How Many Times Should Your Student Take the SAT or ACT?
Understanding the Testing Landscape
One of the most common questions parents ask is:
"How many times should my student take the SAT or ACT to get their best score?"
The answer depends on your student’s goals, testing timeline, and college list, but there is solid research to guide families toward an effective strategy.
According to the College Board, students who take the SAT more than once often improve their scores significantly. In 2023, 63% of students who retested earned higher scores the second time, while fewer than 10% scored lower.
(Source: College Board)
Similarly, ACT.org reports that students who take the ACT more than once often see improvements, especially when their preparation between tests is structured and focused.
The Ideal Number of Test Attempts
While every student is different, most data from College Board and ACT.org suggest that taking the SAT or ACT two to three times produces the best results:
First Attempt – Baseline and Exposure
Usually taken in the spring of sophomore year or fall of junior year
Helps students get comfortable with timing, format, and pacing
Provides a starting score for setting realistic goals
Second Attempt – Strategic Retake
Scheduled for spring of junior year or summer before senior year
Students focus on areas of weakness identified from the first test
Most students see their largest score gains at this stage
Third Attempt (Optional) – Fine-Tuning for Scholarships or Selective Schools
Typically taken early in senior year
Best for students targeting highly competitive schools or merit-based scholarships
Beyond three attempts, score increases tend to plateau unless significant prep is completed
Why Starting Early Matters
Students who begin preparing before junior year tend to perform better for three key reasons:
Less Time Pressure
Preparing early allows students to build skills gradually instead of cramming right before deadlines.More Opportunities to Retest
Taking the first SAT or ACT earlier leaves more chances to improve scores if needed.Scholarship Advantages
Many merit-based scholarships have score-based thresholds. Higher scores achieved earlier can open more financial aid opportunities.
Should Students Take Both the SAT and ACT?
Yes. In many cases, preparing for both makes sense because:
Colleges Accept Either Test Equally
Nearly every U.S. college accepts both exams, which gives students flexibility.Overlapping Skills Save Time
About 80% of tested skills in reading comprehension, writing, grammar, and math reasoning are shared between the two exams.Better Chances for Scholarships
If a student performs better on one test, having both scores creates more opportunities for merit-based aid.
At Smart Push Academic Coaching, we focus on integrated SAT and ACT prep, helping students get ready for both tests without doubling their workload.
Smart Push Boot Camps: A Smarter Way to Prep
Our virtual SAT and ACT Boot Camps are designed for 8th to 11th graders and provide:
Two days of live instruction (4 hours each, 8 hours total)
Coverage of shared strategies for both exams
Targeted skill-building for reading, writing, math, and reasoning
Guidance on when to test and how to set a personalized testing plan
Confidence-building exercises to reduce test anxiety
By the end of the boot camp, students know when to take each test, how to maximize their score gains, and how to prepare efficiently.
Give Your Student the Smart Push Advantage
The number of times your student takes the SAT or ACT matters less than how they prepare. With the right strategy, two well-planned attempts are often enough to reach a student’s highest potential.
Reserve your student’s spot today at thesmartpush.com
Start preparing early and give your student the confidence to perform their best.