A Deeper Look into My Time Management Tips for a High ACT/SAT Score
When it comes to the ACT and SAT, knowing the content isn’t enough. Many students understand grammar rules, math concepts, and reading strategies—but still fall short of their target score because of time management.
These exams are intentionally designed to create pressure. The students who score the highest aren’t necessarily the ones who know the most—they’re the ones who make smart, strategic decisions under time constraints.
The good news? Time management is one of the most teachable and improvable skills in ACT/SAT prep.
Why Time Management Matters More Than Ever
Recent changes to both exams make pacing even more important:
The Enhanced ACT now offers more time per question—but efficiency still matters.
The digital SAT uses adaptive modules, where early pacing decisions affect later difficulty.
Most colleges superscore, meaning strong time management across multiple tests can dramatically improve a student’s final score.
Time management isn’t about rushing. It’s about controlling the test instead of letting the test control you.
The Most Important Strategy: Star (or Mark) Questions for Review
If there is one strategy every ACT/SAT student must use, it is this:
👉 Star or mark any question you are not 100% confident in.
This strategy encourages students to stay on pace instead of wasting too much time on particular questions. It is powerful for two critical reasons.
1. It Maximizes the Value of Extra Time
If a student finishes a section with time remaining, starring allows them to:
Instantly locate the questions they rushed through
Revisit guesses or 50/50 decisions
Use leftover time efficiently instead of flipping randomly through the test
2. It Makes Tutoring Sessions Far More Effective
Sometimes students guess and get a question right—but that doesn’t mean the concept is mastered.
By starring questions:
Students can bring them to tutoring sessions
We can still review the underlying content or strategy
Lucky guesses become reliable skills
This is one of the fastest ways to turn practice tests into real score gains.
Track Your Timing in Detail During Practice Tests
One of the most effective—and most overlooked—ways to improve time management is to track timing data during practice tests.
I often have students write down exactly how much time remains at key checkpoints throughout each section. This allows us to identify where time is being lost and fix it quickly.
This is especially important because question difficulty is not evenly distributed on most sections of these tests.
ACT Timing Strategies (Section-by-Section)
ACT Math (Progressively Harder Section)
ACT Math increases in difficulty as the section goes on, so pacing early is critical.
I often use checkpoints like:
After the first 15+ questions → about 50 minutes remaining
After roughly half the section → 35+ minutes remaining
Enter the final 15 questions with at least 20 minutes left
If a student uses one-third of the total time on the first third of the questions, that is not ideal. Those early questions should be completed quickly, leaving more time for the hardest problems at the end.
Tracking time at these checkpoints helps us correct pacing before it costs points.
ACT English
On ACT English, I have students:
Record the time remaining after each passage
This helps us identify:
Which passage types slow them down
Whether grammar or rhetoric questions are causing delays
Where pacing needs adjustment
ACT Reading
ACT Reading is fast-paced, so I also have students:
Write down what the timer says after each reading passage
This allows us to:
Identify which passage types take the longest (literary narrative, social science, humanities, natural science)
Adjust passage order if needed
Build a plan to finish the section without rushing the final questions
ACT Science
ACT Science rewards strong front-loaded pacing.
Within each passage:
The first few questions are usually the easiest
Later questions require more synthesis and interpretation
Students who crush the early questions quickly give themselves more time for the harder ones later. Tracking time per passage reinforces this habit and exposes pacing problems immediately.
SAT Timing Strategies
Although the SAT is digital and modular, timing data is still incredibly valuable.
SAT Math Modules
Within each module:
Early questions are more straightforward
Later questions are more challenging
If a student spends too much time early, they often rush the most important questions.
I have students track:
Time remaining at the halfway point of each module
Time remaining in the final third of questions
This helps ensure time is allocated where it matters most.
SAT Reading & Writing
Even with shorter passages:
Certain question types slow students down more than others
Timing notes reveal patterns we can fix in tutoring
Practice Like It’s Test Day
Time management strategies only work if they’re practiced consistently.
I strongly recommend:
Full-length timed practice tests
Using ACT- or SAT-approved timers
Starring questions during every practice session
Writing down timing data at key checkpoints
This makes these strategies automatic on test day—when nerves are highest.
Why One-on-One Tutoring Makes a Difference
Time management is highly individual. Two students with the same score may struggle for completely different reasons.
In tutoring sessions, I:
Analyze starred questions
Review timing data
Identify patterns in pacing mistakes
Build a personalized strategy for each student
This individualized approach is what allows students to finish sections calmly, confidently, and with points to spare.
Final Thoughts: Time Is a Resource—Use It Wisely
High ACT and SAT scores aren’t about working faster. They’re about working smarter.
By:
Starring uncertain questions
Tracking timing at key checkpoints
Understanding how difficulty increases within each section
students learn how to use time strategically instead of fighting it.
If you want help turning time management into one of your biggest strengths on the ACT or SAT, I’d love to help.
Contact me today to get started with expert ACT/SAT tutoring and take the next step toward college success!
