Test Preparation

On this page you will find general test preparation websites and links to information on test anxiety as well as specific information on preparing for the ACT and SAT.

General Test Preparation Websites

Test Anxiety

Three websites that help address students with Test Anxiety are:

ACT Preparation

For practice ACT tests and online preparation please visit http://www.actstudent.org/onlineprep

Tips for Taking the ACT from the ACT Website

1. Carefully read the instructions on the cover of the test booklet.
2. Read the directions for each section carefully.
3. Read each question carefully.
4. Pace yourself—don't spend too much time on a single passage or question.
5. Use a soft lead No. 2 pencil with a good eraser; do not use a mechanical pencil, ink pen or correction fluid.
6. Answer the easy questions first, then go back and answer the more difficult ones.
7. On difficult questions, eliminate as many incorrect answers as you can, then make an educated guess among those remaining.
8. Answer every question. Your scores on the multiple-choice tests are based on the number of questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for guessing.
9. Review your work. If you finish a test before time is up, go back and check your work.
10. Mark your answers neatly. If you erase, erase completely and cleanly without smudging.
11. Do not mark or alter any ovals on a test or continue writing on the Writing Test after time has been called or you will be disqualified from the exam.
12. If you are taking the Writing Test, see these Writing Test Tips below.

Tips for the Writing Test from the ACT Website

1. You'll have 30 minutes to read and think about the issue in the prompt, and to plan and write your essay. Here are some quick tips to help you use your time effectively.
2. Carefully read the instructions on the cover of the test booklet.
3. Do some planning before writing the essay—You will be instructed to do your prewriting in your Writing Test booklet. You can refer to these notes as you write the essay on the lined pages in your answer folder.
4. Carefully consider the prompt and make sure you understand it—reread it if you aren't sure.
5. Decide how you want to answer the question in the prompt.
6. Then jot down your ideas on the topic: this might simply be a list of ideas, reasons, and examples that you will use to explain your point of view on the issue.
7. Write down what you think others might say in opposition to your point of view and think about how you would refute their arguments.
8. Think of how best to organize the ideas in your essay.
9. At the beginning of your essay, make sure readers will see that you understand the issue.
10. Explain your point of view in a clear and logical way.
11. If possible, discuss the issue in a broader context or evaluate the implications or complications of the issue.
12. Address what others might say to refute your point of view and present a counter-argument.
13. Use specific examples.
14. Vary the structure of your sentences, and use varied and precise word choices.
15. Make logical relationships clear by using transitional words and phrases.
16. Do not wander off the topic.
17. End with a strong conclusion that summarizes or reinforces your position.
18. If there is time, do a final check of the essay when it is finished.
19. Correct any mistakes in grammar, usage, punctuation, and spelling.
20. If you find any words that are hard to read, recopy them so your readers can read them easily.
21. Make any corrections and revisions neatly, between the lines (but not in the margins)

SAT Preparation

For a practice SAT test and online preparation:

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/prep_one.html

For the SAT Question of the Day:

http://www.collegeboard.com/apps/qotd/question

Test-Taking Approaches From the SAT Website

1. Answer easy questions first. You earn just as many points for easy questions as you do for hard questions. The easier questions are at the beginning of the section and the harder questions at the end—except for Critical Reading questions, which are ordered according to the logic and organization of each passage.
2. Guess smart. If you can rule out one or more answer choices for a multiple-choice question as definitely wrong, your chances of guessing the right answer improve. For math questions without answer choices, fill in your best guess; no points are subtracted for wrong answers as they are in all other question types.
3. Omit questions that you really have no idea how to answer. But if you can rule out any choice, you probably should guess from among the rest of the choices.
4. Don't panic if you cannot answer every question. You do not have to answer every question correctly to get a good score. You can get an average score by answering about half of the questions correctly and omitting the remaining questions.
5. Use your test book for scratch work. You can also cross off choices you know are wrong and mark questions you have omitted so you can go back to them if you have time.
6. Keep track of time. If you finish a section before time is called, check your answers in that section only