What Students and Parents Should KNOW!
The recent SAT/ACT scandal has shed light on the important topic of college entrance exams – what they are, why they matter and why so many students and parents are at a loss regarding how to manage them.
The SAT and ACT exams are standardized tests required by most, not all, colleges. They are distinctly different exams, a factor that matters but is often lost on students and parents unless they have some insight about the testing process.
The SAT includes Verbal and Math content sections while the ACT includes Verbal, Math and also third section of Science. The ACT is also a more time sensitive test meaning that students are expected to answer verbal and science questions and solve math problems in a shorter amount of time.
It is because of these differences that students may often perform better on one test than on the other.
It is also because of these test differences and because few high school students have ever taken a test that is quite the same as an ACT or SAT, that students must prepare early.
Parents often expect, understandably so, that their A+ student will breeze through an SAT or ACT test. When this does not happen, they are left to wonder what to do next.
The following guide can help maximize a student’s SAT/ACT testing journey.
- Begin the SAT/ACT review process early in the junior year. Even earlier if the student is not a good test taker.
- Take one of each (SAT/ACT) with light or no preparation (“cold”) simply to get a feel for each test.
- Determine which test is the best fit and plan on taking the test several times during the junior year.
- Practice, practice, practice – whether it be in group, online or one on one, students will benefit from practice over time. The more students “work” the material, the better. When a student is able to apply learned strategies and time management to practice material, he or she will have a much better understanding of the process and, as a result, the student will have a heightened sense of confidence when taking the test.
Some might argue that these exams are
a waste of time and do not represent a student’s
academic readiness.
They might be right.
That, however, is not the issue at hand.
The issue at hand is that most students will have to take the SAT or ACT exam and most will not be equipped to do the best they can unless they are prepared!