SAT*/ACT® Prep
Every year, colleges are flooded with thousands of applications from qualified students. Competition is on the rise, and admissions counselors are focusing on students with strong SAT* and ACT® scores. Students are under a tremendous amount of pressure to do well on these tests.
Practice makes perfect.
High school students have the chance to take the practice SAT* and ACT®, as well as the PSATs. Encourage your child to take advantage of these opportunities to prepare for the real test. Be sure to plan ahead when choosing a test date. It is recommended that students begin test preparation for both the ACT® and the SAT* at least six months in advance.
Use flash cards.
Flash cards aren't just for elementary school. They also help high school students brush up on their vocabulary skills, which aids in reading comprehension. Many test prep books will include lists of words typically found on the SAT* or ACT®. Your child should look at different practice tests and note any difficult words in the verbal section, particularly in the analogies. Students can space out their flash card study sessions and study for 20 to 30 minutes a night.
Get on a study schedule.
Scheduling smaller increments of study time will help students feel more prepared, and can help alleviate test-taking anxiety. Remember – studying is a process, and students will absorb more knowledge over time. Determine when your child wants to take the SAT* or ACT®, and encourage him to begin studying at least six months in advance.
Read, read, read.
Nothing will prepare your child for the SAT* or ACT® verbal like reading. Books, magazines, and newspapers are all essential to improving reading comprehension. Cut out articles of interest from magazines and newspapers for your child to read. Suggest that she explore a genre of writing outside of what she typically reads. If she likes novels, suggest a nonfiction book, or vice versa. Getting your child to read is an essential part of test preparation.
Take an SAT* or ACT® prep class.
Test preparation should entail more than independent study. Students are strongly encouraged to take a prep class to learn the techniques and skills necessary to boost their scores. Sylvan Learning offers both SAT* and ACT® tutoring. Unlike most test prep courses, Sylvan classes are small enough to give students the individual attention they need. Sylvan typically has one-half to one-third the number of students in the average SAT* or ACT® prep class.
Discourage taking the same practice tests again.
While taking practice tests is highly encouraged, be sure your child has a variety of sample tests. Taking the same test over and over can lead to memorization and inhibit skill development. There are a variety of SAT* and ACT® practice books out there that will let your child take a different practice test each time.