SAT/ACT

There are many college exams that you can take to show that you are a good candidate for the colleges you are applying to. Although college entrance exams are less important in applications than they used to be, you will still have to prove that you took at least one of these exams. As mentioned, there are several, and you can take them all or only one. Also, you can take the exams multiple times. This usually costs money, but if you are a low-income student and/or attend a low-income school, you may receive a specific number of fee waivers; this will let you take the exams at no cost. Usually, you will not receive more than two or three fee waivers; talk with your guidance counselor about this. For this reason, you should use them wisely, when you feel as prepared as possible for the exam. Here are some tips for studying for exams more effectively and taking exams with as little stress as possible.

01

Start studying for the exams when you are in 10th and 11th grade:

The earlier you can start studying for tests, the more beneficial it will be for your test results. The most common test taken for college entrance is the SAT. The SAT is usually taken at the beginning or end of the eleventh grade (in order to have grades ready to turn in with college applications that are due very early in the school (usually senior) year - these are usually for Ivy League schools) For this reason, you should start studying in your tenth grade (you can even start in your ninth grade). There are many resources on the internet for studying for the SAT, the most popular being Khan Academy. Khan Academy is completely free and personalizes the practice you receive, so that you only practice the materials that are most difficult for you. This resource is used by most high school students and I can't recommend it enough! You can also take the PSAT. This test is structured in the same way that the SAT is structured, but it is simply for students to practice for the SAT and begin to familiarize themselves with the concepts and skills of the test. This test also costs money, but you should find out if your school offers fee waivers for this exam as well.

02

Schedule your first SAT or ACT test in your eleventh grade:

As mentioned, you must start taking these tests in your eleventh grade in order to improve your scores and have some scores ready to turn in on applications with early deadlines. Another test that you can take other than the SAT is the ACT. The ACT is just a little bit different from the SAT. The SAT has sections for English, grammar, and math only. The ACT does not have a section for grammar; instead, it has sections for English, math, and science. If you are not very comfortable with science, maybe you should practice science with special attention or maybe you should not take the ACT (remember, it is not necessary to take this test - there are many different options so do not feel pressured to take a test that you are not comfortable taking). Universities understand that different students have different options and opportunities; there is no explicitly correct way to take these tests. Don't feel pressured to apply to college or take tests in someone else's formulaic way. You can complete this process very well and in your own way, always maintaining your integrity and always being true to yourself. In this section I have included links to the SAT and ACT websites so that you can research the different sections of the tests in more detail. These websites should also have resources like test books and tips to remember when you take the tests.

03

Practice, practice, practice and get a good night's sleep the night before your exam!:

If you practice diligently for the exams, you will do well. You should also make sure that you get enough sleep the night before the exam. Sleep deprivation can have a very negative impact on how you score on the exam; your brain just doesn't work the same when it's severely tired (it's something I wish I had known a little earlier in my high school career). Below are some quick tips to improve your scores on these tests:

Time yourself when you practice: Time is one of the most difficult things that you will have to deal with during the exam. There are too many questions and not enough time to answer all of them. You are going to have to maximize your time. You have to go very fast. However, it’s more important to answer as many questions as you can in the time you have rather than spending too much time on a single question.
Practice consistently: find a schedule to practice regularly that works for you
Keep on practicing the skills you find most challenging