| Students will be taking the most important tests in | | | | Too many students are rejected from colleges |
| their high school career sometime in the next few | | | | because of low test scores. Many lose out on merit |
| months. SAT and ACT scores are among the top | | | | scholarships because their test scores are not high |
| three criteria for college admissions at the majority | | | | enough. |
| of schools. When students do well on these tests, it | | | | Students often find the SAT and ACT tests |
| can greatly improve their college opportunities and | | | | intimidating. They seem very unlike anything they |
| chances for scholarships. It is much easier to improve | | | | have studied in school. In addition, the tests are |
| a student's test scores than it is to improve their | | | | timed and the race to finish each section can be very |
| GPA. These tests are coachable and when students | | | | frustrating. Students need to become familiar with |
| learn the necessary strategies and gain some | | | | the tests and gain practice on the types of questions |
| invaluable practice, they can increase their scores. | | | | that are asked. They must learn to work within the |
| With this in mind, wouldn't it make sense for high | | | | allotted time frame and find out which questions they |
| school juniors to prepare for these tests before they | | | | should tackle or skip depending upon the section and |
| take them for the first time? Too often students | | | | their strengths and weaknesses. Students need to |
| think that test prep is something that is not | | | | practice, review, and practice some more to gain |
| necessary. They feel they can do whatever test | | | | confidence in their test-taking abilities. They also need |
| prep they need on their own. Most, however, do not | | | | to find ways to cope with the stress that |
| take the time or have the discipline to do enough to | | | | accompanies these tests and can adversely affect |
| make a difference. Recent studies show that earlier | | | | their test scores. |
| critics now agree that test prep works and can | | | | Parents should look into their test prep options early |
| make a difference in a student's performance. Even | | | | and decide which is best for their high school junior. |
| the College Board and ACT, publishers of the two | | | | There are good test prep courses and tutoring |
| tests, provide test prep materials for students to | | | | available in your community that are not expensive |
| purchase. Test prep has become a big business, but | | | | and do not require five or six hours a week of a |
| you can help your student prepare for these tests | | | | student's participation. A course should have no more |
| by finding affordable and effective courses or | | | | than twelve students and the teacher should be an |
| tutoring. | | | | experienced test prep coach, not just someone who |
| Many parents listen to college representatives who | | | | has scored well on the tests. Students should |
| tell them that they look at each college applicant in a | | | | practice on real SAT and ACT tests, not samples |
| "holistic manner" and that test scores are not a big | | | | that are developed by a test prep company. It |
| deal. However, research shows that more than 70% | | | | doesn't make sense to practice on anything but the |
| of colleges and universities consider SAT and ACT | | | | real test. |
| test scores a significant factor in college admissions. | | | | |