14 JANUARY 16, 2020 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
EDUCATION
Five tips to ace college entry exams
Because most colleges and universities
require applicants
to submit ACT or SAT results
as part of admissions consideration,
prepping for the test itself can be a
critical component of that process.
While it can oftentimes be hard
to deal with the anxiety that comes
with a rigorous test meant to show
your mastery of certain subjects and
concepts, such as reading and mathematics,
consider these test prep
tips to help boost your score while
simultaneously lowering stress.
REGISTER EARLY
To allow yourself as much flexibility
as possible, taking college
entrance exams during your junior
year of high school is encouraged. If
you don’t get an ideal score, you can
refine your approach and retake the
exam with a better idea of what to
expect.
TAKE A PRACTICE TEST
Any test prep plan should start
with a practice SAT or ACT exam.
Taking practice tests under realistic
conditions can help you gain a better
understanding of the content of the
test, improve your time management
and help combat test anxiety. You
can use your practice test as a baseline
to set goals and focus the rest of
your prep on areas you would like to
improve before the real thing.
SIGN UP FOR A
PREP COURSE
If you find studying on your
own difficult or not as successful
as you’d hoped, a prep course can
put you through the paces and hold
you accountable. Complete with
homework and in-class practice,
prep classes can range from small
groups to larger classes taught by
test experts. Some school districts
even offer after-school programs
dedicated to ACT or SAT prep.
GATHER SUPPLIES
To help reduce test day stress,
gather everything you’ll need
the night before. Check the list of
banned items - cellphones aren’t
permitted - to make sure you don’t
accidentally bring something you’re
not allowed to have. Ensure your bag
is packed with your admission ticket,
valid photo identification, several
sharpened pencils with erasers, an
approved calculator (with fresh
batteries) and a watch, if allowed.
GET A GOOD NIGHT’S
SLEEP AND EAT
BREAKFAST
While it can be tempting to stay up
late the night before the test to cram,
you’re likely to perform better with a
full night’s sleep. Sleep is important
for retention, and eating a balanced
breakfast before heading out the
door can aid in your ability to focus.
To make your morning easier, prep
breakfast before bed to keep an early
morning from starting even earlier.
Remember, the college admissions
process involves more than
just test scores. Visit eLivingtoday.
com for more education tips and
information.
—Courtesy of Family Features
/WWW.QNS.COM
