It’s Spring and You’re a SOPHOMORE
Hey High School Sophomores!
You might not be thinking about the SAT or ACT just yet—but trust us, now is the time to start planning. At Satellite Prep, we’ve been guiding students through this process for years, and we know exactly what works (and what doesn’t).
Here’s the game plan:
Most students start prepping the summer before junior year—and that’s what we recommend. It gives you a solid foundation without overloading your already busy school year. If you start in the summer, you’ll be ready to hit your stride by the time the late winter/early spring SAT and ACT roll around.
Now, if you’re someone who has the potential to score extremely high, you might be in the running for a National Merit Scholarship. This is based on your PSAT/NMSQT score, which you’ll take in October of junior year. To qualify, you typically need to score in the top 1% of test-takers in your state—which usually means a score around 1400+ on the PSAT. If this is you, you’ll want to hit your test prep harder this summer to give yourself the best shot.
For everyone else (which is most students!), a soft start in the summer—maybe a few hours per week—will set you up for more focused, meaningful prep as your junior year progresses. The goal is to peak at the right time, not burn out too early.
A Unique Advantage for the Class of 2027
If you’re planning to take the ACT, you’re in luck. The Class of 2026 has to be the guinea pigs for the new, shorter Core ACT, which is being rolled out for the first time in 2025. As with any major change, the first group will deal with the inevitable clunky rollout—technical issues, unclear scoring policies, and a lack of practice materials. By the time you take it, the dust will have settled, and you’ll benefit from a more refined, stable test.
At Satellite Prep, we’re here to make sure you get the best advice, the best prep, and the best results—without wasting time or stressing out. We’ve helped thousands of students crush these tests, and we’d love to help you too.
Got questions? Need a plan? We’ve got you.
Drew & The Satellite Prep Team