The SAT® and ACT tests are probably the most nerve-wracking and important
tests you will have to take in your life (no pressure!) While you may
feel overwhelmed by the mammoth task that faces you, good planning and
plenty of preparation time will give you the scores you need to succeed.
Remember; if you don’t get the scores you want, you can take the
tests again. Stress is your worst enemy, so take a deep breath and make
a realistic plan that works for you.
Be realistic
You can’t cram for this one! Aim high, but don’t set yourself
impossible study schedules. Inevitable failures to comply with your schedule
will only leave you feeling nervous and will damage your confidence. Instead,
be realistic about how much time a say you are likely to study. Leave
time for exercise and socializing so that you can recharge your batteries.
Get a tutor
Tutors are a great way to fill in the missing building techniques and skills
you will need to pass. You can also ask your in-home tutor to help you
identify your learning style. This will help you to compile the information
you need to remember in a format that suits you. This means you will be
working smarter and not harder and it will save you time. For example;
if you are a visual learner, you can video tape your science experiments
to remember the process better. You can make infographics and mind maps
to improve your understanding. Compiling information in a way that suits
you learning style will really improve your exam performance.
Brush up on your writing skills
No matter how amazing your knowledge and skill, if you can’t communicate
your thoughts effectively, you won’t get good marks. Write practice
essays and short answers to hone your writing skills and ensure that you
are able to get your points across.
Exam Prep
One of the biggest problems for most students are the ways in which the
questions are asked. The formats for the SAT® s and ACT’s are
very different. Ensure that you do as many past exam papers as possible
so you can get accustomed to the way in which the questions are asked.
Go through the answers carefully to see how and where mistakes were made
so that you can improve your exam performance. There are many sites where
you can download past exam papers, some of which are listed below.
Remember; there are no short cuts to exam success. Take your time to prepare
and you will do much better than you imagined possible!
Test Prep Sites
ULS
Test Prep Practice
Test Prep Review
