Prep Talk
Test Taking Tips for ACT and SAT
Posted April 4th, 2016
Is your son nervous about taking the ACT or SAT? He’s in good company. Many students find sitting for the SAT exam to be stressful. However, taking these exams doesn’t have to be stressful. We found a helpful article in Family Education that lists some good tips for preparing before test day. Here’s a synopsis of the highlights:
Be Equipped: Make a list of everything you need for the test, and make sure to gather all of it the night before, so you’re not running around at the last minute. Things you must have include:
• Your admission ticket
• A valid form of photo ID
• Several #2 pencils
• A calculator with fresh batteries (SAT only)
• A watch
• High energy snack
Don’t Cram–Get in Test Mode: The worst thing you can do to your brain before a big test is try to jam more information in it the night before. You’ve been preparing and studying for a long time, so trust that you’ll be able to recall it and do your brain a favor by getting a good night’s sleep. (They didn’t discuss it in the article, but hydrating your brain by drinking plenty of fresh water–not sugary sodas or caffeine drinks–is another way to keep your mind sharp.)
Arrive Early: If you’re unfamiliar with the test location, it can be a good idea to make a dry run out there before test day. On the day of the test, alleviate stress by making sure you allow enough time for traffic or weather problems to arrive early.
Don’t Get Stuck on One Question: Each question has the same point value, so don’t get hung up on a confusing or time-consuming one. Move on to cover easier questions and come back to the harder ones if you have time.
Keep Track of Where You Are: Sometimes the obvious answer isn’t the best one. However, watch where you are in a section. On the SAT, electing the obvious answer early in a section may be correct—but booby traps often lurk near the end of a set. Read carefully!
When in Doubt, make an Educated Guess: Never leave a question blank or guess randomly. Use the process of elimination to weed out answers you know are wrong, and make an educated guess on the remaining answers. Eliminating even one answer choice can pay on the SAT. On the ACT, only correct answers count, so it’s better to guess than leave a blank.
Be Careful on the Grid: Check to make sure you’re filling in the answers next to the right numbers on the test grid. It’s a common mistake to try to hurry and lose track.
Relax! While studying for the test, it’s important to watch your thoughts and attitude. Adopting a confident outlook (even if you don’t feel it at first), can go a long way toward getting a positive outcome on test day. The reverse is also true, so when you feel yourself starting to think negatively, take a deep breath and imagine yourself breezing through the questions with ease. Confidence counts!
For more information on how to prepare for taking these exams, contact Mrs. Coyle, our Director of College Guidance at mrs.coyle@hermits.com. Her direct phone extension is 856-697-2600, x-116.