Standardized Tests, like the SAT or ACT, are crucial components in the college application process. Some might think that these tests are only relevant if applying to colleges in the United States; however, some colleges in Europe also require students to send in their scores.
Very, very, few students are able to take these tests without preparation and do well. The majority of the students need to prepare well in advance in order to get a good score, both in the English section, as well as in the Mathematical section. My advice is that students should take a self-diagnosis exam and determine the areas where they are strong, where they can improve through self-discipline and practice, and the areas where they have learning gaps and would need additional help. Once this is determined, students should look for additional help that meets their needs. Maybe, the scenario calls for only investing time in Mathematics or only investing time in English, or maybe both. When working with tutors, the most important aspect is to be pro-active learners. Students should ask tutors to guide them in the questions they need help with, since they were not able to find the answer themselves. Self-discipline is incredibly important in order to achieve success. Practicing on your own and determining where additional work needs to be invested, is crucial. Adding to this, after the student has been able to master the content of the test, he or she should practice working with time and doing the entire test over and over again.
I usually encourage students to take these tests at least three times with intervals of a couple of months in between, in order to practice. Highly Selective colleges value the score of these tests immensely, since high scores add value to the applicant’s profile. Not all colleges require standardized testing scores and these colleges are known as score optional, which pose an interesting option for some students.
Facing the challenge of standardized tests is part of the application process and it should be tackled with the right disposition and determination to succeed.