Students should prepare for standardized tests as they do for any major performance. A track meet? You run a little bit every day. A trumpet solo? You practice for months! This same approach should be applied to SAT/ACT test preparation: students should study and practice each and every day.
SAT:
SAT prep and practice is crucial to improving SAT scores. The SAT is a time-intensive and patterned exam: familiarizing oneself with the structure, format and content can significantly improve performance.
The SAT is largely a reasoning exam. Many students struggle with critical reasoning tasks simply because their minds are not programmed to think in a reasoning (as opposed to analytical) fashion. This is NOT indicative of intelligence, potential or future performance. However, as students need to “reprogram” their manner of thinking in order to succeed on the SAT, preparation is essential.
ACT:
The ACT is all about timing: each section is time-intensive and pacing will make or break an ACT score. There are numerous options to prepare for the exam, including private tutoring, group courses, independent study or online prep programs. Regardless of the preparation medium, students must be practicing regularly under timed testing conditions.
Don’t burn yourself out, though. Completing full-length exams each weekend in one sitting is not necessary. Rather, spend a few minutes each day: complete one reading passage, two science passages or ten math problems. Complete each section or portion in the appropriate amount of time to ensure that an awareness of time and the pacing necessary are being internalized.
WilsonDailyPrep, an innovative and award-winning online test-prep program, provides the daily practice that ensures success and guarantees a 200-point (4 pt. ACT) increase after only three months. SAT students are emailed six questions each weekday and receive immediate answer-analysis that highlights proven-effective strategies. ACT students learn to “beat the clock” with the built-in time tracking system while becoming familiar with the structure and content of the test as well as key ACT strategies. All students are assigned a personal coach who ensures accountability and provides guidance so that students may reach their testing potential.
Visit www.wilsondailyprep.com for program details.