Every high school student facing the ACT or SAT eventually asks the same two crucial questions: When should I actually start preparing, and how many hours is this going to take?
Navigating college admissions can feel overwhelming, but building a strategic, timed-out study plan removes the guesswork and sets students up for success without burning them out.
The Golden Rule: 2 to 4 Hours a Week
When it comes to test prep, consistency always beats cramming. A student should plan to study for 2 to 4 hours a week. Spreading the work out over a longer period allows students to internalize strategies, take practice tests, and review their mistakes without feeling overwhelmed by the material.
When to Start Your Prep Journey
The PSAT is an excellent early gauge of a student's natural baseline. Soon after those scores are received, a student can officially get started with prep. We highly recommend mapping out a plan at the tail end of sophomore year. This provides a long runway to prepare, test, and re-test if necessary.
You should begin tutoring and dedicated prep approximately four months prior to your target test date.
Aiming for the December 12, 2026 ACT? You should begin tutoring in August 2026.
Planning for the April 10, 2027 ACT? Start your prep in December 2026.
Targeting the June 12, 2027 ACT? Kick off your tutoring in February 2027.
This four-month window perfectly accommodates the 2-4 hours a week rule, giving the student enough time to cover all the material at a healthy pace.
Read: Using 529 Funds to Pay for Private Tutoring
Navigating the High School Schedule
Of course, finding an extra 2 to 4 hours a week is easier said than done. Junior year is notorious for a sudden spike in the rigor of AP classes, and by the time senior year rolls around, the desire to finally enjoy high school milestones heavily conflicts with weekend study sessions. Because of this crunch, taking advantage of the quieter summer months to log some of those study hours can make all the difference in keeping a student's stress levels manageable.
Making Your Hours Count: Self-Paced Prep & 1:1 Tutoring
To make the most of your study schedule, self-paced prep is essential for building a baseline and maintaining consistency. However, a few 1:1 sessions with a live tutor to target specific areas of need is the true answer to fast-tracking improvement.
A common misconception is that a tutor will simply force a student to drill their lowest-scoring section. In reality, a great tutor won't necessarily focus solely on the lowest score; instead, they will take the big picture of the student's college goals into account when developing a personalized plan. Sometimes, maximizing a strength yields better overall results than agonizing over a weakness.
By starting at the end of sophomore year, sticking to 2 to 4 hours a week, and working with an expert to build a personalized roadmap, students can conquer their exams and still have time to actually enjoy being in high school.
Ready to get started on your test prep journey? We recommend getting started with a 10-hour package.