Tips on Taking Standardizes Tests

Standardized tests are nothing new to any of us. You’ve heard of the PARCC, the SAT, and the ACT, but how do we know if we are taking the test in the best way possible? Have no fear, I am about to provide you with the tips and tools you need to succeed in your future of test-taking.

PARCC

An acronym for Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, the PARCC was introduced to Mount Olive High School just a few years ago. This test, as you can infer by the name, gauges your career and college readiness. The PARCC tests you only on your proficiency in reading, writing, and math.

Use your tools!

To earn a high score on the PARCC, there are several things you can do. The first is to utilize the resources that the test provides you. This includes a highlighting tool, notepad, and answer eliminator. Highlighting is a very useful tool that you should use whenever you get the opportunity. Consider reading through the questions first, then highlighting the answers and supporting details in the passage. This will keep you organized and help you manage your time. The answer eliminator is another helpful tool, and I personally find it quite satisfying to cross out an entire answer and reduce the ones to choose from (I’m an indecisive person). The answer eliminator is useful when you know an answer is definitely incorrect, and it allows you to put a big X over that answer. Just be careful, you do not want to eliminate an answer without fully thinking it over beforehand. Be sure to read the question carefully and comprehend what it is asking before eliminating answers. Finally, the notepad. Since the PARCC is taken online, the notepad is especially convenient. You can take quick notes for yourself, solve math problems, draw diagrams, or write reminders of details you read in texts.

Practice!

You can also benefit from the practice tests which are provided on the PARCC website. They offer practice tests for all subjects and grade levels, for free, which you can take as many times as you would like. These practice tests will help familiarize you with the types of questions and subject areas which you will encounter in the actual PARCC test. They are also a great way to practice using the aforementioned tools.

SAT/PSAT

The SAT. It is a scary acronym which stands for, actually, nothing! It was once an acronym for Scholastic Aptitude Test, but the SAT is really just a test brand nowadays. The SAT is globally recognized and created by the College Board. The SAT measures what you learn in school, as well as what you need to know for college. The SAT is a pretty tricky test to prepare for. But don’t lose hope. Since the SAT is recommended by a majority of colleges in the United States, there are countless resources and tools you can use to prepare.

Work Hard

I know, I sound like your parents. And your teachers. And everyone in the entire education system ever. But working hard is extremely important. According to the College Board website, the SAT tests your learning habits. You never know what kinds of questions you will see when you open up your test booklet. However, if you make good study habits and spend time comprehending subjects you learn in school, you will be much better equipped to answer the questions you will see on the test. So study, do your homework, and study some more!

Get Help!

You can’t always do everything on your own, especially learning. Sometimes, you just don’t understand how to graph an exponential function, or how to decode one of Shakespeare’s famous plays. That is okay! Teachers, tutors, and your friends are always around to help. And if for some reason they aren’t, turn to the trusty internet. Khan Academy is a well known education website, and for good reason. Virtually every topic can be found on the Khan Academy website, which is extremely helpful. Getting help with subjects or topics you do not fully understand will not only help your grades, but it will help you with your SAT.

Practice Makes Perfect

You have probably seen the stereotypical stressed high school student crying over ten giant SAT practice books in front of them, but it doesn’t have to be like that! SAT practice is crucial and can improve your scores greatly. You can borrow SAT practice books in the school or public library, or purchase one online or in a bookstore. SAT practice and preparation can also be found on websites like Shmoop or Sparknotes, which are free and easy to use. Another great way to practice for the SAT is to take the actual test. Well, not THE test, but a practice one. The PSAT is a proctored exam, just like the SAT, which gives you a feel for what taking the test is actually like. You can take this free of charge in your sophomore or junior year. Once you get your scores, you can actually send them to Khan Academy through the College Board, which will generate study sets and guides designed specifically to you and the questions you answered incorrectly on the test. You can also access free practice tests on the College Board’s website. There are also many SAT prep courses you can take locally or privately. It may take some research or a talk with your guidance counselor to figure out which prep course is right for you.

ACT

No, the ACT does not test your acting skills. If it did, I would easily get a negative fifteen. ACT, just like the SAT, used to be an acronym, for American College Test. Now, it is simply the ACT. The ACT tests your proficiency in math, science, reading, and english. The entire test is multiple choice, unless you opt to take the writing test, which consists of a single writing prompt.

Like the SAT, it is crucial that you work hard and get help when you need it. Doing so will help you achieve better scores. However, the way to practice for the ACT varies from the SAT.

There are four main ways to practice for the ACT, which are stated on the official ACT website:

• ACT Kaplan Online Prep Live- Interactive virtual classroom experience to prepare you for the test, also the most expensive, at $133.99

• ACT Online Prep- Online practice tests and review, $49.95

• The Official ACT Prep Guide- The official ACT guide, which includes 3 practice tests with answer explanations and test-taking strategies, $32.95

• Sample Test Questions- Free questions you can answer on the ACT website

Since many of these options are a bit pricey, it may be beneficial to work on the free sample questions practice tests online, then move on to one of the official ACT guides, if you wish. Paying for these prep books is not necessary, you can find great resources on websites like Khan Academy. Although they don’t offer specific practice for the ACT, the information on their site can help you brush up on your knowledge of the subjects you learn in school.

Taking the Tests

Before you sit down to take the PARCC, SAT, or ACT, it is important to be prepared emotionally and physically, not only mentally! Eat a healthy, filling breakfast, keep yourself hydrated, and get a good night’s sleep. Consider doing some meditation if you have a tendency to get nerves, anxiety, or stress before taking tests. Dress comfortable, but not so comfortable that you fall asleep during the test! Make sure you register for the tests through the official testing websites and bring all your materials to your testing site, such as a calculator, pencils, water and/or snacks, admission ticket, etcetera. And remember- you got this! Your studying and hard work will pay off, and you can always take the test again if you are unhappy with your score.

Happy testing!

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