How to Take a Test… and Succeed!

High school students frequently find that the hardest part of preparing for college is taking tests. If the thought of taking your ACT or SAT has left you awake at nights, or worst yet, waking up in a cold sweat, try this simple guide to bring you peace of mind and ace that test.

Be Prepared

Your preparation for testing begins long before test day. Hopefully, you’ve been studying consistently and diligently to be prepared. The week before a big test, make the commitment to get lots of sleep, to limit your studying to no more than 8 hours a day (and that includes class time!), and to eat well. The day of the test, be sure to wake up in plenty of time for a good breakfast, have your materials (pencils, calculators, etc) ready, and show up to the exam center early so you have time to rest and relax before the test starts.

Starting The Test

Listen closely and/or read closely the instructions you’re given, and be conscious of where to find the clock, if you’re timing your test. If the test is science or math oriented, you might want to jot down formulas or definitions that you’re worried you’ll forget during the test. Start with a positive attitude, and quickly review the questions, highlighting the ones that you know you’ll be able to do quickly. Then, simply start with the easiest, highest value questions and work your way toward the toughest questions as your brain warms up.

During the Test

Not all questions on a test are equal; some might be worth more than others in your final grading. Be sure to budget your time closely, so you aren’t wasting time pondering low value questions that might have you stumped. Give yourself at least 10 minutes towards the end of the test to review your answers, and set a time limit on any big questions, so you know to move on even if you don’t have a complete answer. Unless you’ll incur a penalty for wrong answers, try to answer every question. During your 10 minute review period, don’t second guess yourself unless you’re completely positive the new answer is more accurate. Finally, mentally note the top 2 questions you’re most uncertain about, for review afterwards.

After the Test

Whew! Start by congratulating yourself on completing your test. Take a few minutes to search out the answers to the top 2 questions that you were unsure about, and reassure yourself that you were right (or memorize the answers if you were wrong). If you’re unsure about how you did, you may want to avoid talking to others about the test experience, as it might make you even more anxious. Finally, relax… you’ve done the best you can and you’ll receive your grades soon enough. Focus on the next step of your college application process, and think positive!

Navigating the Education System

LSAT, GRE, SAT...Even just trying to understand the terminology of the college system can make you feel as though you’re learning a new language! With so many institutions, regulations and tests that make up today’s educational system, it can be difficult to understand what educational options exist, let alone which is the right one for your student. A good understanding of the education system is a must, and the following overview can help you make an informed decision.

Understanding the Educational System

Educational systems differ from country to country, and from one jurisdiction to another. Generally, most Western countries have compulsory primary education for children starting around age 4 or 5.Students tend to start their secondary or high school education around the age of thirteen, and depending on the system, can graduate as early as sixteen.  In England, compulsory high school education in England lasts until a student is 16. At this point, students may opt to continue their secondary education for another two years, which are spent studying towards qualifications known as A-levels which are the basis for admission to post-secondary institutions. In Canada, Quebec students complete high school in their junior year and have the option to attend CÉGEP, a 2-year junior college system which prepares them for either college or vocational studies. The American educational system is a little more straightforward: after twelve years of mandatory schooling, students can then move on to the college system. 

What about Standardized Tests?

With so many American students applying to college, standardized tests are a common way in which a student’s academic performance is evaluated and used by academic institutions to determine admission for educational programs. Some tests, like the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the model used by American College Testing (ACT) are used for general undergraduate college admission. Other tests, such as the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) are tests used for admission to specific professional graduate studies, once an undergraduate college degree has been obtained.

Credits gained in high school Advance Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses can also be considered for college admissions, and have the added bonus of often being counted as credit, allowing students to ‘fast track’ through college. A community college degree can often be put towards a college degree in the same way.

Where does my student fit in?

There is never an easy answer to this question! Some students are extremely focused and seek to fast track through college to their career. Others use their time at college to explore career options while gaining an education. Each path has its benefits and challenges, and a good understanding of what options are available can help you and your student map out the best solution.

Never Take the SAT or ACT Too Lightly

Everyone knows that an SAT or ACT score is an important part of the college admissions process, and yet many parents send their kids to take the test without any preparation at all.

Either test is a measuring gauge of what a child has learned up to that point in the education system. To achieve the best possible scores on either of these tests, regardless of how good your child's grades are, some preparation is highly recommended.

How important is the SAT or ACT to a college? It is considered the second most important factor in the application. Scores in high school based on the degree of difficulty and any special academic accomplishments beyond those required provides the primary focus of admissions, but poor SAT or ACT scores can be a debilitating factor affecting a college's decision.

Increase College Offers

Higher SAT/ACT scores mean more choices for majors in college as well as more colleges that will have an interest in the student's attendance. While every college is concerned about filling classrooms and receiving tuition, it is the intent to take the students who will be better able to finish the courses and graduate with honors.

Everyone benefits from added points on the test, and some colleges won't even consider a student for acceptance if their scores fall below a certain minimum.

Sponsors offer scholarships every year to students they deem deserving of their offers. They also use the scoring on the ACT or SAT when determining who receives scholarships.

Do Not Underachieve

The student who "settles" for a score rather than attempts to do their best is limiting their potential. This is also indicative of how the student will pursue higher education and life in general. The parent should instill the importance of academic achievement early in the education process and reinforce that concept throughout a child's academic life.

Some study materials for the SAT and ACT are free, but the better prep packages do cost money. Consider it an investment in the child's education that can make the difference in overall college costs and the level of achievement at that level. Sometimes your school's guidance counselor keeps study material on hand to lend to students.

There are four primary fields of study represented in the SAT or ACT; these are Math, Writing, Critical Reading, and Vocabulary. Concentrating more on the weakest subjects is a proven way to get higher scores and achieve more balanced scoring, which is another consideration during evaluation for college acceptance.

Preparing College Students for the ACT/SAT

Registering to take the ACT/SAT is only a small part of the testing process. There are some college bound high school students who register and show up on test day without any prior preparation.

Some of those students may still perform suitably on the tests, but your child's chances are greatly improved by properly preparing for the exams. This means you should register your student for a test date far enough in the future to give them time to prepare.

There are many study materials available at bookstores and on the internet to prepare students for either the ACT or SAT. These tests are different and materials should be obtained that pertain to the specific test your student will be taking.

Work with your child to set up a study plan so that all material is covered ongoing. Make sure he/she understands that waiting until the last minute to cram is ill advised. Sample tests are available and these are a good measure of how well prepared your student is for exam day.

Many parents have their students take both the ACT and the SAT. Some students do better on the ACT and others on the SAT. Check the entrance requirements at schools your student is considering attending to confirm which tests they accept. You also need to know what scores are required to enter specific colleges.

It is a good idea to start testing your student prior to their senior year. First, it gives them experience in testing, which will help them overcome anxiety and stress on future tests. Secondly, you can pay a little extra to obtain a report of your child's test results that shows how they performed in each area of the test.

This helps identify strengths and weaknesses so your child can work harder on the problem areas and perform better on future tests. Some parents register their students to start ACT/SAT testing in the middle school years.

It is important if you plan to have your student test multiple times that you don't automatically send test results to a potential college. Some colleges evaluate multiple test scores differently than others, and a low score can be detrimental at some schools even if a better score is submitted later.

There are many schools that simply view the best score and disregard the rest. Just be sure to research beforehand to avoid a complication. There is no need to be in a rush to submit these scores to colleges in the early high school years anyway, so it is best to test multiple times prior to the senior year and make decisions based on the results.

Early College Admissions Opportunities - Possibly A Good Fit for Your Student?

There was a time in the recent past when early admissions to college was not something many people were familiar with or even knew existed. Early admissions is more commonplace now and an option to give some students an accelerated boost toward a college degree.

What is Early Admissions to College?

In summary, this is a way for students to enter college early rather than waiting until the traditional time of the fall following high school graduation. Program guidelines vary per individual college or university, but many schools support this program.

Who Qualifies for Early Admissions?

The program is designed for high school students with exceptional ability. Admissions requirements will vary per school, but primarily you can expect participating colleges to require a high GPA, successful completion of the majority of high school credits, and an above average ACT/SAT score.

If a student has completed most high school credits but lacks one or two that might prevent them from bypassing their senior year, there is always the option of summer school to fulfill any straggling credit requirements so the student can begin college as a freshman in the fall of what would have been their senior year.

Is Early Admissions a Good Fit for Your Student?

Many students spend their early high school years relishing the thought of their senior year. It is the end of one life's phase about to launch into another, and there are privileges associated with senior status.

Many high school students want to be there for the last homecoming game, the senior prom, experiencing the wonderful memories with their friends, and they have no interest in spending their high school senior year as a college freshman.

Some others aren't that concerned with missing their senior year and prefer to get the head start in college to land them in the professional world sooner. It's simply a matter of preference of the individual student.

Senior Year Prep and Planning

Early in the senior year of high school, students become anxious when they hear their peers mention that they've been accepted to a particular college or university. Those who have not considered or given much thought to education after high school begin to wonder if they will or won't go to college, and where they will go if they do.

Hopefully, the majority of students have already thought about this prior to their senior year of high school and their parents have played a role in the decision making process. Time easily slips away, however, and graduation day will arrive very quickly.

Planning Tips for College Bound Seniors
1) It is advised to start taking the SAT and/or ACT early in the high school years in order to pin down the best score. If your child is a college bound senior and has not taken either of these college entrance tests, schedule them ASAP. Allow sufficient time to obtain study materials so your child can properly prepare for the exams.

Colleges are not going to accept a student until all admissions requirements are met. This means if your senior does not have an acceptable SAT/ACT score on file at the school, he/she cannot be admitted. Keep in mind that even after a testing date, scores can take weeks or more to be processed and released to the designated schools.

2) Narrow down college choices to three or four. Inquire regarding admissions requirements, including SAT/ACT score minimums and GPA requirements. Most colleges and universities offer this information online for your convenience.

3) Schedule campus visits to the schools you and your senior are most seriously considering. It is essential that both parents and students are happy with the campus. A student forced to attend a school he/she doesn't like creates animosity and possibly even ends in the student dropping out.

4) On each campus visit, check out the dining options, dormitory living areas, and anything else the administration offers on a tour. Allow time also to explore the surrounding community if the school is in a city different from your hometown.

5) It is important to know what a student is seeking or expecting of a university. Remember that while parental guidance and input is important, you as parents are not the ones attending. Some students are interested in Greek life; others may want to attend a private small campus rather than a large university. Another consideration is finding a college that offers a degree in the desired course of study.

6) An application fee is most always charged by each college applied to, so make choices wisely regarding which schools you are seriously considering.

7) Most college bound seniors begin the application process early in their senior year. Many colleges consider the spring of the senior year a "cut-off" for isolating a school.

Preparing for College - Testing

Many parents don't realize the time to start planning for college is early in the high school years. You may think you have plenty of time to complete the tasks necessary for college entry in the senior year of high school, but the fact is the earlier you start college planning, the better.

One important consideration if your high school student is college bound is preparation for and the taking of the SAT or ACT college entrance exam.

ACT/SAT Scores - Make a Good Score Even Better

Some parents have their children take the ACT/SAT early in high school. Some even start testing their kids in middle school. You may ask what the benefits are of starting to test so early. Here are a few things to consider:

• Many students are very nervous when they go to take the ACT or SAT the first time. Because the tests are relatively inexpensive to take, the experience is worthwhile to help students perform better on future tests.
• High ACT and/or SAT scores are door openers at colleges and universities. Better scores can make a difference in being accepted or rejected at certain schools.
• High ACT/SAT scores qualify some students for scholarships they might not be eligible to apply for if their scores fall below a certain standard. While you may question the validity of paying multiple testing fees, consider also the money it could save you on qualifying for more scholarships.
• Some students perform better on the ACT and others perform better on the SAT. It is not a bad idea to give your student a chance at taking both exams, possibly multiple times.
• Make sure your child has the proper preparatory materials needed to study for the tests well in advance of the scheduled test days. Having the materials and using them are two different matters altogether. Make a schedule of study completion with milestones and dates, and follow up with your student to make sure he/she is progressing as required.
• There are sample tests online and in DVD format. Allow ample time for your student to go through the sample testing so weak areas can be isolated and additional effort applied toward any problem subjects.
• Don't be too hasty to designate colleges to receive your child's SAT/ACT scores. Some colleges evaluate multiple scores differently, and a low score could do more harm than good. Wait until your student has taken the tests at least twice. Then inquire at specific colleges you are targeting regarding their policy on ACT/SAT scores.
• Some colleges will admit students with substandard or below par ACT/SAT scores. This is usually termed conditional acceptance. Don't fret if your child doesn't score as high as you'd like on the SAT/ACT. It does not mean they cannot attend college, nor does it mean they are not college material. Every child is different and should be evaluated as such.