Three Unexpected SAT/ACT Prep Strategies That Really Work
When it comes to SAT and ACT prep, students usually hear the same advice: take practice tests, review your mistakes, and study consistently. All good advice. But sometimes, the best gains come from doing things a little differently.
Here are three surprising but effective strategies that can help students walk into test day more confident, resilient, and ready.
1. Take “Field Trip” Practice Tests
Most students do their prep in the same spot every time — the kitchen table, their desk, maybe a quiet corner of the library. The problem? The real test rarely happens in a perfectly familiar, distraction-free environment.
That’s why we recommend field trip practice tests. Try a full section at:
- The library (new setting, quiet but not your quiet)
- A coffee shop or café (practice tuning out distractions)
- Even a different room in your house (small change, big impact)
The goal isn’t just to practice the material — it’s to practice staying focused no matter the setting. Resilient test-takers perform well anywhere.
2. Practice With Less Time
It sounds harsh, but it works: try doing practice sections with two minutes fewer than the test allows.
Why?
- It builds urgency so students become accustomed to working quickly from wire to wire – no coasting.
- It creates a “cushion” for test day. If something goes sideways (bubbling errors, nerves, tricky questions), you’ll have already practiced working faster.
- It trains students to handle running out of time gracefully – making smart guesses, moving on, and not panicking.
Time management isn’t just about speed; it’s about decision-making under pressure. Practicing with less time teaches both.
3. Make Your Bed On Test Day
Yes, really. On test day, mindset matters as much as math. Making your bed first thing in the morning is a small but powerful way to start the day with a win.
It’s a reminder: I’m in control. I’ve got this.
Navy Admiral William McRaven said it best in his famous speech: “If you want to change the world, start by making your bed.” Read it here.
A tidy bed won’t earn you points on the ACT or SAT, but it sets the tone for a confident, focused test day.
The Bottom Line
Sometimes the best prep goes beyond practice questions. By shaking up where you study, pushing yourself under tighter time limits, and starting test day with a small but intentional win, students can build confidence that lasts far beyond one Saturday morning.
At Open Door Education, we help students prepare for the SAT and ACT with strategies that work – both the classic and the creative.Ready to build a smart test prep plan? Get in touch today.
Travis Minor is the founder and CEO of Open Door Education, a trusted tutoring and test preparation organization serving Acton, Massachusetts, and surrounding communities since 2011. He holds a B.S. in Secondary Education from the University of Vermont and an M.Ed. from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. A founding board member of the National Test Prep Association, Travis is a nationally recognized leader in admissions testing and has helped thousands of students navigate the SAT and ACT with clarity, strategy, and confidence.