Can AI Really Help You Prep for the SAT/ACT? 4 Practical Guidelines (and 4 Videos)

Artificial intelligence is everywhere in education right now, and SAT/ACT prep is no exception. Some students are using AI to generate practice questions, explain answers, or map out study schedules. Others are worried it will replace tutors or make the test “too easy.” The truth is more nuanced: AI can be useful in a few specific ways, but it can also waste time (or teach you the wrong thing) if you don’t put guardrails around it.

The “Math Person” Myth: 4 Mindset Shifts That Make SAT/ACT Prep Easier

If SAT or ACT prep has ever made you think, “I’m just not a math person,” you’re not alone. But that belief is one of the most expensive mistakes students make—not because ability doesn’t vary, but because the story you tell yourself shapes how you practice, how long you stick with problems, and how you respond when you miss questions.

Most students preparing for the SAT spend their study time grinding through practice problems the long way — expanding every expression, setting up every equation from scratch, and calculating when they could be estimating. That approach costs time you don't have. The Digital SAT rewards students who work smarter, not harder. Below, our lead SAT tutor Stefan Maisnier break down five algebra strategies — demonstrated in short, focused videos — that can shave seconds off every problem and add points to your score.

Strong study habits in high school pay off twice: they help you earn better grades now and make you a stronger candidate for college admission and scholarships, especially when paired with a competitive SAT score. And in addition to leading to better grades in high school and a higher SAT score, strong study habits will serve you well in college, and beyond, in whatever career you choose. In fact, some study habits can even be applied to the process of building athletic, musical, or communication skills.