Taking a test at home? Please email scores@swelleducation.com with questions or for instructions on which test to take. If you are a prospective Swell student, we’ll send you a diagnostic SAT or ACT or both, then follow up with complementary detailed score reports.
Practice SAT Options:
Option 1: College Board Bluebook app (be sure to send your responses and we’ll send you a detailed score report):
1) make sure you have have a College Board account/log in
2) review the checklist here and get everything you need together
3) download and install the College Board Bluebook app on the device you will bring to the official test
4) check out the "test preview" section to explore the app/tools
5) when ready to take a test, click on "full length practice" and open SAT Practice 7 if new to you, second choice test 6 if new to you, third choice test 5 if new to you (be sure you do not choose “PSAT”). Students with approved accommodations should toggle the tab to adjust timing.
6) take the test in one sitting
7) when complete, log back into your College Board account to check your results
8) please send TWO files to us
File #1
Send your score report following these steps:
—Log in at mypractice.collegeboard.org
—Click on the "Score Details" button for the test you want to analyze
—Click "Download Score Report" at top of the page
File #2
Send us your answers following these instructions:
—log into Bluebook, go to “practice and prepare,” and click “past” to view past tests.
—Click the link that says “view my responses.” That will take you to the College Board website, log in, and you will see your test results.
—Click on the yellow “score details” button for your test.
—Scroll down a bit and click the word “all” under the light blue shaded boxes stating total questions, number correct, and number incorrect. Now you should see a long page that shows all of your responses.
—Then print that entire page as a pdf and email to us. On Safari, from the menu at the top of the page, click “file,” then “export as pdf,” then email that file. On Chrome, click the three dots on the top right of the page, then print, choose pdf, and email that file.
Option 2: Test Innovators or Score Smart tests:
email your student’s email address to swell@swelleducation.com and we will reply with log in credentials
set aside 2.5 hours on a morning to take the practice test.
prepare scratch paper, pens/pencils, and a calculator, put phone in airplane mode, close all computer windows and chat except for the testing portal.
log in here for Score Smart or here for Test Innovators using the credentials we provided (or use the contact form to get set up with an account).
watch the orientation tutorial/questions.
start the test; take in one sitting following the timing provided (the platform will keep time). Note: you may ONLY take the test once (you will not be able to go back and repeat the test). Make sure to answer every question.
email scores@swelleducation.com when you have completed the test so we can review the results
Testing overview:
the platforms will keep track of the time remaining in each test section.
each section of the test has 2 parts called modules (Reading/Writing, and Math), and each module is timed separately.
the verbal modules are each 32 minutes and the math modules are each 35 minutes
there is a 10 minute break between sections
students can move back and forth between questions in a module and review their answers until time expires.
once students have moved on from a module, they cannot go back to it.
during the test, students will have access to a set of tools. On math questions, they’ll find a reference sheet and a calculator. They can also use their own calculators. On reading and writing questions, students can use the annotation tool to highlight text or leave themselves a note. On multiple-choice questions, if students think an answer option is wrong, they can cross it out. They can mark for review any questions they want to come back to later. Zoom in and out using keyboard shortcuts on laptops or by pinching on tablets.
New/Enhanced Practice ACT Options:
Option 1: Test Innovators.
Email me your student’s name and email address to receive log in credentials to take a practice test at Test Innovators, our developer partner. Students should print the test (we recommend taking it on paper vs digital).
Option 2: Order the ACT Official Guide for 2025-2026.
Take practice test #4. Print and use our bubble sheet and send the bubble sheet to scores@swelleducation.com for a detailed analysis.
Testing Overview
Students will have around 3 hours to complete the test broken down into 4 sections. All students should take the science section in case it is needed.
Section 1: English, 35 minutes
Section 2: math, 50 min
15 minute break
Section 3: reading, 40 min
Section 4: science, 40 min
Students should answer every question – there is no penalty for missing questions. Students may work on only one section at a time. Our bubble sheet has two extra bubbles next to each question. Students can mark the “?” if they guess on a question, and mark the “#” if they run out of time. Their score report will then include additional data.
Students may not use highlighters or pens and can/should use the test booklet for scratch work, but will only receive credit for answers marked on the answer sheet.
When complete, please email a high-resolution copy of the bubble sheet to scores@swelleducation.com. Make sure the entire black border and QR code are visible.
The paper test will move to the enhanced format in September 2025.
Practice ACT instructions - CLASSIC ACT (June and July paper version)