Preparing for the ACT or SAT is two fold: content review and building test taking skills. The ACT and SAT are unlike other tests students regularly take for high school classes. For example, rarely does a math or science teacher give a multiple choice exam, so students need to be familiar with solving math problems for a multiple choice format. Then, the timed environment can add pressures, in the form of additional thoughts about pacing one’s answering of questions while maximizing one’s score. These thoughts can distract from recalling content, further complicating the timing pressures. Overlaying the test itself, are years of expectations about going to college, the knowledge the test scores will be used in evaluating a student’s admissions to a college, an early Saturday morning (not usually a favorite amongst teenagers) PLUS 3 hours and 45 minutes of testing time. The stamina and concentration needed to endure and perform on the test takes practice–completing simulated tests, not just reviewing content.
More on the SAT & ACT and Scores Use in the College Admissions Process
