| Taking the SAT and ACT is practically a rite of | | | | If prep classes and tutors aren't affordable you can |
| passage for high school students. Love them or hate | | | | find alternatives. Some high schools offer free test |
| them, for better or worse, they are part of the | | | | prep after school, and there are many resources - |
| college search. You are going to need to take these | | | | from sample questions to advice on YouTube - |
| tests to get into college. | | | | available for free online. Any student may take the |
| There is much stress and trepidation about the test | | | | SAT or ACT as many times as they wish. Many |
| taking process. The tests themselves have even | | | | students find that their test scores increase on their |
| become controversial as some teachers and | | | | second attempt, although returns often diminish on |
| administrators have spoken out against them claiming | | | | the third or fourth try. |
| they are a poor representation of a student's ability | | | | There are also practical ways to prepare for the test. |
| and intelligence. | | | | First, eliminate distractions. Sleep well the night |
| But the SAT and ACT remain a fact of life. | | | | before. Eat breakfast. Give yourself plenty of time to |
| Standardized tests, and your performance on the | | | | get to the testing center and arrive early. Have your |
| tests, weigh heavily over the college admissions | | | | test materials ready in advance. If you have to |
| process. Many schools have strict test-score | | | | worry about hunger, finding a parking space or where |
| thresholds students must meet before they will even | | | | your pencils are then you won't be focused on the |
| be considered for admission. | | | | test. |
| Knowing the important role standardized tests play in | | | | All the preparation in the world does not guarantee |
| college admissions is only the first step. Now, you | | | | success on the ACT and SAT. Some students do |
| must give yourself the opportunity to succeed on | | | | not test well, and colleges know this. If your test |
| the tests - and keep your sanity. | | | | scores are close to a school's requirements they may |
| A key component of success on the tests is | | | | make adjustments if for strong grades or |
| familiarity to achieve this, some students choose to | | | | outside-of-school performance. A few schools have |
| take prep courses or hire private tutors. Both of | | | | even gone test-optional, and do not require the ACT |
| these options can be very costly, but they can be | | | | or SAT. |
| effective. | | | | So while a low score isn't the end of your college |
| Prep courses give students the opportunity to take | | | | search, a strong performance will go a long way to |
| sample tests and become more accustomed to the | | | | helping you get into the right college for you. A |
| types of questions asked. Private tutors will offer | | | | strong performance begins with knowing the |
| test-taking strategies and will also be familiar with the | | | | importance of the tests, and preparing accordingly. |
| test formats. | | | | |