Each year high school students study for and take their college entrance exams and look toward the next steps in their education. Preparing for college is more stressful for these students today than it has ever been. Student loan availability and scholarships are scarce, and university standards continue to rise. A strong ACT or SAT score is instrumental in helping a university determine whether to admit a candidate. Set up a plan to prepare your student for successful testing.
How Can I Be Prepared for My ACT or SAT?
- Practice, Practice, Practice! On www.ACTstudent.org, a student can take a practice ACT test and see sample writing prompts and responses. Understanding the test format is the first essential step in test preparation. Several facilities also offer practice written exams at little or no cost, which would make the experience authentic to the actual test.
- Know Strengths and Challenges. If a student has been successful throughout his or her school career in math, he may want to concentrate on enriching reading and composition skills in order to strive for the best score. Overall awareness of one's own strengths will help a student prioritize his study schedule.
- Enroll in a Preparation Course. Many schools and businesses in the Springfield area offer SAT or ACT preparation courses. The courses range in cost, student-to-teacher ratio and material covered, so some research may be necessary. It is a good idea to locate a course that offers not only subject area preparation, but also test-taking strategies to keep in mind on the day of the test.
- Take the Test Again. If a student feels that he or she can improve her score after the first attempt, there is no harm in trying again. In fact, a second experience may be less stressful, because the student will have a better idea of what to expect on the exam. It is common for the second exam score to be significantly higher than the first.
Submitted by Abby Fallis who is the Director of Education for Sylvan Learning Center here in Springfield. Sylvan offers a wide range of College Prep programs. Access their coupon on Mom's Choice.
