Getting Started: How to Prepare for Tests

Spring and Summer

For students who plan on going to college, now is the time to start making plans- don’t wait until the last minute to prepare for testing (SAT, ACT). If you haven’t been consulting with your guidance counselor, here are some prep tips to get you up to snuff.
Experts suggest you should use this time during the spring to select an exam date(s) and schedule a thorough test plan:.

About College Admissions Playbook

As the anxiety builds and you and your parents have questions about the application process, there are some comprehensive help guides that offer valuable advice.
The College Admissions Playbook offers prospective college students advice on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, SAT and ACT exams and the college application process.
Varsity Tutors is a live learning platform that connects students with personalized instruction to accelerate academic achievement.
It offers options including mobile learning apps, online learning environments and other tutoring and test prep-focused technologies. Get help here: Email [email protected].

What’s Your Learning Style Comfort Zone?

Discover How to Align ACT, SAT Prep

Most agree we may have different learning styles. Some are better in at least three major learning styles: auditory, kinesthetic and visual, however some may have combined skills.
According to analysists, you do not have to adapt to a certain ACT or SAT prep learning style.
Maximize your ACT or SAT study efforts with these three steps.
Assess your learning style or styles section by section.
Experiment with different strategies for each section to assess your learning style and determine which techniques work best for you.
(Excerpts from Briana Boyington, senior digital producer for Consumer Advice, US News)

Step Up Your Game with these 3 Tips

Practice Tests Can Elevate ACT, SAT Prep This Fall

Taking practice exams are a crucial to your preparation for college admissions tests,
Although you may dread the thought of taking a practice test before a real exam, it’s a critical step in test preparation.
If your ACT or SAT test scores are not up to par, take the time to complete one or more “test runs” to improve your score, since these tests may be useful in order to identify appropriate study actions or strategies. Note: Depending on which school you apply for, they may used different barometers to meet eligibility requirements. Some schools have opted out of using these scores. Check with your guidance counselor or the school itself.
(CPAP can help you with this…)

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Three reasons to Set Aside time for a practice exam

Practice exams may lessen test anxiety.
The unfamiliar can be frightening. One of the very last things you will want to experience during the ACT or SAT is feeling off-balance because the exam is conducted differently from what you imagined. Students who take the ACT or the SAT without first completing practice exams may not know what pace is required to finish on time, for example, and this can cause anxiety.
In addition, proctors will be reading instructions on test day. While some of these instructions are common sense, others may surprise students who have not thoroughly researched the format of the exam. Knowing exactly what to expect can help you feel secure in your knowledge so you can focus on getting as many questions correct as possible.
Should they feel anxious on test day, students who have taken a practice test can remind themselves that they know what they are walking into and have taken the time to prepare. This should help them feel more confident.
Practice tests can help with motivation. It can be challenging for students to try their hardest on the ACT or SAT when they are not sure how hard they must try in order to reach their goal score.
By taking a practice test several months before the real exam, you can analyze your results to determine what areas need improvement and attention. This will allow you to set an appropriate study plan.
A practice test can also motivate students who need to improve by a sizable amount to start early and commit fully to studying. When you know what areas need improvement and how much improvement they need, scheduling study time can seem more important.