As you begin the process of applying to US universities and are working on your college essays, you may wonder whether you need SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate courses.

On one hand, it is not mandatory for some US colleges. But on the other, the SAT or ACT can play a significant role in helping you to get into the university and program of your choice.

Do international students need to take SAT/ACT?

The SATs and the ACTs are the two different tests that students are required to take for admittance to an American university. The SAT is primarily for use by students who wish to apply for college-level programs in the United States. The ACT is also used by many colleges in the US as well as Canadian universities.

The main purpose of these tests is to help admissions officers assess applicants’ skills and knowledge levels. In order to get into any college or university in the United States, you need to take these tests.

International students who want to study in the US at the undergraduate level, they can apply for admission without taking SAT or ACT. But the majority of colleges require students to take them before the admission process begins. If you decide not to take these exams, you will need an official letter from your school stating that you were exempt from taking these exams due to specific reasons or because of disability status if that is true.

Recommended Read: ACT vs. SAT: Which Test to Take?

How to prepare for SAT/ACT?

1. Get the right mindset for studying for the SAT/ACT

The first step in preparing for a test is getting your mind ready for it. This means setting yourself up for success by focusing on what you want to achieve and not worrying about what could go wrong – even if those things are within your control.

2. Start early with your prep:

The earlier you start studying for the SAT or ACT, the better off you’ll be when it comes time to take the exam. You’ll have more time to study, which means that you’ll be able to learn more strategies and concepts. Plus, if you start early enough, you’ll have more opportunities to practice with pre-SAT/ACT tests and other resources.

3. Focus on your strengths rather than your weaknesses

There are many strategies that can be employed when preparing for these tests but one thing that should not be overlooked is focusing on your strengths first instead of focusing on your weaknesses first. This means if you are good at math then spend more time studying math-related questions rather than spending too much time trying to improve at reading comprehension questions which may not be your strong point (yet).

4. Make use of practice questions:

Practice tests are one of the best ways to gauge how well prepared you are for the SAT or ACT. There are many practice tests available online, with some coming at no cost. These practice tests will familiarize you with the format of each test and also allow you to see where your strengths and weaknesses lie so that you can focus on areas that require more work.

5. Don’t cram at the last minute

It’s important to take your time when preparing for these exams. If you cram at the last minute, you will likely forget most of what you learned and won’t be able to answer questions correctly.

Sign up for SAT/ACT courses

What’s better than to learn from expert tutors and prepare for the ACT/SAT more comprehensively?! So, even when you have free online resources, signing up for a good course and getting help from experts can be a big difference-maker. Go through the training program and stay prepared to excel in SAT/ACT.