As the time for statewide and nationwide testing approaches, many high school juniors are preparing themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. Some of these tests include the SAT and ACT, which both can play a big role when it comes to college admissions. So what are some things that students can do to prepare for these tests?
Of course, studying is going to play a big role when it comes to preparing for a test since students will need to remember a lot of information when taking these tests. Be sure to take advantage of these resources since they can boost your chances of getting a better score.
For example, the College Board Website offers practice tests for the SAT that can allow students to go over problems, see how the test is formatted, and look at different features that they would encounter on the test. Be sure to take advantage of these resources to better prepare yourself.
However, it’s important to establish a healthy studying routine. When studying, be sure to take breaks and space out the time for studying, rather than trying to cram it all in at once.
In an article from Harvard Summer School, they state, “In fact, cramming for a test is highly counterproductive. Not only are you less likely to retain the information you need, cramming also increases stress, negatively impacts sleep, and decreases your overall preparedness.”
When beginning to take these exams, always be sure to go in with a positive and confident mindset. According to the University of San Francisco, “Small changes in Positive Thinking can have a big impact on reducing test anxiety, improving exam performance, and ultimately, increasing the likelihood of achieving your goals.”
When taking the test, be sure to start by answering the questions you find easiest first. This can allow students to spend more time on questions they may struggle with and get the questions they already know out of the way so they can get those points guaranteed, rather than missing out on points since they were stuck on a question they found difficult.
Take advantage of the process of elimination as well. When answering questions, try to remove the answers you know aren’t going to be correct and limit the amount of possible options left. This can allow students to answer questions more efficiently and effectively.
However, don’t be afraid to take a guess. In an article done by Goodwall, they suggest, “Among the choices, there’s only one correct answer, so you might as well take a guess. You don’t lose points for getting it wrong, but you earn points for every correct answer. It doesn’t matter if you got it right because you knew it or guessed. You still get the point.”
These tests are very important and mean a lot to students since they can play a huge role in their future. However, it’s important to remember to not get down on yourself too hard for these tests. Whether students perform well or badly, remain confident and don’t allow these exams to define them. Even if students do badly, retakes are always available so just as best as possible and if need be, retake the exams and learn from the first time.
