Why SAT Prep May Be the Highest ROI Move for College Admissions

Hemant  · Jun 20, 2025 · 3 mins read

College admissions are famously holistic. Top universities look at grades, course rigor, extracurriculars, recommendation letters, essays, research, and more. And yet — not all factors are created equal when it comes to time investment vs. impact.

If you’re a student staring down the long list of things you’re “supposed” to do to stand out, here’s one piece of good news:

Mastering the SAT (or ACT) may be the most time-efficient way to elevate your college application.

Let’s unpack why.

⏳ Some Application Factors Take Years to Build

  • Academic Performance: It takes 3–4 years of consistent effort to build a strong GPA with rigorous coursework.

  • Extracurricular Activities: Leadership roles and deep involvement usually evolve over years, not months.

  • Research or Volunteering: Building credibility in these areas involves long-term commitment, finding mentors, and often navigating access challenges.

  • Essays and Letters: These reflect who you’ve become — they can’t be rushed, and they depend on the foundation you’ve built over time.

In contrast…

🚀 A High SAT Score Can Be Achieved in Just 2–3 Months

For most students, preparing for the SAT is a short-term sprint with long-term rewards:

  • You can significantly boost your score in 8–12 weeks with focused, strategic preparation.

  • The SAT tests a finite set of skills: reading comprehension, grammar, algebra, data analysis, etc. — all of which can be mastered with the right plan.

  • Unlike subjective elements like essays, the SAT gives you a clear, numeric advantage that colleges can easily interpret.

💡 Why SAT Prep Offers High Return on Effort

Factor - Time to Build - Predictability - Impact on Admissions

GPA + Course Rigor: 3–4 years, Moderate, Very High

Extracurriculars: 2–3 years, Low (varied), Medium–High

Volunteer Work: 1–2 years, Low, Medium

Research / Projects: 6–12 months, Low–Moderate, High (if done well)

SAT/ACT Score : 2–3 months, High, Very High

The SAT is one of the few components you can completely control in a short time frame — and if done right, it can transform your profile from good to great.

🎓 But Wait — Isn’t the SAT Test-Optional Now?

Yes… and no.

While many colleges are test-optional, submitting a strong SAT score can still give you a competitive edge, especially if:

  • Your GPA is from a school with grade inflation or limited AP offerings

  • You’re applying to STEM or highly selective programs

  • You’re an international or homeschooled student

  • You want to qualify for merit-based scholarships

In other words, a strong score never hurts — and often helps.

✅ Final Word: It’s Not Either/Or — But It Is Strategic

Of course, standardized tests aren’t everything. And you can’t ignore the long game of academics and personal growth.

But if you’re looking for one move that can shift your trajectory within a short period, preparing strategically for the SAT may just be the best investment of your time right now.

At IvyStrides, we’ve seen students go from 1100 to 1450+ in just 3 months — and those scores open doors.