Which college applicants submitted ACT or SAT scores?

Reporting was “far higher … among applicants living in more affluent communities, as defined by local median household income in applicants’ local ZIP codes.”

Which test should my son or daughter take: ACT or SAT?

This is (by far) the most frequently asked question, even though it has a relatively simple answer: have your daughter or son take practice tests and then we can help you make the decision. Ideally, students should take both practice tests within a 2-3 week period. If your student is a junior, you might be able to compare an ACT practice test score to his or her PSAT score. At Lafayette Academy, practice tests are ALWAYS FREE.

When should my daughter or son take the actual ACT or SAT?

Most students take their first ACT or SAT during the spring of their junior years. Advanced juniors can take a fall test (the beginning of their junior year). In all cases, you should consider extracurricular activities and how your student is scoring on practice tests when choosing a test date.

How many times can a student take a test?

Many students take the ACT or SAT test twice; some take each test once and then take one of the tests a second time. You should NOT take any of the tests more than three times.

What are the major differences between the ACT and SAT?

The math on the ACT covers more topics, ranging from Algebra 1 to Pre-Calc. The math on the SAT tests fewer topics, stopping at Algebra 2, but more in depth. The ACT has a science section while the SAT includes a few reading passages that focus on science topics. Time management is a big challenge on the ACT, especially in reading and science. The content on the SAT reading section is more challenging, even though you have more time. Again, taking practice tests is the best way to pick a test.

“What about the PSAT?” (for some reason, people often phrase PSAT questions like this example)

The PSAT is a good opportunity to get your son or daughter to take a practice test because most students take the PSAT. If you happen to have a genius living under your roof, the PSAT could be hugely beneficial because of the National Merit program. For most students, PSAT scores don’t matter so you should not spend money preparing your son or daughter for this test.

How can I be a great test prep parent?

In the interest of full disclosure, this is not a FAQ. If it were a FAQ, this would be my answer: challenge your children to embrace the preparation challenge on their own by promising to leave them alone (after you enroll them in one of our programs). We all mean well, but we fail to realize how much added stress we place on our children by micro-managing their test prep experience.

Does my son or daughter really need to take either test?

This has become a frequently asked frequently asked question because the University of California schools will no longer consider ACT or SAT scores in their evaluations, and other schools have followed their lead. There are many schools that still require or consider ACT or SAT scores in their evaluations or for scholarship purposes. Unless you are certain that your son or daughter will only apply to schools that won’t consider ACT or SAT scores, your child should still take one of these tests. Give us a call if you want to hear our more detailed thoughts.

5 Overlooked Reading Comprehension Benefits

by Mark B | Aug 14, 2026 | Dear Mabby | 0 comments

5 Overlooked Reading Comprehension Benefits

by Mark B

Reading comprehension is the most important academic fundamental, with immeasurable benefits. Some benefits are well-documented: improved reasoning, insightful writing, and better grades. But those are the “expected” results.

If we want to go all-in on reading comprehension, we need to look at the overlooked advantages that change a student’s entire life trajectory.

The 5 “Insider” Benefits of Strong Comprehension

Strong readers don’t just get better grades; they navigate the world differently. Here is how they get ahead with less stress:

The “Contextual Compass”: Strong readers don’t just decode words; they identify narratives. This allows them to “read between the lines” in History, Science, and even social situations, understanding the why behind the facts.
The AP Fast Track: Strong reading is the “VIP pass” to AP courses. In many districts, this is the only way to guarantee a higher-tier public school education and earn college credits early.
The GPA Multiplier: By excelling in AP Language Arts and Humanities, strong readers see a significant boost to their weighted GPAs, making them more competitive for university admissions.
The Peer Effect: High-level reading skills naturally land students in advanced classes. They become surrounded by other motivated, high-achieving students who push each other to succeed.
Unshakeable Academic Self-Confidence: This is the ultimate long-term differentiator. When a student knows they can pick up any text and understand it, the fear of “hard” subjects disappears.

The Dinner Table “Quick Win”
Want to build comprehension tonight without it feeling like “work”? Ask your child these three questions about their current book or a show they watched:
The Motivator: “Why do you think that character made that choice?”
The Predictor: “If X hadn’t happened, how would the story be different?”
The Connector: “Does this remind you of anything that happened in real life lately?”

Tips for Inspiring a Love of Reading

Instilling a love of reading is about culture, not just curriculum. Here are a few ways to bake it into your family life:

Books as Rewards: Treat a trip to the bookstore like a trip to the ice cream shop. It imprints the value of books early on.
The “Hardy Boys” Strategy: Find a series. Once a child is hooked on characters, they’ll fight to read the next installment.
Social Reading: Create mini book clubs with friends or schoolmates. Everything is more fun when it’s a social event.

The ADHDer’s Reality Check (Parenting Tips)

This is what happens when you read a post by someone with ADHD: we jump to the heart of the matter.

Here is the most important thing I’ve learned after working with 20,000 families at Lafayette Academy: The behavior you model has more impact than your “parenting.”

Are you a “conscious” role model? If you want your child to value reading and focus, do they see you reading? The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Friendly, focused parents usually have friendly, focused children. Reflection is the first step to improvement.

Ready to Boost Your Child’s Reading Power?

At Lafayette Academy, our Strategic Reading program (available in-person and online) helps K-8 students become conscious, active readers. We combine sophisticated technology with experienced teachers to help students accelerate their reading levels and build lifelong confidence.

Click here to learn more about Strategic Reading and give your child a competitive edge.

Would you like me to suggest a few meta-descriptions or a “featured image” prompt to go along with this for your WordPress settings?

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]