subject: How Test Prep Might Get You Into College Or Keep You Out [print this page] Eric had a decent GPA and was looking at some competitive colleges. His first ACT score was a 22 but he had not done any test prep before the test. His parents encouraged him to take a six week course to see if he could improve his score. The class only had seven students and Eric learned some good test-taking and time management techniques that helped him bring up his score to a 25. This put him in a pretty good position for a number of colleges he was considering.
Peter on the other hand, decided that his SAT scores were good enough and he wasn't interested in taking the test again. One of his first choice colleges suggested he do some test preparation and re-take the SAT. He didn't want to waste another Saturday morning and decided he would go with the score he had. He was not accepted by that school.
You wouldn't take the driver's test without studying first would you? You probably wouldn't take an important history exam without knowing what to expect. Preparing for the SAT and ACT should be no different. Studies show that test prep reduces test anxiety and helps students improve their scores. When students prepare for the SAT and ACT they will perform better because they are more confident.
Students should look for a course that has small classes and an experienced SAT and ACT tutor. You don't need to go to Kaplan or the Princeton Review to find some great test prep near you. If you feel that individual tutoring might be a better bet, google in "test prep + your city" to find what options are available. Whatever you choose should be affordable as well as effective.
Good test prep teaches students useful strategies to use when they take the SAT and ACT. Students also learn how to manage their time and pace themselves throughout the tests. They will know how to approach each part of the test and which questions they need to answer first.
Even though the SAT and ACT are far from perfect tests, they do allow a college or university to see how a student performs on a standardized test. Since high school courses and grades vary so much from one school to another, these tests can be an important measure of how students might be expected to perform their first year of college. Colleges want students to be academically successful and that is why these tests will never go away.
Test prep can improve SAT and ACT scores. Helping students improve their test scores can increase their chances for college admission. Better test scores can also lead to scholarships and merit aid. Who couldn't use more money to help pay for college?
