Now is the ideal time for rising juniors to take full-length diagnostics for both the Digital SAT and the ACT. This helps them determine which test is the better fit—and for students who might be in National Merit Scholarship range, diagnostics can also clarify whether it’s worthwhile to prep specifically for the PSAT. In Massachusetts, for example, the National Merit cutoff is especially high, so intensive PSAT prep isn’t always necessary or appropriate, but the test still offers great SAT practice.

Students should look ahead to the school year and decide when it makes the most sense to take their first official test. Planning around major academic or extracurricular commitments will help them approach the test with less stress and more focus. Most students should plan to sit for their first SAT by the May test date or their first ACT by the April test date.

Vocabulary growth takes time, and getting a head start really pays off. Open Door’s SAT Vocab flashcard sets on Quizlet are a great place to begin. A strong vocabulary helps students across all sections of the SAT and supports their reading and writing skills in school as well.

Travis Minor is the founder of Open Door Education, a trusted resource for expert tutoring and test preparation since 2011. With a B.S. in Secondary Education from the University of Vermont and an M.Ed. from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, Travis began his teaching career in West Philadelphia, where he saw firsthand the impact of thoughtful, one-on-one instruction. As a leader in test preparation, he has helped thousands of students navigate the SAT and ACT with clarity and confidence. Travis serves as a Trustee of The Scholarship Fund of Concord and Carlisle, a board member of Danny’s Place Youth Services, and has held leadership roles in the National Test Prep Association and at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. When he’s not at Open Door, Travis loves basketball, listening to podcasts, playing bass, and going on adventures with his wonderful wife, Rebecca, and his best friend, Dewey, a Bernese mountain dog.