Standardized test dates
SAT: Jan. 26, March 9, May 4, June 1. Information, www.sat.collegeboard.org.
ACT: Feb. 9, April 13, June 8. Information, www.act.org.
GRE (graduate school): Feb. 9. The computer-based version can be taken on a continuous basis throughout the year. Information: www.ets.org/gre.
LSAT (law school): Feb. 9, June 10, Oct. 5, Dec. 7. Information, www.lsac.org.
MCAT (medical school): Jan. 24, Jan. 26, March 23, April 4, April 26, April 27, May 11, May 18, May 23, May 30, June 20, July 2, July 13, July 25, July 26, Aug. 2, Aug. 3, Aug. 9, Aug. 15, Aug. 16, Aug. 22, Aug. 28, Sept. 7, Sept. 11, Sept. 12. Information, www.aamc.org.
The bad news is that standardized tests — an important part of the college and graduate school admissions process — are here to stay. The good news is that prospective students can improve their scores with a positive attitude and good preparation.
Understanding the tests and putting them in perspective can ease anxiety.
“With individual grades and curricula varying widely from school to school, admissions officers need a way to determine what you know and predict whether you’ll succeed at college. A standardized assessment is an important tool for comparing students from different educational experiences,” said Jenny Oren Krugman, vice president, Southern Region, of the College Board, which administers the SAT test.
Admission officers want students to succeed at their institutions, and “they know that the best predictor of college success is a student’s GPA and SAT scores combined. But the test is only one of many factors that colleges consider,” Krugman said.
The SAT and other standardized entrance exams are not IQ tests. They measure knowledge and skills — areas in which students can always improve.
"The SAT tests your knowledge of reading, writing and math — subjects that you have taken in school and will need in college. The more you know and can apply, the better you'll do," she said.
Here are some tips for taking standardized tests.
1. Prepare
“The best preparation for standardized tests is to take challenging, college preparatory courses in high school and study hard. That advice should be printed in 500-point type and underlined about 20 times,” Krugman said.
Georgia College Board data shows that students who took the recommended college prep core curricula scored 119 points higher, on average, on the SAT. Students who took AP or honors English and math courses scored 160 points higher on the English section and 209 points higher on the math section.
The College Board’s website (www.collegeboard.org) can help students create a more rigorous high school schedule, find colleges, prepare for the SAT and research financial aid options. Reading is great preparation for any standardized test. Instead of memorizing vocabulary words, read a daily newspaper or books and look up unfamiliar words.
2. Practice
“Players don’t walk into a football stadium without understanding the game and training for it. They’re building their muscles and strategies well ahead of game night; you should do the same,” Krugman said.
High school students should take the PSAT in 9th, 10th or 11th grade. Georgia students who took the PSAT scored 196 points higher on average when they took the SAT. Being familiar with the test format and directions, plus learning about your strengths and weaknesses, pays off.
“Students who take the SAT exam twice generally improve their scores. Take it in the spring of the junior year and, again in the fall of senior year, when you have more academics under your belt,” she said.
Prospective graduate students should take practice tests for the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations), the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) or the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test).
3. Know the test
More students are taking expensive SAT prep courses or hiring tutors, but neither is necessary and cramming doesn't help, Krugman said. Students can benefit by using the free test practice materials and tips on The College Board's SAT website (http://sat.collegeboard.org). All standardized tests offer similar free practice materials.
4. Have a strategy
“All answers are equal, but some are easier. Answer the sentence completion part first, because it takes less time,” Krugman said.
Skip difficult questions and go back to them. Know that you don’t have to memorize math formulas, just know how to use them. The formulas are provided in the test booklet.
“There’s no penalty for leaving an answer blank. If you are clueless, move on, but if you can eliminate one or two answers, take an educated guess,” she said.
Read questions fully before attempting to answer them. When you skip questions, make sure you also skip that part on the answer sheet.
When writing the essay portion of the SAT, follow the tips provided in the practice materials. Develop a point of view and create one or two fully developed examples.
5. Be ready on test day
Get a good night’s sleep, eat breakfast and get to the test site early. Bring your ID, test admission ticket and the appropriate materials. Breathe deeply and try to relax. See the test as a chance to show what you know, and remember that you can always take it again.
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