Best Success Strategies for SAT and ACT Test Preparation Preparing for the SAT and ACT exams is super important for students aiming for colleges and universities in the US. Doing well on these tests can open up a lot of opportunities and scholarships, but they can be pretty tough. This article dives into must-know advice from high achievers, like learning test-specific techniques, creating study plans you can stick to, and using smart strategies to boost your college applications. Get ready to ace your exams with our helpful tips and strategies!
Tailor your SAT/ACT Study Plan to You! Preparing for the SAT and ACT requires consistency and discipline since most of the studying is self-directed. A structured study plan is essential, giving you deadlines, goals, and accountability to stay on track as the exams approach. Your study needs will vary based on factors like your baseline knowledge, learning style, and target score, so it’s crucial to create a personalised study plan that suits you. Your plan should be realistic and achievable, focusing on gradual progress to keep up your momentum. This plan will help you develop better time management skills, which will benefit you not only for the SAT/ACT but also for college.
Here's how to create your study planner:
Choose a calendar tool: Pick one that works best for you, like Notion, Google Calendar, Outlook, or even a paper planner.Fill in your commitments: Include school classes, assignment deadlines, work, volunteering, and events. Prioritise these based on deadlines and their importance to your overall grade. Identify tasks you can postpone until after the exams to free up more prep time.Start with a diagnostic exam: Take this as soon as possible to accurately gauge your study needs based on your current knowledge level.Schedule specific study blocks: Find your most focused times of the day and set aside dedicated study periods (e.g., 2 hours each on Saturday and Sunday mornings for SAT/ACT preparation).Set targeted goals: Break down the exam into sections and subsections. For example, under the SAT Maths section, focus on ratios and percentages, then move on to another subsection once you see improvement. This approach helps you tackle your weakest areas first.Build up your study stamina: Start with about 2-3 hours a week, then gradually increase to more than 5 hours a week, and eventually up to 10-15 hours. Start taking practice exams halfway through your prep timeline. As the exam date gets closer, spend a few weeks working on timing and simulating exam conditions. Remember, practice makes perfect for standardised tests. You already know what you’ll be tested on, so just focus on applying your knowledge.This general framework can help kickstart your planning, but remember to adjust based on your specific needs and progress. Your targeted goals will likely change as you practice more questions. There's no specific right time to start or a set number of hours you need to study each week, as long as you complete all your preparation before the exam and feel confident going into it. For some students, 2-3 months of preparation is enough; others might need 5 months or even decide to retake the exams multiple times. It all depends on how quickly you grasp maths, reading, writing, etc. Test-taking itself is a skill, and the more you practice, the faster and more efficient you'll become.
Identify Areas of Improvement During Your SAT/ACT Study Once you know your diagnostic exam baseline scores, it's time to address your weaknesses. Don't leave them for last; the more you tackle your weaknesses, the better your confidence will be on exam day. Here are some tips to address your weak points:
Create a collection log of your wrong answers: Review them and reattempt them after some time has passed. Practice, practice, and practice them more.Do a few questions every day: Even if you don't have much time, try to answer a few questions daily and review your question log before sleeping. This helps build on your mistakes and prevents you from forgetting and making the same errors repeatedly.Seek different perspectives: See how others approach the same question and try different strategies in your practice. Diversify your resources by using official and unofficial sources, websites, review books, YouTube, group study, and tutoring. This exposes you to various difficulty levels and approaches.For maths, focus on timing: Practice mental maths to save time by using the calculator less. Targeted practice works best for maths—improve your foundations before moving on to more advanced topics.For the language components of the exam: Read a variety of materials to build your vocabulary and speed. This can be done by reading news articles, science textbooks, history articles, etc. Use online speed reading tools and have AI generate questions to build your reading comprehension. In a pinch, use strategies to reach your answers faster. For example, skim the stem in a zigzag fashion to get the key message. Most questions require you to have read the passage properly, so glance at the keywords in your questions. When reading, note the keywords, highlight the relevant part, read it slower to understand it fully, and then answer the questions. Understanding grammar is crucial here, as many language questions test your grasp of grammar rules. For writing essays: Reading a variety of materials will help you by building your basic knowledge in different areas. While reading, take note of structure and word choice, and apply them to your essays. The best way to improve your essays is to have someone else evaluate how directly you've answered the essay prompt, such as a teacher, tutor, or peer. Review fundamental grammar and punctuation rules and practice them in your writing.For the science section of the ACT: Practice data interpretation by focusing on reading graphs, tables, and charts quickly and accurately. Practice identifying trends, comparing data points, and interpreting experimental results.Practice under timed conditions to improve your speed for test-taking: Timing yourself will make a significant difference and help you avoid feeling rushed. Don’t put yourself into a position where you miss out on questions because every question counts.Tips from a previous SAT student: “What made the biggest difference from a 2000 score to a 2300 score for me is that the second time I prepared for the exam, I kept reviewing my wrong answers over and over. I did practice every day until the exam.”
Don’t Let Studying Become Boring! Self-directed test preparation can get very lonely and boring. Here are some tips for staying motivated during the preparation process:
Keep in Mind the Ultimate Goals and Rewards Awaiting You Post-Exams Reminding yourself of why you’re studying can be an excellent way to restore your motivation. Consider why you’re sitting the test in the first place, and review your long-term goals and what you intend to achieve as a result of your test preparation. Write the reasons down on a piece of paper and pin them up on the wall. Whether it’s getting good marks, learning about a field, or becoming qualified for a chosen career pathway, your goals can drive you to persist in your academic work. Focus on what you like about each course and subject, whether it’s the research, writing, or sharing ideas with other students. This can help you stay engaged. Break Down your Goals into Smaller, Manageable Tasks to Maintain Momentum By dividing up a task into smaller chunks, you’ll be less likely to feel overwhelmed and unmotivated. For example, with an essay, break it down into the research, writing, and editing stages. You can then further divide each stage into smaller tasks, like researching specific topics. Tackling each step one at a time can prevent you from feeling swamped. Another effective method is the Pomodoro Technique, which involves dividing tasks into intervals of 15 or 25 minutes. This shorter time span helps you stay focused and prevents intimidation by the task at hand. In between intervals, take five-minute breaks to relax and recharge. Find Study Buddies or Join Study Groups for Mutual Support and Encouragement Study groups are excellent for staying motivated. You can create one with friends or join an established group. Engaging with people who have similar goals allows you to share ideas and motivate each other to meet deadlines. It's beneficial to have study groups with people taking the same courses as you. If you’re unsure where to find a study group, start with online platforms like MoocLab or GoConqr, or reach out to your academic institution for information about online groups they might have. Reward Yourself for Reaching Milestones or Completing Challenging Tasks Treat yourself to something enjoyable as a way to celebrate your progress. Stay positive and visualise your success to keep your motivation levels high. Maintaining a positive mindset and regularly envisioning your success can help you stay focused and determined throughout your preparation. What To Do on Exam Day? Avoid Test Day Nerves! The better you are prepared the less worries you will have on exam day, for this reason here are our top do’s and don'ts during the test:
What to Do on Test Day Arrive early: If possible, visit the testing location a few days in advance to familiarise yourself with the site, distance, and transportation options. On the test day, arrive early to avoid any unexpected setbacks.Prepare everything the night before: Organise all necessary items in a clear pencil case, including your ID, admission ticket, approved calculator, pencils, etc.Take care of your body: Ensure you get enough sleep and eat well leading up to the exam. Start your day with energy-boosting foods like granola or oat bars, fruits, and juices to stay alert.Read instructions carefully: Pay close attention to test instructions both when you register and when you start your exam. Make sure to understand and answer what the questions are actually asking for.What to Not Do On Test Day Avoid bringing prohibited items: Cheating or bringing unauthorised items can have severe consequences. Phones are allowed in backpacks, but they must be off your body and set to "do not disturb" or shut down until the exam is over. Any noise from your device could lead to disqualification and future testing restrictions.Don’t waste time: Exams are designed to test your performance under time pressure, so manage your time wisely. Use provided clocks or a simple watch to pace yourself. If stuck on a question for more than two minutes, move on to ensure you have time for easier questions.Don’t leave questions blank: There are no penalties for guessing, so make sure to answer all questions. Allocate some time at the end of the exam to review your answers, ensuring no question is left unanswered.In Conclusion Remember that while these exams are important in determining your future career path, don't sacrifice your health and social support for them. Fortunately, the ACT/SAT offer multiple test dates, allowing you to sit them as many times as you like. Ultimately, they are just standardised exams, and the scores are merely numbers—they are just one step among many towards your future dreams. Therefore, taking care of yourself should be your priority. There's only one of you, and there are numerous opportunities to achieve your goals with or without these exams. Try to minimise stress and anxiety by finding ways to manage them, such as practicing mindfulness, taking breaks, talking to friends/family, or unwinding with your favourite show or study song playlist. Then, celebrate the effort you've put in!
