ACT & SAT Test Prep Strategies
Today, I participated in SACAC’s annual Mini Camp College Workshop which was held at the University of Miami. I was surrounded by some fantastic guidance counselors and admissions reps who gave out tons of useful information about the college application process. I noticed many students taking notes on my section, “Test Prep Strategies,” so I’ve pasted the content of the slides onto this blog post. Hope it helps and feel free to email me if you have any questions. I’m here to help!
SAT or ACT?
Both are widely used and accepted
Content is slightly different
ACT has a Science section
SAT has a “no calculator” Math section
SAT is scored on a scale of 400-1600 and ACT on a scale of 1-36
My advice:
Take Both!
General SAT Strategies
Practice! And Practice Some More!
But don’t just practice…
Classic Strategies
Process of Elimination
Think of your answer first
Focus
Don’t fall for the traps
Remember: there is only one true right answer
SAT Reading
1st Step: Fiction or Nonfiction?
For Fiction:
Visualize as you read
Get the Gist (GG)
Active Reading (notes, underline)
Focus on main events and character emotions
Feel the mood
For Nonfiction
Skim for the main idea
Focus on the first and last sentences of each paragraph, but pay attention to the first and last paragraphs
Forget the details
When you get to the questions, that is when you read the details.
Save the first question for last.
For science passages
Usually an experiment or theory
Understand what is being explored and the conclusion
Skim at first and read the details after
For double passages
Best handled passage by passage.
Opposing viewpoints?
For all readings
Focus on Italicized introductions
Think of your answer before looking at answer choices
Process of Elimination
There is a mistake in 4 out 5 answer choices
Save the main idea question for last or go back to it
Read the line above and below
For paired evidence questions: Read the answer choices first for the second question in the pair.
Don’t waste time reading over and over
Feign interest
Answer all questions
SAT Writing
Know your rules
Don’t trust your ear
Think of your answer first
Process of elimination
Read the passages to understand the context
“No change” is possible
Use the answer choices to guide you
Short and Sweet
SAT Math
Practice
Master the basic skills until you are an expert
Don’t fall for their traps
Read all questions in their entirety
Be comfortable without a calculator
Train yourself to be a master at multiplication, division, and integers without a calculator
Don’t be afraid of the Grid-in section
Questions are in order of increasing difficulty
Translate words to equations
Draw
Memorize formulas
Underline the questions
Plug in answers
SAT ESSAY
Analyze
Underline and take notes
Brainstorm
Outline
Write
Avoid Summarizing
Revise
Overall SAT Strategies
Skip difficult questions
Make sure you answer all questions
Don’t study too much the night before
Have a good breakfast and bring snacks
Focus on productive practice
ACT General Tips
Time is the main concern
For Reading: Read the interesting passage first
Skim
For Science:
Focus on graphs, not text
Save Conflicting Viewpoints for last
The ACT Essay
Think of possible topics and examples ahead of time
Focus on introductions and conclusions
All examples should relate to your thesis
To Report or not to Report?
Think of your profile and your attributes
Some universities do stress high scores while others don’t
Visit: https://www.fairtest.org/university/optional for a list of test optional universities
Resources
Khan Academy
College Board Practice Tests
Tutoring to improve areas of weakness
Things to Consider
Your score is not the only factor in admissions decisions.
Where you go is not who you’ll be...
Thank You