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.

Request Tutoring Below

Top 5 Reasons to Request Tutoring from Lafayette Academy

1. Our tutors do NOT wing it; they know how to help each student.
2. We have worksheets with the BEST WAYS to learn many topics.
3. Our tutors collaborate in-person or on Slack, sharing their collective knowledge.
4. We identify students with unique learning styles and tailor our sessions accordingly.
5. We work with students to “game-plan” paths to higher grades.

Complete a simple form here or scroll down to provide more info:

Even More Reasons to Request Tutoring from Lafayette Academy (+ check out a few reviews below)

Our tutors are available throughout the day 6 days a week.
Our tutors know the local teachers.
We are “Big Ideas Math” experts (textbooks used by many schools that we serve).
We KNOW our online tutors; they aced difficult placement tests.
We have a small team who inteviews everyone.
We quietly help families with financial challenges.
You can request tutoring for last-minute help.

Lafayette Academy

4.6

Based on 31 reviews

review us on

Grace Dixon

19:19 16 May 24

Lafayette Academy has saved our sanity, ensured fewer late night homework sessions with well-meaning parents, and helped us all establish an excellent weekly tutoring routine we may all count on. Both of my daughters have thrived for years with the final exam crams and weekly tutoring. My older daughter utilized these tutors throughout her last year of high school and first year of college during the pandemic. She has straight A's so far, halfway through her junior year at SDSU--due in large part to the excellent foundation established with Lafayette Academy. My younger daughter has benefitted with your tutors for years, and also has straight A's halfway through her junior year in high school. Both my husband and I are very tight with our budget. We agree this is money well spent. This is an investment in our happy home and their future, and far superior to the alternative of unhappy homework evenings with tired parents, possibly lower test scores, and googling solutions to tough problems. Thank you Lafayette Academy!

2024 Update: Thanks again Lafayette Academy! Our youngest still benefits from your weekly math tutoring, now in her senior year. She was accepted into Princeton with a full tuition scholarship this fall, as well as all UC's and Cal States to which she applied. In addition to math tutoring, she gained improvements in her ACT and SAT scores with your prep booklets/classes, as well as finals and AP test exam cram sessions. Our older daughter (who you tutored through 2020 pandemic in college) graduated college with straight A's and was accepted into Law School with a scholarship. Lafayette Academy was an investment that paid off financially and emotionally for this family. You have our endless gratitude.

Mike Meyers

13:52 14 Mar 23

Steven Staelin

20:06 09 Mar 23

This place has been really helpful for me and my academic career. The teachers there I found pretty engaging and would definitely recommend

Heidi Rose

20:54 06 Mar 23

Great choice to help your kid with High School. AP Shadow classes, Exam Crams, private tutoring. An excellent choice with knowledgeable teachers and responsive staff. Highly recommend!

Iris Sorokin

16:22 06 Mar 23

Dani Malekafzali

22:22 07 Feb 23

Lafayette Academy is EXCELLENT! My daughter receives tutoring lessons from Claire in 2 subjects and is doing well in highschool. The Finals Cram sessions are FANTASTIC too!! Thank you for your support!!

Courtney E Love

23:01 16 Nov 22

Lafayette Academy is a life saver with high school kids. Wonderful tutors who are skilled teachers with deep subject knowledge. Scheduling is easy. It has been the extra support my kids need to do their best in school.

Aimee Padden

15:35 01 Oct 22

We have utilized Lafayette Academy's services for ten years (possibly more). Their centers are staffed with experienced and knowledgeable tutors who can assist with tutoring in all academic areas along with ACT and SAT test prep, exam crams and more. I have two girls, who benefitted greatly over the years from their services. From middle school work to college level courses (they even helped my daughter who attended Cal Berkeley with her Business Statistics Course and my other daughter's Chemistry Course through San Diego State) Lafayette Academy had the appropriate staff on hand to assist with all of their needs.

Their success can be attributed to the owners. The owner Mark B. with whom I conversed with regularly, is involved in his business and takes great care to ensure his clients are provided with excellent service. He and his staff are responsive and always have found the right fit for our daughters to ensure their academic success.

I highly recommend Lafayette Academy! Simply put..they are the best!

Aimee P. Alamo, CA

Farina Wares

22:02 19 Jun 12

I attended Lafayette Academy for junior and senior year of high school and couldn't have made it without them. The tutors hired are professionals in each subject they teach, and they have always clearly answered each of my questions and made sure I understood all the concepts. If I came unprepared, the tutors still filled up the hour by explaining the chapter and homework with me, since they keep copies of the of our books. Even in the last 30 seconds of class, they always tried to finish the problem we were on. The place is also well equipped with a range of books and resources to use when a student forgets to bring something.

The SAT course is also great. The class size is about 4 to 10 and the students are provided with the College Board SAT book, and a thick binder of homework. The owner, Mark, also hangs around and tutors some classes. He cares so much for the students that he made me aware of free SAT nights and spent hours trying to teach me the tactics that would benefit my learning style the best. My SAT score increased hundreds of points, after all the work.

The tutors are all very nice and joke around with us in the middle of the classes to keep us entertained. The place is composed of separate rooms for each session the schedule is also very flexible to the point where I regularly called the day before to make an appointment or to cancel an appointment free of charge. Lafayette Academy is more than what it seems and a family will only understand the benefits after experiencing them. The students who were dedicated to their work and the tutors' advice all gained admission into excellent universities.

Request Tutoring Below

Top 5 Reasons to Request Tutoring from Lafayette Academy

Connect With Us

Contact Information

Email Us

The Inside Story