Hourly Prep guides
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Understand the current SAT and ACT, choose a practical study path, and use learning evidence well. Every format claim links back to a primary source.
Written for students. Checked against primary sources and each provider’s published offer.
Test prep guides
Understand the tests and build a better plan.
SAT scoresNew SAT Science Score in 2027: Science Practices and Foundations Explained
Starting with spring 2027 SATs, your score report may include a Science Practices and Foundations score from 65 to 95. It comes from Reading and Writing and Math questions you already answer, so there is no science section and no extra time. It goes to your school, district and sometimes your state, not to colleges.
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Test datesSAT and ACT Test Dates in 2026: Deadlines, Scores and What’s Left
The SAT dates left in 2026 are November 7 and December 5, with scores on November 20 and December 18. The last ACT dates are October 17 and December 12, and October 17 registration has closed. The next dates after that are February 27 for the ACT and March 6, 2027 for the SAT.
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Test datesSAT and ACT Test Dates in 2028: What We Know So Far
College Board’s anticipated spring 2028 SAT dates are March 4, May 6 and June 3. ACT’s projected 2028 dates are February 26, April 8, June 10 and July 15. Deadlines, score release dates and fall 2028 dates aren’t posted yet.
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Test datesSAT and ACT Test Dates in 2027: Deadlines, Scores and When to Test
Spring 2027 SAT dates are March 6, May 1 and June 5. ACT dates are February 27, April 10, June 12 and July 10. SAT deadlines fall about two weeks before the test and ACT deadlines about five weeks before.
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SAT guideDigital SAT Format in 2027: What Stays the Same and What’s New
No changes to the SAT’s questions, timing or 1600 scale have been announced for 2027. It is still 98 questions in 2 hours 14 minutes. Spring 2027 reports may add a separate science score, and Bluebook gets a resizable calculator and Windows 11 support.
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ACT guideThe ACT in 2027: Format, Timing, Science and Scores
Every 2027 ACT is the enhanced ACT: 131 core questions in 2 hours 5 minutes, with science and writing as add-ons. The Composite averages English, math and reading. ACT has announced no format changes for 2027.
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Planning guideSAT vs. ACT in 2027: Pace, Scoring, Cost and a Plan for Juniors
Neither test is easier for everyone. The SAT gives more time per question and adapts by module. The ACT is linear and faster, with optional science. Take one official practice test of each, convert with the concordance and pick the stronger result.
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Study planHow to Build an SAT Study Plan: 12-, 6- and 3-Week Schedules
Start with a full-length Bluebook practice test, pick one or two areas to fix, then alternate focused skill work with official practice tests spaced at least two weeks apart when your schedule allows. Keep the final week light.
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Study planHow to Build an ACT Study Plan for the Enhanced ACT
Confirm whether you’re taking science and writing, then use one of ACT’s four free full-length practice tests as a diagnostic. Alternate work on your weakest reporting categories with timed practice tests, and keep the final week light.
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Practice reviewHow to Review an SAT or ACT Practice Test and Keep an Error Log
Log every missed and guessed question and label why it happened: content gap, misread, careless slip, timing or lucky guess. The most common label decides next week’s practice. Take the next full test after you’ve worked on those patterns.
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SAT mathHow to Use the Desmos Calculator on the Digital SAT
Bluebook includes a Desmos graphing and scientific calculator for the whole SAT Math section, and you may bring an approved handheld instead. Use it to graph equations, find intersections and run regressions, but skip it when quick mental math or algebra is faster.
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SAT strategyDigital SAT Reading and Writing: Question Types and Pacing
Reading and Writing has 54 short-passage questions in two 32-minute modules, about 71 seconds each. Questions run Craft and Structure, Information and Ideas, Standard English Conventions, then Expression of Ideas, grouped by skill from easier to harder.
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ACT planningShould You Take ACT Science? How to Decide on the Enhanced ACT
Science is optional on the enhanced ACT and hasn’t counted in the Composite since September 2025. Taking it adds a science score and a STEM score for $5 more. Take it if you’re aiming for STEM or a college on your list asks for it.
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SAT scoresWhat Is a Good SAT Score? Percentiles, Averages, and How to Set a Target
A good SAT score is one that fits the colleges on your list. College Board says the average is around 1050 and that 1350 or higher is in the top 10% of test takers. Set your target from each college’s middle-50% range.
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ACT scoresWhat Is a Good ACT Score? National Ranks and How to Set a Target
ACT says a good score meets or beats the average for admitted students at the colleges you’re applying to. On ACT’s 2026–2027 national ranks, a 22 Composite is at the 72nd rank and a 30 is at the 94th.
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Retakes and superscoresSAT and ACT Superscoring: How It Works and When to Retake
A superscore combines your best section scores from different test dates. ACT calculates one for you automatically. For the SAT, colleges that superscore build it from the test dates you send. Each college sets its own policy, so check before you plan a retake.
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College admissionsWhich Colleges Require the SAT or ACT for Fall 2027?
MIT, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Penn and a dozen other colleges require SAT or ACT scores for fall 2027 entry. Princeton, Columbia and Notre Dame stay test-optional for fall 2027 but require scores for fall 2028. Always confirm on each college’s admissions site.
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Test daySAT and ACT Test Day Checklist: What to Bring
For the SAT, bring a charged device with Bluebook set up, your admission ticket, a physical photo ID and pencils, and arrive by 7:45 a.m. unless your ticket says otherwise. For the ACT, bring a hard plastic photo ID, No. 2 pencils and your ticket, and be inside by 8:00 a.m.
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PSAT guidePSAT/NMSQT vs. PSAT 10 vs. PSAT 8/9: What’s the Difference?
The PSAT/NMSQT (fall) and PSAT 10 (spring) are the same test, scored 320–1520. The PSAT 8/9 is for 8th and 9th graders and scored 240–1440. Only the PSAT/NMSQT counts for National Merit, and your school handles registration.
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PSAT and scholarshipsFree PSAT Prep and National Merit Scholarships: What to Know
Only the PSAT/NMSQT counts for National Merit. Semifinalist cutoffs depend on your state and competition year, and a high score alone does not guarantee a scholarship. College Board’s Bluebook practice tests are free.
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Study routineA 15-Minute Daily SAT and ACT Study Routine
For a 15-minute session, spend 2 minutes choosing one skill, 8 minutes practicing, and 5 minutes reviewing mistakes. Use longer sessions for official full-length tests and pacing.
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SAT guideDigital SAT Format in 2026: Sections, Timing, and Adaptive Modules
The digital SAT has 54 Reading and Writing questions and 44 Math questions. Testing time is 2 hours 14 minutes, excluding the 10-minute break.
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ACT guideEnhanced ACT Format in 2026: What Changed and What Students Take
The enhanced ACT core is English, math, and reading. Science and writing are optional in national testing, while schools and districts can set their own science configuration.
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Planning guideSAT vs. ACT in 2026: A Practical Way to Choose the Right Test
Neither test is universally easier. Take an official timed diagnostic of each, compare equivalent scores and pacing, then focus on the exam that gives you the stronger starting position.
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Learning scienceHow Adaptive SAT and ACT Prep Should Work
Good adaptive prep does more than count correct answers. It uses multiple signals to decide what to practice, how much support to provide, and when a skill should return.
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Free PSAT prep. Not a free trial.
Paid prep apps give you a few days, then ask for a card. Khan Academy is free but covers only the SAT. Hourly Prep keeps PSAT prep and the SAT and ACT diagnostic free, and SAT and ACT Premium costs a fraction of the paid apps.
Free PSAT prep and diagnostic on iPhone and Android. No trial clock and no credit card.
- The SAT and ACT diagnostic, with an explanation for every question
- All 13 full-length PSAT practice tests
- All PSAT practice, a PSAT study plan and a Selection Index calculator
| Feature | Best pickHourly Prep | Khan Academy | Magoosh | Smartschool | Acely | UWorld |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes. Free PSAT prep and the SAT and ACT diagnostic, for as long as you need them. No credit card. | Yes. Free, for the SAT only | No. 7-day trial only | No. Trial, then a paid plan | Partly. A 20-minute assessment and 2 tests, then $49+ a month | No. 7-day trial only |
| A full year of Premium | Yes. $90 for SAT, ACT and PSAT | Partly. No Premium. AI tutor is $44 a year extra | No. $49 a month for SAT. ACT sold separately | No. $299 a year for SAT | No. $588, billed yearly. $149 month to month | No. $249 for SAT questions only. $449 for the course |
| SAT, ACT and PSAT in one plan | Yes. All three | No. SAT only | No. Separate SAT and ACT plans | No. SAT only. ACT is a separate app | Yes. All three | No. Separate SAT and ACT plans |
| Practice questions | Yes. 20,000+ | Not stated | 2,500+ SAT | 5,000+ SAT | 15,000+ | 2,000+ SAT |
| Full-length practice tests | Yes. 70+: 30+ SAT, 30+ ACT, 13 PSAT | None on Khan | Up to 3 SAT | 50 SAT | 60 | Up to 10 SAT |
| AI tutor | Yes. For any question | Partly. Khanmigo, $4 a month extra | Yes. Included | Yes. Included | Yes. Included | No. Not offered |
| iPhone and Android app | Yes. Plus the web with Premium | Yes. Khan Academy app | Yes. Yes | Partly. iPhone app listed | No. No app listed | Yes. Yes |
Hourly Prep is the only one with a check in every row.
Take the free diagnosticChecked against each provider’s public offer on October 20, 2026: College Board on Khan Academy, Khanmigo, Magoosh SAT, Magoosh ACT, Smartschool, Smartschool on the App Store, Acely, UWorld. Hourly Prep prices are web prices. Prices and plans change, so confirm on each site. All trademarks belong to their owners.
Product comparisons
Choose the prep that fits your family.
Product comparisonHourly Prep vs. Smartschool: Which SAT and ACT Prep App Fits Your Study Routine?
Compare the way you practice, the explanations you receive, and what is included before choosing a prep app.
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Product comparisonHourly Prep vs. Magoosh: Two Different Ways to Prepare for the SAT and ACT
Compare short practice sessions, course lessons, tutoring, and access terms before choosing your prep.
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Product comparisonHourly Prep vs. Khan Academy: Free Official SAT Practice or an Adaptive Prep System?
Try the free diagnostic first, then decide whether you want personalized study and additional tutoring.
Read comparison →Useful answers, checked at the source.
We check test facts against the test makers and product comparisons against each provider’s current public offer. Hourly Prep is our product, so we make that relationship explicit and still show where another option may fit better.
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