5 Smart Study Habits That Create Top SAT & ACT Scorers

Ace Academy
Nov 6
5 min read

Every student wants to achieve high scores—but only a select group consistently reach the top percentile. Whether on school exams, AP tests, or national benchmarks like the SAT and ACT, top performers share one thing in common: they don’t just study more—they study smarter.

At Prepaze Academy, we’ve supported thousands of students through SAT prep, ACT prep, online SAT classes, online ACT classes, and personalized coaching. Over the years, we’ve identified the exact study habits that separate high scorers from average performers. These habits are teachable, repeatable, and incredibly powerful when applied correctly.

In this detailed guide, we break down the five study habits that turn motivated students into top scorers—and we show how Prepaze integrates these habits into our SAT and ACT test prep programs, SAT score improvement programs, and academic tutoring.

A focused student in a library setting, deeply absorbed in his studies, surrounded by a stack of books.

Top Scorers Master the Fundamentals First

Before learning shortcuts, strategies, or advanced test hacks, top-performing students focus on mastering foundational concepts. They know that weak fundamentals lead to careless mistakes—and inconsistent scores.

How This Applies to SAT & ACT Success

Both exams heavily rely on core concepts:

For SAT Math:

Linear equations
Quadratic functions
Statistics and probability
Ratios and proportions(These align with the top SAT math topics you must master.)

For ACT Math:

Geometry
Trigonometry
Pre-algebra foundations
Functions and graphs

For Reading & English:

Main idea identification
Vocabulary in context
Grammar and sentence structure
Evidence-based reasoning(SAT reading tips for better scores naturally apply here.)

Students who skip foundational skills often plateau early, no matter how many practice tests they take.

Success Story:

Aiden, a junior in Dublin, CA, struggled with math despite hours of practice. His Prepaze SAT tutoring Dublin CA instructor discovered foundational gaps in ratios, slope, and linear equations. After rebuilding his basics, Aiden jumped from a 1210 to a 1400—proving that mastering fundamentals fuels meaningful score growth.

Top Scorers Use Consistent, Structured Study Plans

High-achieving students follow a structured weekly routine instead of last-minute cramming. At Prepaze, we teach students how to create an SAT study plan or ACT study routine customized to their schedule, strengths, and weaknesses.

What This Study Habit Looks Like

Dedicated study times
Scheduled breaks
Alternating between subjects
Weekly quizzes
Monthly full-length practice tests

This structured approach helps students retain information better while reducing stress.

SAT & ACT Prep Integration

Our SAT prep course USA and ACT prep course USA include:

Weekly class sessions
Skill-based homework
Timed practice drills
Section-by-section pacing strategies

Whether the student is in SAT tutoring Apex NC, ACT tutoring Morrisville NC, or participating in online SAT prep USA, Prepaze ensures every learner follows a practical, manageable study routine.

Success Story:

Maya, an ACT student in Apex, NC, had strong potential but inconsistent study habits. After joining ACT prep Apex NC with Prepaze, she followed a structured weekly plan with practice tests every two weeks. In three months, her ACT composite went from 23 to 29.

Top Scorers Rely on Active Learning — Not Passive Review

Successful students don’t just read notes—they interact with material deeply. This is known as active learning, and it is one of the biggest predictors of high test performance.

Examples of Active Learning

Teaching concepts to someone else
Solving problems without looking at steps
Summarizing reading passages
Creating flashcards
Annotating practice passages
Identifying personal error patterns

This habit is especially crucial for SAT and ACT preparation due to the analytical nature of both exams.

Prepaze's Active Learning Approach

Students annotate SAT reading passages
Tutors guide them through ACT science strategies for success
Math students solve problems in multiple ways
English learners practice targeted grammar drills
Students receive “why did I miss this?” error-reflection worksheets

By practicing active learning, Prepaze students not only improve scores, they develop lifelong analytical skills.

Success Story:

Sophia, an ACT English student, repeatedly missed punctuation questions. Her ACT English tutoring near me instructor used active learning—Socratic questioning, error logs, and mini practice sets—to correct deeper grammar misunderstandings. She went from missing 15 grammar questions per test to missing just 2.

Top Scorers Practice Using Realistic, Timed Conditions

One of the most significant differences between average scorers and high performers is their relationship with timed practice. Top scorers don’t fear the clock—they train with it.

Why Timed Practice Matters

Builds stamina
Improves pacing
Reduces test-day anxiety
Improves decision-making under pressure
Helps identify when to skip or guess

Timed practice is especially critical for:

SAT Reading
ACT Reading
ACT Science
SAT Math (non-calculator pacing)

Prepaze Tools for Realistic Practice

Weekly timed drills
Monthly full-length proctored tests
Official ACT practice test online
Simulated test environments
Time-tracking worksheets

Our approach mirrors real exam difficulty and pacing, ensuring students feel confident on test day.

Success Story:

Rahul, preparing through online ACT prep for high school students, struggled with pacing on ACT Science. After three weeks of timed drills and strategy coaching, he cut his timing errors in half and boosted his Science section score from 25 to 30.

Top Scorers Seek Expert Guidance and Personalized Instruction

Behind almost every high scorer is an expert mentor who guided their journey. Whether through SAT tutoring, ACT tutoring, or academic support, students perform better when they have someone experienced to explain difficult concepts, correct mistakes, and push them strategically.

Why Expert Guidance Matters

Tutors identify weaknesses faster
Students receive customized feedback
Professional guidance increases accountability
It removes guesswork and saves time
Tutors teach advanced strategy—not found in general prep books

This is why families consistently seek:

best SAT tutor near me
SAT math tutoring USA
college-focused prep programs

Prepaze's Advantage

One-on-one personalized coaching
Strategy-based curriculum
Expert instructors specializing in SAT/ACT
Performance reports
Proven score-improvement systems

Our SAT and ACT test prep programs are designed to help students overcome score plateaus and unlock their highest potential.

Success Story:

Leah, a junior preparing through online SAT prep USA, struggled to push past a 1300. With personalized coaching and a redesigned study plan, she improved her weak areas in Reading and non-calculator Math. After eight weeks, she scored a 1450—an improvement of 150 points. Her mentor highlighted how Prepaze specializes in SAT score improvement programs that truly work.