How to Prepare for College Placement Tests

Preparation for college placement tests such as the SAT and ACT begins years before you take the test. Here is a list of the things you can do depending on how much time you have. I have been an SAT tutor and I had a small business writing and selling work sheets for SAT preparation courses. My own son did very very well on the tests. I won't brag and tell you how well, but I will tell you several large universities offered him full scholarships.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Time
• practice tests
• test preparation books
• Things you need to bring to the test:
• number 2 pencils
• your ID
• your admission ticket
• graphing calculator
• eraser
• hoodie or sweater
• hairband (if you have long hair)
• snack

1. 

   If you have seventeen years: Choose good parents ones who will read to you every day and give you piano lessons to improve your math skills.

2. If you are in elementary or middle school: Read every day especially classics. Be sure to include in your reading list lots of classics from the 19 th and early 20 th centuries such as Dickins, C.S. Lewis, Austin and Twain. These will introduce you to much of the vocabulary you will need on the college placement tests.

3. 

   If you are starting high school: Choose challenging courses. Make sure you finish geometry before you take the SAT/ACT or at least finish the first half of the course. Keep reading. Read a variety of books, newspapers and magazines.

4. If you have six months to a year before you take the tests: Begin working through one of the test prep books. Make a schedule for finishing the workbook before you take the test, but don't try to go to fast. You will not retain what you have studied. Take timed practice tests at regular intervals; your improvement will encourage you and give you confidence.

5. 

   You can also take a SAT or ACT preparation course. There are many advantages to learning in a class. First, it is more enjoyable to be with a group. Second a class will likely take less time than individual study. Lastly, if you don't have the self discipline to sit down and work on your own for several hours a week you should prepare with a class or a tutor. These course are based on the same information available in the test preparation books, so if you want to save money you will lose nothing working on your own.

6. If you have a month before the test: Hire an SAT tutor. They can test you to see what you already know and work efficiently to improve your weaknesses.

7. If its a few days before the test: Read the instructions and do a few timed practice tests so you have an idea of what to expect on the test day.

8. 
   Thing you need to take to the test. Also your ID and Admission ticket.

   The test is tomorrow: Get a copy of the test instructions and read them before hand so you can save time when the test begins. Be sure you know how to get to the test site and how long it will take you to get there. Worrying about being late is stressful. Get home early. Lay out everything you will need the night before. Be sure to bring your ID, your admission ticket, a calculator, snacks, a sweater or sweatshirt in case the test site is cold, something to keep your hair out of your eyes if you have long hair and lots of sharp number two pencils with erasers. Eat a moderate dinner and go to bed early. Get up in plenty of time, dress comfortably and eat a good breakfast with protein.

9. 

   At the test site. Good luck. If anything in the environment is bothering you ask the moderator if it can be fixed. You will probably be allowed to change seats if the person next to you is too noisy and they might be able to turn up the heat if it is freezing. If it can't be fixed try to relax and forget about it.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also take an on line preparation course. I have looked at one or two of these and I think a book is better, but there are many on the internet and some may be better than others.
• SAT and ACT are different tests. Reading and taking challenging courses will help you on both tests, but you need to do different test preparation for each test.
• If there are any concepts you do not understand go to one of your teachers for help. You should be able to find a teacher who is willing to help you.

[sonni57]

on 3/10/2009 Wonderful article thanks for the suggestion.

[veryirie]

on 12/8/2008 Excellent, well written article on how to prepare yourself for college placement tests. 5* article.

[Rockney]

on 11/29/2008 Good advice!