FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM APRIL 8, 2021 • COLLEGE GUIDE • THE QUEENS COURIER 31
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 oft entimes 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 fl exibility 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 refi ne 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 fi nd studying on your own diffi -
cult 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 off er aft er-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
identifi cation, 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
college guide
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