Be equipped. Gather all you need the night before the test. Take the admission ticket, at least two No. 2 pencils, an eraser, a calculator with fresh batteries (SAT tests only), and a picture identification – driver’s license, school picture I.D., current passport, etc. Also take a watch to help pace yourself. It should not be a watch that beeps.
Don’t cram. Get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast before the test. You have already prepared by reviewing the content and familiarizing yourself with the set up. Be rested, energized, and confident.
Dress in layers. You need to be comfortable to concentrate, and test rooms may be cold in summer or hot in winter.
Arrive early. Scope out the location of the test days before, so you know where it is. Ask someone reliable to drive you, so you don’t have to worry about parking. Leave lots of time to get to the site. If you’re early, you can get settled before the test starts.
Don’t spend too much time on any one question. Become familiar with the test directions. Every minute you spend reading directions takes away from time you can spend answering questions. Skip questions that you don’t know. You don’t have to answer every question correctly to score well. You can always return to questions if you finish before time is up for that section.
Guess carefully. On the SAT, you receive one point for each correct answer. Questions you skip do not count against your score, but a fraction of a point is subtracted for each wrong answer to multiple-choice questions. If you can eliminate one or two choices, a calculated guess can help your SAT scores. Use your test book for scratch work, to cross off answers you know are wrong, and to mark questions you did not answer so you can go back if time permits. On the ACT, there is no penalty for guessing. You should answer every question, even if you have to guess.
Keep track of where you are in a section. Answer all the questions that seem easy before you spend time on the more difficult ones. You get just as many points for easy questions as you do for hard. Questions of the same type are grouped together. Usually, the ones most people get right are the beginning of a section and they gradually get more difficult. Obvious choices early in a section may be correct. Obvious choices late in a section may be a trap.
Don’t try to figure which section is unscored. The SAT “equating” section is well camouflaged. On the ACT, experimental questions are often scattered throughout scored sections. Do your best on every question.
Be careful filling in answers. Learn how to navigate your answer sheet. Mark only one answer for multiple-choice questions, and be careful when filling in grids for math questions. Erase completely, and don’t make any extra marks on your answer sheet.
Relax. Confidence is the key. Concentrate on the positives, not the negatives. Remember, an admissions test is just one factor in the larger equation that gains you admission to college. Attitude and outlook are crucial to doing your best on any test.
Practice/Prepare.This free resource contains structured courses on SAT, ACT, and PSAT preparation.
