The February ACT - A Smart Choice
December 18, 2023Get Smarter Prep

Reasons to take the February ACT

Taking an official ACT in February can be super beneficial for students since many students can take up to two tests in the same month. For Kansas public school Juniors, the state provides an additional ACT at their school during school hours. This year that test lands on February 27th, so preparing for the February test dates may be a smart decision for a lot of students.

Two Tests in One Month

Typically, we encourage students to prepare for the ACT 8-10 weeks prior to the test date, which makes the start of prep for the February 10th ACT the beginning to mid-December. For Kansas Juniors preparing for the February 27th test, the best time to start is the end of December or beginning of January, which is perfect since students will be in the middle of Winter Break.

With the option of two test dates in February, taking the official ACT on February 10th and then again two and half weeks later, the content will remain fresh, and you will know what to expect when it comes to taking the test. Just remember to keep studying in between test dates and of course, use the strategies your tutor has given you so you can maximize your ACT prep efforts and potentially obtain a higher score.

Test scores are released typically ten days to two weeks after the test date, so scores should start to be released on February 20th. This gives you an idea of what you need to focus on before you take the next test. Use your time wisely and concentrate on areas that need attention.

February is also the least popular test date, meaning fewer test-takers and therefore fewer distractions. This could translate to a calmer testing environment. If that’s important to you, then consider the February ACT.

College Applications

If your score isn’t what you hoped for, you have ample time to retake the test in April or June, refine your study approach, and still meet early application deadlines. No pressure, just valuable test-day experience.

Colleges see thousands of applications in the spring. By applying early with your February ACT score, you stand out from the crowd. This can be a significant advantage, especially if you’re aiming for competitive schools.

Of course, February isn’t for everyone. Student athletes in the midst of basketball or volleyball season may feel completely overwhelmed and this test date may not be for them. Consider your individual study pace, comfort level with early deadlines, and overall testing strategy. But if you’re a motivated student looking for an edge, February could be your ticket to ACT success.

Remember: Every student is different. Weigh the pros and cons carefully and choose the ACT date that best suits your needs and academic journey. Get Smarter Prep has several ACT Prep options to choose from including three different ACT Prep Courses, ACT Semi-Private Tutoring, and ACT Private Tutoring. Good luck!

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September 14, 2015Get Smarter Prep

Tips for a Successful School Year, Part II

Tips for a successful school year

Summer vacation has come and gone, and whether you’ve spent the last three months watching Netflix in your bedroom or volunteering in Haiti, now is the time to focus on setting goals for the upcoming school year. Regardless of where you’re at in your high school career, we’ve got a few tips for what to prioritize this year. For Part I of this series, which focuses on Freshmen and Sophomores, please click here!

For Juniors

1) Breathe.

For many students, Junior year is the most stressful of their high school career. Remember to balance self-care with all of your other goals. “Challenge yourself” is not the same thing as “destroy yourself at the altar of academic and extracurricular perfection.” Part of time-management is knowing when to take a break.

2) Continue taking challenging courses.

For many Juniors, Junior year means AP courses. Be realistic, but challenge yourself. Talk with your counselor about the right number of AP courses based on the classes you’ve taken so far and your future goals.

3) Pursue leadership roles within extra-curricular activities.

Stick with the activities you’re most passionate about, and consider becoming more active within those environments. Look for opportunities to pursue leadership roles and responsibilities

4) Create (or Narrow) Your College List.

If you don’t have a college list, now is the time to start. If your list currently includes every mid-sized private school with a decent psychology program, it’s time to start narrowing. Keep researching, evaluating what’s important to you, and work towards creating a list of schools that you’re truly excited about.

5) Visit More Colleges.

Take tours, meet professors, and sit in on classes. Visiting will help eliminate some colleges from your list and solidify the position of others, and it’s also a great way to demonstrate interest.

6) Get your test scores in order.

If you haven’t taken a Practice ACT, do so. If you have, and you’re happy with your score, take a real test, get an official score, and move on with your life! If you’ve taken a practice test and want to boost your score, work with a tutor to get the score you need.

7) Start thinking about recommendation letters.

Think about which teachers you might want to ask, and plan to do so in the second half of Junior year. Participate in class and make connections with your teachers.

For Seniors

1) Keep up your strong academic performance!

Senior course selection and grades are important! Remember, colleges are interested in your trajectory. Keep challenging yourself with difficult courses, including AP/IB classes, and keep your GPA up.  How you perform in difficult classes your senior year will give admissions officers insight into how well you will do in challenging college courses.

2) If you need to, take the ACT or SAT one more time.

Do you need one more point to get into the middle 50 for your top school? Go for it. Take one more ACT. Don’t take one more ACT if you’re “just wondering” if your score might go up, and you haven’t spent/don’t have any time to spend on prep.

3) Ask for recommendations.

If you didn’t do so at the end of Junior year, ask for letters as soon as possible. Your favorite English teacher is going to be asked to write recs for a lot of students. Writing good recommendations takes time, and bad recommendations are not going to help you.

4) Get organized.

Know your deadlines – applications, scholarships, everything. Make a plan and stay on task. Filling out applications can be overwhelming unless you break the process down into manageable steps. If you’re overwhelmed, ask for help.

5) Keep visiting colleges.

Even after applications are submitted, you may want to keep visiting colleges. If you apply to 6, 8, or 10 schools you’re really excited about (and hopefully you ARE excited about all of your schools), you may need more information to make your final decision.

Audrey Hazzard is a Tutor at Get Smarter Prep.

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