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!

Determining Strengths and Weaknesses for College Bound Students

At some point in life, the successful person determines what his/her strengths are.  Anyone who makes the right business decisions generally has strengths that affect that outcome.  You may be lucky in some things that lead to success, but don't expect luck to be the factor that pulls you through consistently.

As much as we hate it, weaknesses have a great deal to do with success and happiness, too.  The individual who can balance their strengths and weaknesses has a better outlook on everything in life.

Course Grades and Aptitude Tests for College Bound Students

School counselors attempt to identify what students have the best aptitude for based on how they perform in their studies and on certain aptitude and personality tests.  Parents may have a good idea about this, also, based on the scores their children make in some courses, but some factors may exist that bear on why scores are what they are.

Analyzing Strengths and Weaknesses

Some reasons that black and white numbers can be misleading are:

* Some instructors are tougher than others are.  If the overall scores for a course show a large majority of the students don't perform well, it might be unfair to assume that it is a weak subject for your child.  The opposite can be true if the instructor is too easy on students.

* A teacher might not like your child personally and not grade him or her fairly.  This doesn't happen nearly as many times as students claim it does, but there are some instances when this occurs.

* Your teen might have personal issues that bear on performance.  This is a very common problem, especially when dating interests become important. Another reason, though it might sound silly, is that your child doesn't want to appear too smart or geeky.

* The course isn't challenging enough.  A student who isn't interested has a hard time doing well in any class.

It is much better to get more than one opinion on what strengths and weaknesses your child has.  When planning for college, you should research what the results of ACT or SAT scores indicate. High school transcripts are also important to evaluate if your student's GPA will meet college admissions requirements.  College entrance exams may be another source when applicable.

One element that can't be quantified or measured with a grading system is the desire your child has to accomplish goals.  You may find that he or she wants to enter a profession strongly enough to work twice as hard at some studies that aren't on their strengths side of the equation.

Communication is key between you and your child to help them make the best choices possible based on the known information and their specific goals and interests for the best college experience.