So, you’ve registered your teen to take one of these standardized tests, the test date is approaching, and you’re getting anxious because you haven’t seen her/him studying for it. There are many reasons students don’t study for these tests, but more often than not it’s because the task just seems too daunting. How do you study for a test that covers practically everything you’ve learned about reading comprehension, writing/grammar, and math?
I’ve been helping students prepare for these tests for years and I’ve put together a list that will help to focus your student.
First:
Once you’ve decided whether your teen is going to take the SAT or ACT, print out one of the free practice tests that the College Board provides. These tests have actual questions from previous administered tests. Have your teen take the test and make sure to stick to the time allotted for each section. They don’t have to take the entire test all in one day for this first attempt. Here are quick links to the practice tests, scoring sheets and answers:
The SAT: https://blog.prepscholar.com/printable-sat-practice-tests-4-free-official-tests
The ACT: https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-act-practice-tests-free-links
The scoring sheet provides directions for calculating your teen’s section and composite scores. Now you have your baseline score, and a better idea of where to put your efforts. An alternative would be to get your baseline score by having your teen take the test officially at a testing center. This would cost about $50-$60 and does have the advantage of giving your student an opportunity to experience the official testing environment. Also, it’s not a risk in terms of college acceptance, since most universities allow for “superscoring” of standardized tests. That’s where they take the highest section score from each time your teen took the official test and only that score goes to the university. Here’s a link to find out more about superscoring:
https://blog.prepscholar.com/which-colleges-superscore-the-sat
Second:
Look up the admissions requirements for the colleges your teen wants to apply to and see how their baseline score measures up. Remember, your teen can take the SAT or ACT multiple times! If you feel the score needs improvement, then it’s time to get to work. There are 8 official SAT practice tests and 6 official ACT practice tests available online through the links I shared above, and the correct answer to each question is provided with the test. Focus mostly on the sections that produced the lowest scores on the baseline attempt and be sure to have your teen review the questions they got wrong and fully understand why. At this point, you can also reach out for help by signing up for one of the SAT or ACT prep courses, although these can be pricey, and the last thing most students want is more time in a “class-like” environment. I would recommend a few sessions with a private tutor that specializes in standardized test prep. The one-on-one time with an experienced tutor is invaluable – they not only target your student’s needs specifically, but they can also teach them test-taking strategies to help them move more quickly and accurately through the test.
Third:
Set aside a half a day for your teen to take a fresh practice test all in one sitting. SAT and ACT tests start at 8:00 am and students need to be at the testing centers by 7:45 am, so have your teen get up at the time they would on the official test day in order to arrive on time. Have them eat a light breakfast with protein and slower carbs (whole grain toast, oatmeal….), and take a shower or a short walk to increase alertness. Make sure to have the test printed out with the bubble sheet so they get used to filling it out. This practice test taking experience will help to build their mental stamina. Remember, your student can take the test officially many times, and only their best scores from each section will be sent to the universities. Good luck!
