You’ve heard about the SAT® and ACT® tests for years.
You know your scores will impact your college acceptance, and you figure you should probably get started with your preparations. But questions abound. What’s the best way to practice? Does tutoring make sense? How can you bulk up your vocabulary?
Read on for seven helpful tips and strategies that every test-taker should know to prepare for the SAT and ACT exams.
1. Familiarize Yourself with the Details
Understanding the test structure, instructions and the type of questions you will be asked will save you valuable time on test day. You can find detailed instructions for the SAT and ACT tests online. Not sure about the difference between the SAT and ACT? Find out the facts behind them to determine which test is a better fit.
2. Practice, Practice, Practice
Set aside time to take real, full-length practice tests. Use a timer to get accustomed to the time limits, and try to pace yourself so you have enough time to get to all the questions. After finishing each test, check your answers and devote ample time to reviewing the questions you got wrong.
You’ll likely take the PSAT exam in school during your sophomore year and again junior year. If you’re planning to take the SAT exam, use your PSAT test results to estimate a target score and create a study plan. If your school does not offer the PSAT test, you can take a practice test online before you start studying for the SAT exam to help guide your plan. There are also sample questions available for free on the College Board’s website.
The SAT exam is a drastically different test from the ACT exam. So the PSAT exam is not a good indicator of how you’d perform on the ACT test, and there’s no such thing as the PACT. If you’re planning to take the ACT test, go to ACT.org and take a full-length practice test, including the essay. The site also has plenty of sample questions to give you an idea of what to expect.
3. Start Reading
In addition to online resources, there are books, complete with full practice tests based on actual exams from past years that can help you study. The ACT test recently released a new official prep book, which you can order on its website. The College Board’s online store also offers an extensive collection of SAT prep books. Stumped on what to buy? Ask your high school counselor for a recommendation.
4. Get to Class…or Tutoring
If you find it hard to study on your own, you may want to consider taking a prep class. Some schools offer relevant after-school programs or study groups, and you may also be able to find a privately run prep course in your area. When you don’t understand an answer, having an instructor by your side to explain it can be a big help.
If you want to work on your skills at your own pace or feel like you’d reap more rewards from personal attention, a tutor may be a better choice for you. Tutors are able to focus on exactly what you need to understand to excel.
5. Work Your Memory
The SAT exam lists some formulas for you at the front of each math section, but the ACT exam does not, so it’s important that you know all basic math formulas and concepts. With enough practice problems, you should be able memorize them, which can help save you time during the actual test.
6. Increase Your Vocabulary
On top of taking practice tests, you should also practice reading challenging books and articles. The College Board publishes a list of suggested reading that could serve you well on reading comprehension passages. When you come across an unfamiliar word, highlight or underline it, then look it up. This will pay dividends for your whole life, not just when it comes to a test score.
7. Study on the Move
There are several SAT and ACT prep apps available. With every lesson in the palm of your hands, you can track your test prep progress and prepare for the test wherever you go.
If you give yourself plenty of time to study and heed some of these tips, you’ll be prepared to face the tests head-on. Good luck!
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