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College Prep Summer Checklist

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Do you constantly ask yourself, “Are we doing enough to get ready?” You’re not alone. Summer is one of the most critical yet unstructured periods in the college-preparation timeline, and the right plan can turn those aimless months into a strategic advantage. 

To help you make the most of it, this summer checklist for high school students offers clear, purposeful high school summer activities for college prep to keep you on track and help you move forward with confidence.

A Strategic Plan for Every Summer

Approaching your break with intention is essential for standing out to admissions officers. Following a customized college application preparation timeline that high school students can use ensures you build a competitive edge at an appropriate, manageable pace.

What to Do in the Summer Before 9th Grade

Before 9th grade, you can focus on building foundational skills and exploring new interests without pressure. If you are wondering what to do in the summer before 9th grade, Insight Education helps students develop time management skills to organize their schedules efficiently from the start.

Strengthening reading comprehension and writing skills now can support stronger academic outcomes later. Thoughtful course selection also gives you an exciting first step toward mapping out a successful academic journey.

You should also encourage your child to explore a wide range of interests to see what sparks their curiosity. Some great options include: 

  • Local sports programs: Build teamwork and physical discipline
  • Library reading challenges: Perfect for strengthening critical thinking
  • Online coding tutorials: A low-pressure way to test technical interests
  • Community volunteer work: Great for discovering a sense of purpose

What to Do in the Summer Before 10th Grade

The focus shifts from broad exploration to targeted engagement when deciding what to do the summer before 10th grade. Have your student pick one or two interests to pursue deeply through club membership or consistent volunteering.

Beyond extracurriculars, you can establish an academic baseline by introducing low-stakes testing with a diagnostic PSAT/NMSQT® or ACT exam. For parents comparing college readiness activities, a credit-bearing community college course is another excellent way to demonstrate initiative.

What to Do in the Summer Before 11th Grade

The stakes get higher when you decide what to do the summer before 11th grade. This launchpad summer gives your student time to build measurable achievements and take on leadership roles. Now is the time to secure a competitive internship, start a passion project or deepen involvement in meaningful extracurriculars.

Intensive test prep and 1:1 tutoring for upcoming AP® classes can also help students stay ahead. Begin a structured SAT® preparation plan or explore ACT prep options to strengthen testing strategy before junior year begins.

Partner With a College Prep Expert Today

Partner with a college prep expert today

A comprehensive plan is the ultimate key to mastering the college admissions journey. You can stop guesswork and gain peace of mind by getting started with our dedicated counselors.

Take the next step toward your student’s success. Schedule an initial consultation today to partner with an expert and build a personalized summer strategy that delivers results!

SAT® and AP® are registered trademarks of the College Board®. Insight Education operates independently and has no sponsorship, approval, or affiliation with the College Board.

PSAT/NMSQT® is a registered trademark of the College Board® and National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Insight Education operates independently and has no sponsorship, approval, or affiliation with either organization.

The Digital SAT: Structure, Why It Matters, and How to Prep the Right Way

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Digital SAT Guide

The Digital SAT: Structure, Why It Matters, and How to Prep the Right Way

The Digital SAT isn’t a totally new test—but it does behave differently than the paper SAT. The test is shorter, and the adaptive module structure changes how students should prepare.

Digital SAT Structure (What Students Actually Take)

READING & WRITING
  • 2 modules
  • Short passages (often 1 question per passage)
  • Grammar/conventions, rhetoric, vocab-in-context, comprehension
MATH
  • 2 modules
  • Calculator throughout (built-in digital calculator available)
  • Algebra, Advanced Math, Data Analysis, Geometry/Trig

The big difference: Adaptive modules

Each section has a first module and a second module. Performance on Module 1 influences the difficulty of Module 2.
Translation: accuracy and pacing early can shape what you see next.

Why Taking the SAT Still Matters

A strong SAT score is still one of the cleanest ways to add academic signal—for selective admissions, competitive majors,
honors programs, and sometimes scholarship consideration.

You must always have insurance

Even if a school on your list is “test optional” today, there’s no guarantee it stays that way by the time your student applies.
Schools have been coming back to mandatory testing—and your dream school could be one of them.

The smart move is simple: take the SAT at least once, prep intelligently, then decide how to use the score strategically.

Why Students Struggle (or Don’t Improve) Even When They’re “Working Hard”

Some students take diagnostics, do practice problems, take more diagnostics… and still don’t improve much.
Usually it’s not effort. It’s how the effort is being used.

What’s happening?
  • They don’t review errors at all, or
  • They “review” by reading an explanation and saying: “Ohhh, I get it now.”

But understanding an explanation is not the same as being able to reproduce the skill under time pressure with a slightly different question.

The real fix: pattern-based error analysis

One missing concept can create multiple mistakes. The goal is to identify patterns, then train the underlying concept until it’s automatic.

  • Track errors by category
  • Identify the underlying concept (not just the question)
  • Practice the skill until it holds under realistic conditions
  • Return to mixed practice so it sticks

This is exactly what Insight structures for students.

Whether it’s a class or 1:1 tutoring, the goal is not “more practice.” It’s smarter practice: targeted skill-building + error analysis + accountability.

Schools That Require Test Scores (SAT/ACT): A Helpful Starting List

Policies can change, so always confirm on each school’s admissions website. This list is meant as a starting point for families who want “insurance.”

Test-required (SAT/ACT required)
  • MIT
  • Caltech
  • Georgetown
  • Brown
  • Dartmouth
  • Harvard (limited exceptions)
  • Georgia Tech
  • University of Florida
  • University of Georgia
  • UT Austin
  • United States Naval Academy
Test-flexible
  • Yale
“Test expected”
  • Purdue (test expected, limited exceptions)
Note: “Test expected” often functions like “required” for most students in practice.

The Insight Advantage: Prep That Actually Moves Scores

The Digital SAT rewards skill, efficiency, and strategy. Most students don’t need “more practice.” They need a plan: targeted concepts,
pattern-based error review, and consistent execution.

Bottom Line

Real score gains come from smart prep: error analysis, pattern recognition, and targeted concept mastery—not just more questions.

ACT Logo with answer sheet in the background

Understanding the ACT: Structure, Benefits, and Ideal Candidates

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The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States, and in some cases, international schools as well. Understanding its structure and benefits can help students make an informed decision about whether it’s the right choice for them.

The ACT is divided into four main sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, with an optional Writing section. Each of these sections is designed to assess different skills:

English: This section tests grammar, punctuation, and rhetorical skills. It consists of 75 questions to be completed in 45 minutes.

Math: Covering a range of mathematical concepts from algebra to trigonometry, this section includes 60 questions with a 60-minute time limit.

Reading: Students read passages and answer questions to demonstrate their comprehension and interpretation skills. This section features 40 questions to be completed in 35 minutes.

Science: This section evaluates scientific reasoning and interpretation skills through 40 questions in 35 minutes.

Writing (Optional): Students can choose to complete a 40-minute essay that evaluates their writing skills and ability to articulate complex ideas.

Why should a student consider taking the ACT? The ACT is known for its straightforward question format and emphasis on problem-solving and critical thinking. It’s also generally considered more flexible with its content, covering a broad range of subjects that may align better with a student’s strengths. For students who perform better under time pressure, the ACT might be a good choice, as it requires quicker responses per question compared to the SAT.

Why should a student consider taking the ACT? The ACT is known for its straightforward question format and emphasis on problem-solving and critical thinking. It’s also generally considered more flexible with its content, covering a broad range of subjects that may align better with a student’s strengths. For students who perform better under time pressure, the ACT might be a good choice, as it requires quicker responses per question compared to the SAT.

Ultimately, the decision between the ACT and SAT depends on the student’s strengths, test-taking style, and abilities, and the college admissions requirements imposed by the universities they are targeting. The ACT may be particularly advantageous for students who excel in science and prefer a test that integrates multiple subjects in one assessment. It can also be a good option for those who are looking for a test with a more straightforward format compared to the SAT.

It is always a good idea to take practice tests for both exams to see which aligns better with your skills. While both the ACT and SAT are valuable for college admissions, the ACT’s unique structure is attractive to many students. Just like Coke vs. Pepsi, the ACT and the SAT offer similar yet very different options that can both quench your thirst and help you achieve your college dreams.

Ready to tackle the ACT with confidence? Sign up for our ACT Boot Camp or personalized tutoring sessions with Insight Education.

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