Every year, millions of high school students take the ACT and the SAT. In fact, hundreds of them will take the ACT today. Many students are unprepared for these tests. Don't be one of them.
Remaining test dates appear at the end of the story.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Every year, millions of high school students take the ACT and the SAT. In fact, hundreds of them will take the ACT today.
Many students are unprepared for these tests. Don't be one of them. These simple tips can help achieve success on both the ACT and the SAT.
Buy a study guide
Cambridge Education Services, The Princeton Review and "The Real ACT Prep Guide" or "The Official SAT Study Guide" are all good options. These books include short lessons on the material covered on the test as well as practice quizzes and tests, all of which are timed similarly to how they would be on the actual test.
Take a prep class
These can be taken in conjunction with a prep book if you choose, but they don't have to be. The instructors are more than happy to help and can teach really useful tips and tricks. For example, in the reading section, start with a writing style or topic you are interested in or comfortable with, say, prose. These courses usually end with a practice test, which is a taken exactly like the real ACT or SAT and are even scored with the scores mailed to you.
Use the ACT and SAT Web sites
These amazing Web sites -- www.collegeboard.com for the SAT and www.act.org for the ACT -- have practice tests of varying difficultly and tell you immediately if your answers are right or wrong. If your answers are wrong, it explains why and gives you the correct answer as well as the way to find the answer. These are also the sites where you will check your scores after you take the test.
Actually study
Not like for a test really, just periodically review information you know will be on the test. Analyze the books, poems or stories you read for fun. Practice math problems from pre-algebra to trig. Know word usage and grammar for the English portion of the test.
Relax
The day before the test do whatever is necessary to NOT think about it. Hang out with friends, see a movie, have fun. Just don't stay out too late because a good night's rest in essential.
Remaining test dates appear at the end of the story.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Every year, millions of high school students take the ACT and the SAT. In fact, hundreds of them will take the ACT today.
Many students are unprepared for these tests. Don't be one of them. These simple tips can help achieve success on both the ACT and the SAT.
Buy a study guide
Cambridge Education Services, The Princeton Review and "The Real ACT Prep Guide" or "The Official SAT Study Guide" are all good options. These books include short lessons on the material covered on the test as well as practice quizzes and tests, all of which are timed similarly to how they would be on the actual test.
Take a prep class
These can be taken in conjunction with a prep book if you choose, but they don't have to be. The instructors are more than happy to help and can teach really useful tips and tricks. For example, in the reading section, start with a writing style or topic you are interested in or comfortable with, say, prose. These courses usually end with a practice test, which is a taken exactly like the real ACT or SAT and are even scored with the scores mailed to you.
Use the ACT and SAT Web sites
These amazing Web sites -- www.collegeboard.com for the SAT and www.act.org for the ACT -- have practice tests of varying difficultly and tell you immediately if your answers are right or wrong. If your answers are wrong, it explains why and gives you the correct answer as well as the way to find the answer. These are also the sites where you will check your scores after you take the test.
Actually study
Not like for a test really, just periodically review information you know will be on the test. Analyze the books, poems or stories you read for fun. Practice math problems from pre-algebra to trig. Know word usage and grammar for the English portion of the test.
Relax
The day before the test do whatever is necessary to NOT think about it. Hang out with friends, see a movie, have fun. Just don't stay out too late because a good night's rest in essential.
The morning of the test, eat a good breakfast, and try not to worry too much. Stay calm during the test and try to treat it like any other multiple-choice exam.
Good luck!
Remaining test dates
ACT
Feb. 6 (register by Jan. 5)
April 10 (March 5)
June 12 (May 7)
SAT
Jan. 23 (register by Tuesday)
March 13 (Feb. 4)
May 1 (March 25)
June 5 (April 29)
Register online or talk to your counselor about how to get registered.
Post a comment
The more the advice changes, the more it remains woefully inadequate.
Sure, purchase all the study guides, take all the prep courses, and review all the websites you can find. In the end, however, if you lack the knowledge, you will still lack the knowledge to do well. And no amount of cramming can compensate for the lack of incremental preparation during years past.