Many students are taking the SAT this weekend and around this time of the year. Preparation for the SAT is crucial and a former academic advisor at one of the nation’s most prestigious colleges offers 10 tips to improve your test taking skills.
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By JoAnne C. Bunnage
If there is is one thing that most students fear, it’s taking test — especially the SAT and ACT achievement tests.
You are not alone in your fears. The good news is that you can reduce your anxiety by being well-prepared for the experience by following these test-taking strategies.
1. Get In Test Taking Shape
Start by thoroughly reading “Taking the SAT” and SAT/ACT information books. There are many books to choose from online, in the library and bookstores. These resources will help you to understand how the tests are organized. They show you the types of questions that will be asked, and they review the methods used to score the tests.
2. Develop Your Academic Skills
Work on developing your vocabulary by using a dictionary to look up unfamiliar words. Word lists and flash cards also can increase your vocabulary. Review basic math facts, algebra equations and geometry problems that you have learned in your high school math courses. Understanding basic concepts allows you to tackle many of the questions with more confidence.
3. Understand The Test Instructions
Study and understand the test instructions prior to the day of the test. Knowing the instructions means that less time will be spent figuring out what is being asked on each section. You then have more time to read each question and work the test problems.
4. Gather And Practice Answering Questions
After reading the SAT or ACT instruction book, use an old test and review questions from each section of a sample test. The questions generally get more difficult as you progress through the test, but if you understand how the test is structured, you can pace yourself better while taking it. Do not spend too much time on any one question.
5. Master The Art of Guessing
Eliminating wrong answers and intelligently guessing an answer can help you to score better on any test. Since a wrong answer on the SAT results in a deduction of one-fourth of a point, leaving a question blank when you don’t know the answer might be your best option. However, if you can eliminate one or two incorrect answers, your chances of “guessing” the correct answer is increased.
6. Practice, Practice, Practice
Take several practice tests under simulated test conditions. Set an alarm and stop when you allotted time is up. Score the test, review your answers and learn something from your corrections.
7. Know Your Strengths
After scoring your practice test, review your answers and highlight problem areas for additional work. Also concentrate on the types of questions that you did well on. It’s always good to accentuate the positive.
8. Ask Friends About The SAT/ACT
Try to learn from your friends’ accomplishments and mistakes. They can give you good insights that should help you feel more prepared for the test.
9. Keep Your Cool
Being well-prepared helps you to score better and to feel more confident on test day. You should also remember that your SAT/ACT score is only one factor a college considers when you apply for admission. Success in college is not completely determined by your test score, but more by your motivation, willingness to work hard and your preparation from high school.
10. Just Do It
Remind yourself that time spent preparing for the SAT or ACT can make a positive difference when you take the test. Your preparation and confidence combined should help you to score your best on test day.
For additional information about specific academic matters or preparation for college, contact your high school counselor or a member of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A).
Keep in mind the current NCAA Eligibility Standards and the sliding scale requirements for freshman eligibility. If you have a 2.0 GPA in 16 required core courses, you must score 1010 or better on the SAT or 86 or better on the ACT. If you have a 2.5 GPA, your score at minimum must be 820 or 68 all the way up to a 3.55 GPA and above with a minimum score of 400 or 37.
The more you are prepared, the better chance you’ll have for academic and athletic success!
JoAnne C. Bunnage is an Accreditation and Assessment Manager for the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University. When this article was first published for Student Sports Magazine in December of 1994, Bunnage was an academic advisor in the office of Academic Services for Student Athletes at the University of Notre Dame.
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