Test Prep Best Practices: What Families Should Know (and When It Actually Helps)
Introduction: Test Prep is a Tool – Not a Requirement
With test-optional policies now a standard part of the admissions landscape, families often feel unsure about whether test prep is necessary, helpful, or worth the stress. According to guidance shared across organizations such as NACAC, IECA, and HECA, the most effective test preparation is strategic, individualized, and aligned with a student’s broader academic and college plan.
This article outlines best practices for approaching test prep in a way that supports – not overwhelms – students.
1. Start with Strategy, Not Registration
One of the most common missteps families make is registering for the SAT or ACT before understanding whether testing will meaningfully strengthen a student’s application.
Best practice recommendations include:
Reviewing a student’s academic profile first
Understanding how test scores are used at potential colleges
Considering whether scores will add value in a test-optional environment
Test prep should begin after clarity – not before.
2. Timing Matters More Than Intensity
Professional organizations consistently emphasize that earlier is not always better when it comes to test prep. At College Mode, we usually make this decision with families, balancing readiness for the exam, school schedules, and stress levels.
Effective timing typically means:
Preparing once core math and reading skills are in place
Allowing enough runway for familiarity without burnout
Avoiding year-long prep programs that create unnecessary pressure
Short, focused preparation windows are often more effective than prolonged programs.
3. Personalization is Key
There is no universal number of prep hours that works for every student. The most effective test prep plans are tailored to:
Learning style
Testing history
Academic strengths and gaps
Emotional response to standardized testing
For students who plan to submit test scores, targeted preparation can be especially helpful. Families often see the best results when test prep is used strategically rather than reactively. We frequently recommend working with established providers such as Ben Paris Test Prep, which focus on individualized strategies aligned with a student’s academic profile and timeline.
4. Practice Tests Should Inform Decisions – Not Define Students
Practice exams are most useful when they are used diagnostically.
Best practices include:
Using results to identify patterns, not labels
Avoiding over-testing
Reassessing strategy if scores plateau or increase stress
Testing should provide information – not dictate a student’s self-worth or college options. At College Mode, our team consistently reminds our students that an ACT or SAT is not a test of intelligence. It’s a performance on a particular day.
5. Test Prep Should Not Replace Coursework or Well-Being
Guidance from counseling organizations consistently reinforces that grades, course rigor, and well-being matter more than marginal test score increases.
Families should ensure:
Test prep does not interfere with schoolwork
Students maintain balance with activities and rest
Preparation does not dominate family conversations
A healthy approach to test prep supports confidence, not anxiety. A good testing strategy should build confidence, not induce more stress.
6. Knowing When Not to Submit Scores
A critical part of test-prep strategy is understanding when not to use the results.
Best practices include:
Comparing scores to a college’s middle 50% range
Evaluating whether scores strengthen the overall application
Recognizing that strong applications exist with and without testing
This decision should be made thoughtfully and individually – not reflexively.
Conclusion: Calm, Informed Choices Lead to Better Outcomes
Test prep works best when it is approached as one piece of a larger, student-centered admissions strategy. Families who prioritize clarity, timing, and balance – while using trusted resources – tend to experience less stress and more confidence throughout the process.
At College Mode Consulting, we encourage families to view test prep as a supporting tool, not a defining factor, and to make decisions that reflect each student’s goals, strengths, and well-being.
If you’re looking for an enriching college admissions process that helps your child grow academically, socially, and emotionally – where they land in an environment that aligns with their values, and where it sets the stage for a fulfilling college experience and a successful future, reach out to College Mode. The Independent Educational Consultants at College Mode Consulting can help you find that fit. Go to CollegeModeConsulting.com or call 845-704-1650 to schedule a free consultation.