As juniors navigate school, college planning, activities, and life, it’s very common for them to hesitate when it comes to preparing for the ACT or SAT. What looks like procrastination often reflects nervousness, uncertainty, or perceived pressure around standardized tests — and that’s completely normal.
Acknowledging how students feel about testing can make a big difference in how they approach it.
Official guidance from the College Board notes that preparing and practicing for an assessment can reduce test anxiety and increase confidence, not just knowledge — familiarity with content and format helps students feel more calm and capable.¹
Below are the top five reasons juniors delay prep, plus practical ideas to help students start without judgment:
1. Test Anxiety Can Be Real — and Normal
Even the organizations that create these exams recognize that students get nervous. The College Board, in partnership with the Jed Foundation, emphasizes that preparation helps reduce anxiety because it builds familiarity with content, pacing, and test structure — which in turn boosts confidence.²
What families can do:
Normalize anxiety. Let your student know it’s okay to feel nervous — and that starting with small, structured practice can help.
2. The Unknown Feels Bigger Than the Test Itself
Students often hesitate because they don’t know what to expect. One reason practice tests are so valuable is that they let students see the format and timing of the exam before the real thing.
According to ACT, being familiar with the assessment and its instructions tends to make students less anxious and more successful with thoughtful preparation.³
What families can do:
Encourage your student to take one practice test early — even if imperfect — just to demystify the experience. A full-length, low-pressure practice test can help students see what the exam actually looks like and make the process feel more manageable.
👉 Reserve a free ACT/SAT practice test
3. Busy Schedules Lead to “I’ll Start Tomorrow”
Juniors juggle academics, sports, jobs, and college planning. Without a plan, test prep can easily slide down the priority list.
Official guidance for educators points to structured planning and early awareness of timelines to support juniors in staying on track.¹
What families can do:
Help your student map out small, manageable chunks of prep over time so it doesn’t feel like a huge burden.
4. Fear of Feedback Delays Starting
Some students worry that early practice will show weaknesses, and that can feel discouraging. But thoughtful practice isn’t about judgment — it’s about understanding where you are and what to focus on next.
Both ACT and SAT practice resources are built to help students identify strengths and areas for improvement.⁴
What families can do:
Emphasize that early practice is information, not a final verdict — and that improvement comes from clarity, not avoidance.
5. Misunderstanding Prep as “All or Nothing”
Students sometimes think they need to study intensely for weeks before they can begin. Yet organizations like the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) stress that good performance comes from consistent preparation and engagement with material over time, rather than last-minute cramming.⁵
What families can do:
Encourage a balanced approach — regular, incremental practice is far more effective than marathon sessions.
A Supportive Next Step
If you know a junior feeling overwhelmed or stalled, one of the most helpful things they can do is take a full-length practice test in a low-pressure setting.
Seeing their current score and getting feedback makes the path forward clearer — and that clarity often reduces stress and boosts confidence.
👉 Reserve a Free Practice ACT/SAT + Score Consult
Please consider forwarding this post to any families or friends with juniors who might be feeling uncertain — you may help them take that first meaningful step toward success.
Flying Colors Prep
Sources & Links
¹ College Board — SAT Suite of Assessments
Practice, preparation, and confidence
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/practice-preparation
² College Board & Jed Foundation
Reducing test anxiety through preparation
https://jedfoundation.org/college-board-jed-partner-to-create-a-test-anxiety-toolkit/
³ ACT
Familiarity with test format and instructions
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation.html
⁴ ACT
Practice tools and score improvement resources
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/act-online-prep.html
⁵ National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
College advice for students
https://www.nacacnet.org/student/