FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What is the format of the Digital SAT?
A.The Digital SAT is a 2+ hour college admissions exam that tests Evidence-Based Reading, Writing, and Math. Scores range from 400 to 1600. As an adaptive test, it features a medium-level Module 1 (Reading/Writing) for all students before splitting into either an "easier" or "harder" Module 2 (also Reading/Writing). Similarly, the medium-level Module 3 (Math) leads into either an "easier" or "harder" Module 4 (also Math).
Q. What is the format of the ACT?
A. The ACT is a 3+ hour college admissions exam that tests English, Math, Reading, and Science. Scores range from 1-36 and an additional optional Essay is scored separately.
Q. How are grammar and writing tested on the SAT and ACT? What is Peak’s approach?
A. The SAT and ACT each contains a section that tests grammar and rhetorical skills. On the ACT this section is called English and consists of 75 multiple-choice questions. On the SAT, grammar questions are included in the second half of both Module 1 and Module 2. On both exams, the grammar component accounts for 25% of the final exam score. Terry McKeown, Peak’s Director of Grammar Instruction, offers 1-on-1 grammar lessons to all students and then transitions into test-specific instruction for the student’s test of choice once the grammar foundation is strong.
Q. When is the the SAT offered? When is the ACT offered?
A. The SAT will be offered 7 times during the 2023-24 school year: August 26, October 7, November 4, and December 2, 2023; and March 9, May 4, and June 1, 2024. The ACT will also be offered 7 times during the 2023-24 school year: July 15, September 9, October 28, and December 9, 2023; and February 10, April 13, and June 8, 2024.
Q. How do I know whether I am better off taking the SAT or the ACT?
A. We recommend that students take our complimentary ACT and SAT initial diagnostic exams before deciding which test to pursue. We can then discuss objective data (score reports and item analyses) and subjective data (student reflections on the style, content, pacing and feel of the particular test). If a student favors one of the tests, and the scores from the practice test corroborate that feeling, then the answer is easy. If a student has similar scores on the two diagnostic practice tests, we can help sift through some of the relevant data in order to arrive at a well-informed decision. The two exams are different enough that it is wise to commit to one of the exams at the beginning of the test process. Students should not divide their attention and resources between the two exams.
Q. When is the best time to begin preparing for the SAT or ACT?
A. There really is no single answer to this question. Many students benefit from beginning preparation during the summer following their sophomore year. With fewer demands on their time during the summer, these students are able to establish a strong test preparation foundation before the new school year begins. Many of these students target the December exams, knowing that they have ample opportunities to re-test during the late winter and spring months. For those students who spend the summer months traveling or immersed in work or other programs, we recommend starting in September of their junior year and targeting the late winter and early spring exams. Because every student’s schedule is different, we also offer December start dates for both SAT and ACT small classes. These later start dates are intended for juniors who have not yet started their preparation or who have decided to switch to Peak after beginning with a different approach to their preparation. We also offer spring start dates that may be beneficial to sophomores who wish to accelerate the testing process in order to provide NCAA coaches with information for the athletic recruitment process. Our private tutoring programs can begin at any time.
Q. Tell me a little more about these practice tests.
A. Our Saturday and Sunday morning practice tests are administered in Rye, New York. Students receive valuable practice with actual exams under authentic conditions, tutors receive valuable data that enable them to customize instructional strategies, and parents receive instant feedback on their child’s progress. We use a proprietary analysis tool to generate what we consider a best-in-class score report and item analysis, both of which we deliver to the student within 24 hours.
Q. Do you assign homework between classes and instructional sessions?
A. Yes. We expect a lot from our students and find that most are extremely motivated to complete the homework and practice sets that we assign. A student’s preparation between sessions is vital to the success of our work together.
Q. Do you offer financial aid?
A. Peak Performance offers a robust pro bono practice. Please see our Pro Bono page for more detail on our offerings.
A.The Digital SAT is a 2+ hour college admissions exam that tests Evidence-Based Reading, Writing, and Math. Scores range from 400 to 1600. As an adaptive test, it features a medium-level Module 1 (Reading/Writing) for all students before splitting into either an "easier" or "harder" Module 2 (also Reading/Writing). Similarly, the medium-level Module 3 (Math) leads into either an "easier" or "harder" Module 4 (also Math).
Q. What is the format of the ACT?
A. The ACT is a 3+ hour college admissions exam that tests English, Math, Reading, and Science. Scores range from 1-36 and an additional optional Essay is scored separately.
Q. How are grammar and writing tested on the SAT and ACT? What is Peak’s approach?
A. The SAT and ACT each contains a section that tests grammar and rhetorical skills. On the ACT this section is called English and consists of 75 multiple-choice questions. On the SAT, grammar questions are included in the second half of both Module 1 and Module 2. On both exams, the grammar component accounts for 25% of the final exam score. Terry McKeown, Peak’s Director of Grammar Instruction, offers 1-on-1 grammar lessons to all students and then transitions into test-specific instruction for the student’s test of choice once the grammar foundation is strong.
Q. When is the the SAT offered? When is the ACT offered?
A. The SAT will be offered 7 times during the 2023-24 school year: August 26, October 7, November 4, and December 2, 2023; and March 9, May 4, and June 1, 2024. The ACT will also be offered 7 times during the 2023-24 school year: July 15, September 9, October 28, and December 9, 2023; and February 10, April 13, and June 8, 2024.
Q. How do I know whether I am better off taking the SAT or the ACT?
A. We recommend that students take our complimentary ACT and SAT initial diagnostic exams before deciding which test to pursue. We can then discuss objective data (score reports and item analyses) and subjective data (student reflections on the style, content, pacing and feel of the particular test). If a student favors one of the tests, and the scores from the practice test corroborate that feeling, then the answer is easy. If a student has similar scores on the two diagnostic practice tests, we can help sift through some of the relevant data in order to arrive at a well-informed decision. The two exams are different enough that it is wise to commit to one of the exams at the beginning of the test process. Students should not divide their attention and resources between the two exams.
Q. When is the best time to begin preparing for the SAT or ACT?
A. There really is no single answer to this question. Many students benefit from beginning preparation during the summer following their sophomore year. With fewer demands on their time during the summer, these students are able to establish a strong test preparation foundation before the new school year begins. Many of these students target the December exams, knowing that they have ample opportunities to re-test during the late winter and spring months. For those students who spend the summer months traveling or immersed in work or other programs, we recommend starting in September of their junior year and targeting the late winter and early spring exams. Because every student’s schedule is different, we also offer December start dates for both SAT and ACT small classes. These later start dates are intended for juniors who have not yet started their preparation or who have decided to switch to Peak after beginning with a different approach to their preparation. We also offer spring start dates that may be beneficial to sophomores who wish to accelerate the testing process in order to provide NCAA coaches with information for the athletic recruitment process. Our private tutoring programs can begin at any time.
Q. Tell me a little more about these practice tests.
A. Our Saturday and Sunday morning practice tests are administered in Rye, New York. Students receive valuable practice with actual exams under authentic conditions, tutors receive valuable data that enable them to customize instructional strategies, and parents receive instant feedback on their child’s progress. We use a proprietary analysis tool to generate what we consider a best-in-class score report and item analysis, both of which we deliver to the student within 24 hours.
Q. Do you assign homework between classes and instructional sessions?
A. Yes. We expect a lot from our students and find that most are extremely motivated to complete the homework and practice sets that we assign. A student’s preparation between sessions is vital to the success of our work together.
Q. Do you offer financial aid?
A. Peak Performance offers a robust pro bono practice. Please see our Pro Bono page for more detail on our offerings.