back that up to mid-July. Getting an earlier jump improves your chances of hitting your goals. Don’t let summer slip away while you’re still deciding: start now.
2. STUDY
Choose a prep method that suits you. Independent learners might thrive with self-paced books or online platforms. Others—especially those aiming for the highest scores—benefit from the structure and feedback that come with classes or tutoring. The earlier you begin, the more flexibility you’ll have to experiment, evaluate, and find what works best.
3. PRACTICE
Even the best prep plan won’t work without practice. Summer offers the rare opportunity to complete full-length exams without the stress of school competing for your energy. Practicing under test-day conditions builds timing, stamina, and confidence. Want to stand out? Start showing up… ideally, under the guidance of an expert educator. Effective practice every week is more than manageable when your schedule is wide open.
Bottom line: High school students today juggle more commitments than ever—don’t wait for fall to add test prep to that circus. Summer is the best season for SAT and ACT prep if you’re willing to work.
QUICK NOTES
If you didn’t make my Game Plan For The Enhanced ACT webinar, you can watch or listen at your convenience. Feel free to get in touch if you have follow up questions.
Our 32-hour live online SAT Super Intensive for the August 2025 SAT begins July 1. If you’re looking for a the kind of small group program that makes a big impact on your score, reserve your seat now.
Summer tutoring slots are also filling up fast.