Larry Learns Blog

75 articles about SAT & ACT prep

Study Guides Math Strategies Reading Strategies SAT vs ACT

All143 General75 Math26 English28 Reading6 Science8

General14 min

Free SAT prep schedule template: 12-week study plan

4/22/2026

General10 min

ACT Test Dates 2026-2027: Full Schedule and Registration Deadlines

Every upcoming ACT test date through July 2027 with registration, late, photo, and score release deadlines. Enhanced ACT fees and how to pick your date.

4/19/2026

General10 min

SAT Test Dates 2026-2027: Full Schedule and Registration Deadlines

Every upcoming SAT test date through June 2027 with registration and late deadlines, current fees, and how to pick the right date for your timeline.

4/19/2026

General11 min

ACT Percentiles: Full Score-to-Percentile Charts (2026)

Complete ACT percentile chart for every composite score from 1 to 36, plus section percentiles for English, Math, Reading, and Science.

4/19/2026

General10 min

PreACT Scores: What They Mean and How to Use Them (2026)

PreACT scores explained: score range, section breakdown, how PreACT predicts your ACT, 2026 Enhanced PreACT changes, and how to prep for it.

4/19/2026

General11 min

NMSQT Qualifying Scores: National Merit Cutoffs by State (2026)

National Merit Semifinalist Selection Index cutoffs by state for the Class of 2026, Commended Student thresholds, and what scores qualify for 2027.

4/17/2026

General10 min

Bright Futures SAT Score Requirements: What You Need (2026)

Florida Bright Futures SAT, ACT, GPA, and community service requirements for the Class of 2026, plus how each award level pays for college.

4/17/2026

General10 min

Practice SAT Questions: Free Questions for Every Section (2026)

Free practice SAT questions for every section in 2026: official sources, Bluebook tests, Khan Academy, sample Reading, Writing, and Math questions.

4/17/2026

General11 min

ACT WorkKeys Practice Test: Free Questions and Study Guide (2026)

Free ACT WorkKeys practice test guide for 2026: Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, Workplace Documents, NCRC levels, and where to find practice questions.

4/16/2026

General10 min

ACT Writing: Is the Essay Worth It and How to Score High (2026)

ACT Writing explained for 2026: format, scoring, whether to take it, and a 40-minute game plan to score a 10 or higher on the optional essay.

4/16/2026

General10 min

Free ACT Practice Tests: Full-Length Tests With Answer Keys (2026)

Every free full-length ACT practice test with answer keys, plus how to use them in 2026: official PDFs, online tests, and a 4-week study plan.

4/16/2026

General10 min

SAT Practice Test 7 Answers: Complete Answer Key With Explanations

Complete verified answer key for SAT Practice Test 7, with all Reading and Writing and Math answers, grid-in values, and patterns to review. From College Board.

4/15/2026

General10 min

SAT Practice Test 6 Answers: Complete Answer Key With Explanations

Complete answer key for SAT Practice Test 6, including Reading and Writing, Math modules, and explanations for the trickiest questions. Verified from College Board.

4/15/2026

General10 min

When Do SAT Scores Come Out? Release Dates and How to Check (2026)

SAT scores typically release 2 weeks after test day. See 2026 SAT test dates, score release dates, how to check your score, and what to do if scores are late.

4/15/2026

General13 min

SAT Scores for Colleges: Average Scores at Top Schools (2026)

SAT middle-50 ranges at Harvard, Stanford, NYU, UMich, and 30 other top colleges. Exact score targets for Ivy League, flagships, and regional universities.

4/15/2026

General11 min

SAT Score for Harvard: What You Need to Be Competitive (2026)

Harvard admitted students have a middle-50 SAT of roughly 1500 to 1580. See section targets, test policy changes, and what score gives you a real shot.

4/15/2026

General12 min

What Is a Good SAT Score? Benchmarks and College Targets (2026)

A good SAT score depends on your target colleges. See benchmarks for every tier, what 1100, 1200, and 1300 really mean, and how to set a realistic score goal.

4/14/2026

General12 min

Average SAT Score: National Averages by Year and Demographic (2026)

The national average SAT score for the class of 2025 is 1029. See mean scores by year, by state, and by participation rate, plus why averages rise or fall.

4/14/2026

General11 min

Highest SAT Score: What Is a Perfect 1600 and How to Get It (2026)

The highest possible SAT score is 1600. Learn how rare a perfect score is, who earns one, and the exact habits and study routines that get students there.

4/14/2026

General12 min

SAT Score Calculator: Raw to Scaled Conversion (2026)

How the digital SAT is actually scored. Learn raw to scaled conversion, module-adaptive routing, and how IRT turns your answers into a 400 to 1600 score.

4/14/2026

General11 min

SAT Percentiles: Full Score-to-Percentile Charts (2026)

See official 2026 SAT percentile charts for every score from 400 to 1600. Includes EBRW and Math percentiles, what 1200 and 1400 actually mean, and how to hit the top 10 percent.

4/14/2026

General9 min

ACT Score for Harvard: What You Need to Be Competitive (2026)

Harvard requires the ACT (no longer test-optional) with a middle 50% of 34-36. Section scores, how Harvard uses the ACT, Ivy League comparison, and tips. Updated for 2026.

4/13/2026

General10 min

Is My ACT Score Good? Score Benchmarks From 20 to 35 (2026)

Find out if your ACT score is good for every composite from 20 to 35. Percentiles, college examples, scholarship thresholds, and what each score means for your goals. Updated for 2026.

4/13/2026

General10 min

Perfect ACT Score: How to Get a 36 (2026)

How to get a perfect 36 on the ACT. How many students score 36, what raw scores you need, section strategies from perfect scorers, and how colleges view a 36 vs 35. Updated for 2026.

4/13/2026

General8 min

ACT Score Calculator: Raw to Scaled Score Conversion (2026)

Understand how ACT raw scores convert to scaled scores (1-36). Approximate conversion tables for the enhanced ACT, how equating works, and key thresholds. Updated for 2026.

4/13/2026

General12 min

What Is a Good ACT Score? Targets by College Tier (2026)

Find out what counts as a good ACT score for your college goals. Score targets by tier (Ivy League to state schools), percentiles, scholarship cutoffs, and how to improve. Updated for 2026.

4/13/2026

General14 min

SAT Maxxing: The Ultimate Guide to Maxing Out Your SAT Score (2026)

The complete SAT maxxing guide for 2026. How to get a cracked SAT score with proven strategies, Desmos hacks, section-specific tips, and the study plan top scorers actually use.

4/12/2026

General11 min

Average ACT Score: National Averages and Percentiles (2026)

See the latest average ACT score (19.4 composite), section averages, full percentile table, scores by state, historical trends, and what you need for competitive colleges. Updated for 2026.

4/12/2026

General15 min

7 Proven ACT Reading Strategies to Boost Your Score Fast

4/12/2026

General11 min

ACT Score Range: How Scoring Works From 1 to 36 (2026)

Understand the full ACT score range (1-36), how composite and section scores work under the enhanced ACT, percentiles, benchmarks, and what counts as a good score. Updated for 2026.

4/12/2026

General9 min

PSAT 10: Format, Scoring, and Study Tips (2026)

Complete guide to the PSAT 10 for sophomores: format, scoring (320-1520), how it compares to the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT, and study tips. Updated for 2026.

4/12/2026

General9 min

PSAT 8/9: What It Is, Format, and How to Prepare (2026)

Everything about the PSAT 8/9 for 8th and 9th graders: format, scoring (240-1440), content, how it compares to the PSAT/NMSQT, and how to prepare. Updated for 2026.

4/12/2026

General10 min

PSAT National Merit Scholarship: Qualifying Scores and How It Works (2026)

Learn how the PSAT National Merit Scholarship program works, qualifying Selection Index scores by state, and the steps from Commended to Scholar. Updated for 2026.

4/12/2026

General11 min

ACT Math Practice Questions Guide: Types, Topics & Strategies

4/11/2026

General8 min

When Do PSAT Scores Come Out? Release Dates and How to Check (2026)

PSAT scores for the October 2025 PSAT/NMSQT are released on Oct 24, Nov 7, and Nov 14, 2025 in three waves based on test date. Learn how to check yours.

4/11/2026

General9 min

PSAT Score Calculator: Estimate Your Score (2026)

Use our PSAT score calculator approach to convert raw scores to scaled scores. Step-by-step conversion tables for Math and Reading and Writing, plus the Selection Index.

4/11/2026

General9 min

PSAT Practice Tests: Free Downloads and Study Resources (2026)

Free PSAT practice tests, sample questions, and study resources. Find official Bluebook tests, downloadable PDFs, and targeted practice quizzes for the Digital PSAT.

4/11/2026

General9 min

PSAT Prep: How to Study and What to Focus On (2026)

A complete PSAT prep guide covering what to study, how to build a study schedule, and which topics give you the biggest score gains. Free resources and a 6-week plan included.

4/11/2026

General8 min

Does the PSAT Matter? What It Means for College and Scholarships (2026)

Does the PSAT matter? Colleges do not see PSAT scores, but the test still matters for National Merit Scholarships and SAT prep. Here is what your PSAT score really affects.

4/10/2026

General7 min

PSAT Test Dates 2025-2026: When Is the PSAT? (2026)

PSAT test dates for 2025-2026, registration deadlines, score release timeline, and how to sign up through your school. Plan ahead for the October PSAT.

4/10/2026

General8 min

What Is on the PSAT? Sections, Topics, and Question Types (2026)

See what is on the PSAT, including the two sections, all the math topics, reading and writing skills, and question types you will encounter on test day.

4/10/2026

General8 min

How Long Is the PSAT? Time, Sections, and Format Breakdown (2026)

The PSAT takes 2 hours and 14 minutes total. See the full timing breakdown by section, the number of questions, what to expect on test day, and how to manage your pacing.

4/10/2026

General9 min

PSAT vs SAT: Key Differences and How They Compare (2026)

PSAT vs SAT compared. See the differences in score range, difficulty, length, and purpose, plus which test is harder and how each one fits into your college prep plan.

4/10/2026

General11 min

SAT Calculator Tips: Strategic Guide to Maximize Your Math Score

4/10/2026

General8 min

PSAT to SAT Score Conversion: How to Predict Your SAT Score (2026)

Convert your PSAT score to a predicted SAT score with our conversion table. Learn how the two scales compare, what affects the gap, and how to close it with targeted prep.

4/9/2026

General7 min

Average PSAT Score: National Averages and Percentiles (2026)

The average PSAT score is about 1000 for juniors and 940 for sophomores. See the full percentile chart, section averages, and how your score compares nationally.

4/9/2026

General8 min

What Is a Good PSAT Score? Benchmarks by Grade Level (2026)

Find out what counts as a good PSAT score for sophomores and juniors. See average scores by grade, percentile benchmarks, National Merit cutoffs, and how your score predicts SAT performance.

4/9/2026

General8 min

PSAT Score Range: How Scoring Works and What Your Score Means (2026)

The PSAT is scored from 320 to 1520. Learn how PSAT scoring works, what percentile your score falls in, how the Selection Index is calculated, and what scores you need for National Merit.

4/9/2026

General9 min

What Is the PSAT? Everything You Need to Know (2026)

The PSAT is a practice version of the SAT that also qualifies juniors for National Merit Scholarships. Learn what the PSAT tests, how it is scored, who should take it, and how to prepare.

4/9/2026

General14 min

How to Improve SAT Writing Score: 7 Proven Strategies That Work

4/9/2026

General10 min

Practice ACT Test PDF: Free Full-Length Downloads and Study Guide (2026)

Free practice ACT test PDFs with answer keys for every section. Download official tests, get section-by-section guides, and build a study plan. Start preparing today.

4/8/2026

General14 min

How to Prep for the ACT: Complete Study Guide for 2026

Learn how to prep for the ACT with a step-by-step study plan, section-by-section strategies, score goals, and the best resources. Updated for the 2026 format changes.

4/8/2026

General10 min

Which SAT Practice Test Is the Most Accurate? Bluebook Tests Ranked (2026)

Find out which SAT practice test most accurately predicts your real score. We rank all 8 Bluebook tests by predictive accuracy with tips to get reliable results.

4/6/2026

General10 min

Hardest SAT Practice Test: Every Bluebook Test Ranked by Difficulty (2026)

Find out which SAT practice test is the hardest. We rank all 8 Bluebook tests by difficulty for math and reading, with tips on what order to take them.

4/6/2026

General15 min

SAT Practice Test 3 Answers: Complete Answer Key With Explanations

Complete answer key for SAT Practice Test 3 with detailed explanations for commonly missed questions. Covers Reading and Writing and Math sections with domain labels.

4/6/2026

General9 min

SAT Prep Book PDF: Free Downloads and Study Guides (2026)

Find the best free SAT prep book PDFs, official practice tests, and study guides for 2026. Organized by section with download links and study tips.

4/6/2026

General16 min

SAT Practice Test 2 Answers: Complete Answer Key With Explanations

Complete answer key for SAT Practice Test 2 with detailed explanations for the most commonly missed questions. Covers both Reading and Writing and Math sections.

4/6/2026

General12 min

Best SAT Math Online Practice Tests 2026: Top Platforms Compared

4/4/2026

General12 min

ACT Science Section Tips: Proven Strategies for Test Day Success

4/3/2026

General10 min

10 Essential ACT Science Tips to Boost Your Score in 2026

4/2/2026

General13 min

How SAT is Scored in 2026: Complete Breakdown Explained

4/1/2026

General11 min

Best free SAT practice tests online 2026: Complete guide

3/31/2026

General10 min

Digital SAT Changes 2024: What Students Need to Know

3/30/2026

General11 min

SAT Practice Test 1 Answers: Complete Answer Key With Explanations

Full answer key and detailed explanations for SAT Practice Test 1. Understand why each answer is correct and learn the strategies behind every question.

3/29/2026

General11 min

Master SAT Pacing Strategies for Every Section in 2026

3/29/2026

General12 min

SAT Practice Test Math: Free Tests, Strategies & Tips to Boost Your Score

3/28/2026

General13 min

How Long Should I Study for the SAT: Complete Timeline Guide

Discover exactly how long you need to study for the SAT. Research-backed timelines, personalized study hours by score goal, and proven strategies to maximize prep time.

3/27/2026

General12 min

Best SAT Prep Books for 2026: Honest Reviews and Buying Guide

Comparing the best SAT prep books for 2026. Find the right book for your score goal and budget, from the College Board Official Guide to section-specific resources.

3/26/2026

General11 min

Best ACT Prep Books for 2026: Expert Reviews and Recommendations

Comparing the best ACT prep books for 2026, including the Official ACT Prep Guide. Find the right book for your score goal, budget, and study style.

3/26/2026

General10 min

SAT Prep Tips: 10 Proven Strategies to Raise Your Score in 2026

The best SAT prep tips for 2026, from building a study plan to mastering every section. These 10 strategies help students boost scores by 100 to 200 points.

3/26/2026

General11 min

5 Proven ACT Test Anxiety Solutions That Actually Work

3/26/2026

General13 min

Create Your Personalized SAT Study Plan in 5 Easy Steps

Learn how to create a personalized SAT study plan tailored to your schedule and goals. Follow 5 proven steps to maximize study time and boost your score.

3/25/2026

General9 min

How to Create an ACT Study Plan: 4-Week Schedule That Works

Build a personalized ACT study plan with our 4-week schedule. Set your target score, identify weak sections, and track your progress week by week. Free to start today.

3/24/2026

General8 min

How to Raise Your SAT Score by 200 Points: Proven Step-by-Step Guide

Learn exactly how to raise your SAT score by 200 points with a proven 6-step framework. Targeted practice, error analysis, and adaptive study habits. Start your free diagnostic today.

3/24/2026

General13 min

How to Create a Study Schedule for SAT: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Create a personalized SAT study schedule that actually works. Step-by-step guide covering timelines, weekly hours, and progress tracking. Start for free today.

3/24/2026

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