Standardized Test Preparation
We believe that taking full-length exams is an essential part of test preparation: the more that students practice the skills required to succeed on standardized tests, the more naturally these skills will come on test day! As such, our test prep curriculum incorporates proctored exams as a means of assessing student progress. These exams give our tutors invaluable information about how well students are comprehending, retaining, and implementing both content and strategies.
Standardized testing requirements are anything but standardized these days, and schools’ policies are changing constantly – more and more are requiring test scores these days, or at least strongly recommending them. Having competitive test scores ensures that students won’t limit their school lists based solely on requirements and can keep their options open.
Students often believe that they won’t need to revisit Algebra or Geometry once the courses are over, so they don’t worry about trying to master elusive concepts. However, these fundamentals come back again and again in more advanced math courses and are the primary focus of both the SAT and ACT Math sections.
Paper/digital available September 2025
- HSPT (High School Placement Test): This exam is used by Catholic high schools for 9th-grade admissions. Scores range from 200-800, and schools pay close attention to the percentile rank, which spans from 1-99.
- ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam): This exam is for students applying to independent K-12 schools. It offers four levels: Primary (grades 2-4), Lower (grades 5-6), Middle (grades 7-8), and Upper (grades 9-12). Scores range from 760-940, and schools focus on the “Stanine” score, which is a scale from 1-9.
Stanine (1-9)
40 multiple choice
37 multiple choice
36 multiple choice
47 multiple choice
Percentiles (1-99)
60 multiple choice
52 multiple choice
62 multiple choice
64 multiple choice
60 multiple choice
Our tutors will help you approach standardized testing differently once you are approved for extended time; strategies and pacing rules change significantly (for the better!) once extra time is in play. Test preparation certainly shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all service, and we will arm you with the necessary tools to maximize the additional time and accommodations you are allowed.
For more information on what is needed to substantiate learning disabilities for College Board (PSAT, SAT, AP exams, etc.), visit the SAT Accommodations Page. For more information on what is needed to substantiate learning disabilities for the ACT, visit the ACT Accommodations Page.
It’s never too soon to start preparing!
Just because you test doesn’t mean you have to submit the scores everywhere you apply; if you score on the upper end of a college’s average range, include your scores with your application, but if your scores will be the weakest part of your profile, it is best to omit them. Simply put: if you can give colleges yet another reason to be impressed by you, do it! It’s also worth remembering that more and more colleges are reinstating standardized testing requirements, so having scores in your back pocket will keep doors open.
While all students start from different points, the average SAT score increase for our students in the Class of 2024 was 255 points, and for the ACT, 6 points.
ASK NEVADA FOR UPDATED NUMBERS
The biggest mistake people make in seeking extended time for learning differences is waiting until the last minute to do so. Not only can the process be a lengthy one, but the testing agencies often require months/years of documentation of a student’s disabilities and challenges, so get organized as early as possible. You’ll need documentation of diagnoses, recommended treatments, and progress from a medical professional, as well as proof that the student has been given special accommodations by his/her high school.
The #1 challenge the ACT presents test-takers with is the requirement to move quickly and efficiently through the sections. Therefore, they are far more hesitant to approve these requests, as they feel it gives students a disproportionate advantage. Of course, if you approach them with the proper documentation, your request should be granted. If not, there is always the possibility for an appeal. College Board, which administers the SAT, is notoriously more generous about approving extended time requests.
Our tutors will help you approach standardized testing differently once you are approved for extended time; strategies and pacing rules change significantly (for the better!) once extra time is in play. Test preparation certainly shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all service, and we will arm you with the necessary tools to maximize the additional time you are allowed.
For more information on what is needed to substantiate learning disabilities for College Board (PSAT, SAT, AP exams, etc.), visit the SAT Accommodations Page.
For more information on what is needed to substantiate learning disabilities for the ACT, visit the ACT Accommodations Page.
Both tests are accepted by all U.S. colleges/universities that consider test scores and are respected equally, while international schools' policies can vary.
The ACT is typically more straightforward but moves at a faster pace, whereas the SAT can be better suited for students who struggle with pacing but excel at thinking outside the box. It’s worth pointing out that, historically, College Board has been more liberal with accommodations, so if you are seeking extended time, you are perhaps more likely to have it granted for the SAT. However, if you are granted extended time on the ACT, it can be far more helpful.
NOTE: We do NOT recommend taking the exams that some companies and schools offer that are half ACT and half SAT, then basing your decision on which section you did best. If you got distracted on one section—or struggled on a single passage—your score will be skewed. Additionally, how would you possibly do well on a section you’ve never seen before (the ACT Science section, for instance) if you have no clue what it’s testing or how to approach it?
We will work with you to determine which exam is best for your particular skill set after you take a Test Prep Diagnostic, which includes two proctored exams (one SAT and one ACT) and a meeting with a tutor to review the results shortly thereafter.
Many students begin preparing for the SAT/ACT as early as sophomore year (if they took Algebra II in 9th grade, which is the highest level of math tested on these exams), while others put it off until fall of their senior year. Whether you fall in the first or last group (or somewhere in between), the important thing is that you wait until you have taken the necessary high school courses and still leave yourself enough time to take the exam more than once.
Athletes on the recruitment path typically need to start preparing at the end of sophomore year or very beginning of junior year in order to have scores to share with coaches — but this does depend on the sport and division, as recruitment timelines can vary.
From our experience, the optimal time for test prep for the average high schooler is spring of junior year; you’ve likely learned everything you need to know by this point, and you don’t have to balance college essays and applications, like you would in the fall of senior year. In this instance, our goal is for students to start preparing in January and wrap up their final test date (we encourage taking it 2-3 times) by June so you’re completely done by the time summer begins.
Based on your performance in school, extracurricular commitments, and college goals, we will determine the right time for you!
The answer to this, of course, depends entirely on what you hope to accomplish. Some students only want to review the broad strokes of the SAT/ACT, while others want to dive deep over the span of several months to cover specific problem types and increase their scores as much as possible. Still others are looking for regular academic support or assistance preparing for AP exams, as well. Based on the number of exams you are preparing for and the score improvement you are seeking, we will sit down and come up with a plan that fits your goals.
Students should reach out to their GE College Prep tutor directly to determine which exam to sign up for. If you have any questions, feel free to email us at exams@gecollegeprep.com or call us at 888-917-7737.
REORDER
We only hire a mere 1-2% of its applicants—to put that in perspective, Stanford’s acceptance rate is 4%, which means it’s more difficult to get hired by us than to get into Stanford! Every tutor holds a Bachelor’s degree, and many have a Master’s or higher. Our tutors go through rigorous training with our curriculum developers to ensure that they are prepared to help our students achieve their goals.
MAKE THIS THE FIRST ONE (OR HIGHER UP)
Proctored exams are mock exams given to track progress and assess a student’s test-taking ability. They serve as a good indicator of where strengths and weaknesses lie in terms of material comprehension and test-taking strategy; we use regular proctored exams to tailor sessions to each student and ensure we are covering areas of the exam that they are having difficulty with.
