Most students see 100-200 point improvements with focused, personalized prep—and some gain even more depending on starting score and effort level. The key is identifying your specific weak areas (like Reading comprehension speed or Math data analysis) and targeting those systematically. With consistent practice and expert guidance, students typically see meaningful gains within 3-4 months of prep.

Most juniors benefit from starting prep in the spring or early summer before senior year, giving you 4-6 months to prepare before fall test dates. If you're already a senior, starting immediately still allows time for solid improvement before November or December test dates. Starting earlier isn't always better—what matters most is consistent, focused study rather than cramming months in advance.

Both tests are widely accepted at Alabama universities, though the ACT has traditionally been more common in the Southeast. However, the choice should be based on your strengths: the SAT emphasizes reading comprehension and data analysis, while the ACT moves faster with more straightforward questions. Many students find one test plays to their strengths—a diagnostic practice test in each format can help you decide which is the better fit.

The Reading section is notoriously tight—65 minutes for 52 questions—so strategy matters more than speed. Many high-performing students read the questions first, then scan the passage for answers, rather than reading the full passage start to finish. Practicing with timed drills helps you find your rhythm, and working with a tutor can help you identify which passage types slow you down most (literature, history, science, social studies) so you can develop targeted strategies.

SAT Math emphasizes data interpretation and multi-step problem-solving more than pure computation. Practice reading graphs, tables, and charts carefully—many errors come from misreading the axes or units. The calculator section (55 minutes, 38 questions) is where most data analysis appears, so mastering how to extract information from visual data and translate it into equations is key. Personalized tutoring helps you work through your specific problem areas, whether that's algebra foundations, advanced functions, or data analysis strategies.

Most students take the SAT 1-2 times, and colleges typically only see the score you submit—there's no penalty for retaking. If you score 1200+ on your first attempt, retaking is optional; if you're aiming for 1350+ or want to improve specific sections, a second attempt makes sense. Taking it more than twice is rarely necessary unless you're targeting highly selective schools. Space your attempts 2-3 months apart to allow time for focused prep between tests.

Your first session focuses on understanding where you stand and where you want to go. You'll typically take a diagnostic practice test or review your recent scores, discuss your target colleges and score goals, and identify your strongest and weakest areas. From there, a tutor can build a personalized prep plan that targets your specific challenges—whether that's Reading speed, Math problem-solving, or Writing grammar—so your prep time is spent efficiently on what actually moves your score.