Traditionally, students on the east and west coasts have more commonly taken the SAT while those in the rest of the country have taken the ACT. With the recent changes in the SAT, the ACT has received more attention nationwide, and many parents are asking if it is right for their child.

What are the differences between the ACT and SAT?
Until recently the SAT was considered more of an aptitude test, while the ACT claimed to assess achievement. Now, with the changes in the SAT, they are more similar in general approach, though a number of differences still exist. For example, the SAT's essay is mandatory, while the ACT has an optional essay. The ACT includes a science reasoning section (which, by the way, requires no specific science knowledge), while the SAT does not.

Is the ACT easier?
No, the two tests are just different. The ACT is more content-based than the SAT. Some students do better on one than the other, and some end up with the same scores. We've heard of many students who do not prepare for the ACT, thinking it will be easier and are disappointed with their results.

Should my child take the ACT or the SAT or both?
Our educational consultants would be happy to advise you. For some students, both tests are appropriate. One great feature of the ACT is that it has "score choice" which means that you can elect that colleges will not see your score! It also means your child can take it as many times as he or she wants.

How do the Eastern colleges regard the ACT?
After the "New" SAT was released in 2005, East Coast colleges seem to have become much more accepting of the ACT. For most colleges the two tests are interchangeable. Check with the colleges for details.

When should my child tutor, and for how many hours?
With all the different tests your child may be taking—the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, APs, and so on—it is critical to have a game plan, and the earlier it is established, the better. There is nothing worse for your child than to have to take all these tests at the same time with insufficient time to prepare.

Call us. You’ll speak with your own specially trained educational consultant, who will serve as your personal guide to the college preparation process at Inspirica. We will design a program specifically for your child—including a timetable for tutoring and test taking—based specifically on the information you give us.

How will you work with my child to get a "good" score?
We start fresh with each student. After measuring your child's baseline test scores, we carefully select just the right tutor for your child. We then custom design a curriculum based on our two-pronged approach: we teach both test content and strategies. Your child will study core math, verbal and other relevant academic skills, learn how to eliminate careless errors, master timing and testing strategies, and develop enhanced self-confidence. Along the way, you and your child both will have regular opportunities to monitor progress. Our unique, collaborative approach means that you'll have the benefit of our whole staff to guide you through the process.

With more than 20 years of experience, we can tell you that test preparation can be tremendously worthwhile. At Inspirica, we deliver your child to the door of the exam room ready to do his or her personal best, feeling as good as possible about facing this rite of passage. To us, and to the thousands of parents who have sought us out for the past two decades, this is success.

What does Inspirica offer for students with learning differences?
Many students with learning disabilities have tutors to help them master various subjects and skills,
but these tutors may not be knowledgeable about or trained in test preparation. At Inspirica, we have worked with hundreds of children with a wide variety of learning issues, successfully helping them to achieve their best scores. Our testing strategies are very effective for students with learning disabilities. Working one-on-one with each student allows our tutors to adapt a lesson to a student's learning style.

Starting early is the key. The sooner you call our educational consultants, the better. They can plot out a timeline for your child, custom-designed to achieve your goals. We will be delighted to advise you.

Why should we choose Inspirica?
Since 1983, Inspirica has been exceptionally successful in preparing students for standardized tests. With warmth, expertise, and even a bit of humor, an Inspirica tutor works with your child, and one of our educational consultants works with you. Years of experience have shown that our completely individualized approach, tailored to your child's particular needs and goals, is the path to success. You will feel involved and supported every step of the way. Please call us. We welcome the opportunity to answer your questions.