| In this article, I discuss the two families of standardized | | | | For years now, there has been a lot of discussion |
| tests: the PSAT/SAT offered by College Board and | | | | about whether preparing for standardized tests does |
| the PLAN/ACT offered by American College Testing. | | | | any good. In our opinion, there is no question that it |
| While an increasing number of colleges and universities | | | | does. As a matter of fact, the greatest increases in |
| are moving away from required testing (more than | | | | scores with the SAT and the ACT usually come to |
| 800 according to FairTest, The National Center for Fair | | | | students who start out with the lowest scores. That is, |
| and Open Testing), the vast majority of schools still | | | | the higher the score, the less room there is for |
| require either the SAT or ACT. | | | | improvement; the lower the score the more of a |
| WHAT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PEOPLE LOOK | | | | chance there is for improvement. |
| FOR IN APPLICATIONS | | | | That being said, there are a number of ways to |
| In general, colleges look at three sources of information | | | | prepare for tests including: |
| as they make their admissions decisions. The first is | | | | 1. SAT/ACT PREPARATION BOOKS are |
| your academic record; that is, what courses you have | | | | inexpensive, convenient and usually contain much of |
| taken freshman through senior years (including how | | | | the information you need. However, it takes a very |
| many Honors and AP courses), and what kinds of | | | | motivated student to stick with working from a book. |
| grades you achieved in those classes. | | | | And without feedback from someone who knows |
| A second area that college admissions officers look at | | | | these tests, students often make the same mistakes |
| is who you are as a person. They want to know what | | | | over and over. |
| you do when you are not in class, what your interests | | | | 2. SAT/ACT COMPUTER SOFTWARE programs |
| and passions are, and if you have special qualities or | | | | for test preparation are also available and tend to be |
| talents? They are also interested in what you say | | | | inexpensive, convenient, and for those who are |
| about yourself in the essays you write. | | | | computer savvy, easy to work with. Once again, high |
| The third area that colleges are concerned about is | | | | motivation is needed to stick with the program, so if |
| the test scores you receive on the SAT and/or ACT. | | | | you aren't a self-starter computer programs may not |
| Standardized tests are thought to be a kind of leveling | | | | do the trick. |
| instrument in evaluating students from different schools, | | | | 3. SAT/ACT TEST PREPARATION COURSES AT |
| different regions and different personal circumstances, | | | | SCHOOLS are another resource. Some are as short |
| although many would say that these tests favor | | | | as a day or a weekend, while others may last |
| students who have more privileged backgrounds. | | | | throughout an entire semester. Test prep at schools is |
| THE PSAT/SAT FAMILY | | | | usually free and convenient. However, the quality of |
| What is the PSAT? | | | | the preparation varies, depending on the knowledge |
| The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) is a | | | | and skill of the test tutor. |
| multiple-choice test comprised of three sections, Critical | | | | 4. COMMERCIAL SAT/ACT PREPARATION |
| Reading, Math and Writing Skills, that is offered every | | | | COURSES from the likes of Princeton Review and |
| October. Each of the sections is scored on a scale | | | | Stanley Kaplan are often the resource of choice by |
| from 20-80 points, with the total of all three sections | | | | students. The advantages are that they have a |
| ranging from 60-240. | | | | predictable schedule, they tend to keep up with testing |
| Some high school sophomores and most juniors take | | | | trends, and the classes are small. On the other hand, |
| the PSAT. Top scores on the PSAT may qualify a | | | | they can be very expensive and time consuming. |
| few high school juniors for scholarships from the | | | | More importantly, since the curriculum is fixed, you may |
| National Merit Scholarship Corporation and some | | | | spend the same amount of time in areas in which you |
| colleges. In addition, the PSAT is seen as a rough | | | | don't need improvement as you spend in areas where |
| predictor of how a student might score on the SAT. In | | | | you need a lot. |
| reality, there are no negative consequences for taking | | | | 5. INTERNET TEST PREPARATION RESOURCES |
| the PSAT, but the PSAT does not affect your college | | | | FOR THE SAT AND ACT are becoming increasingly |
| admissions. | | | | popular. Usually, they don't cost anything. Often college |
| What is the SAT? | | | | professors and graduate students organize the |
| The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is also a | | | | preparation materials, but it takes a lot of self discipline |
| multiple-choice test comprised of Critical Reading, Math | | | | to keep at it. |
| and Writing sections that is offered seven times a | | | | 6. INDIVIDUAL SAT/ACT TUTORING is a another |
| year, in October, November, December, January, | | | | option. This type of help tends to be very expensive, |
| March, May, and June. Every test also includes a | | | | as much as $200 per hour. The quality totally depends |
| 25-minute experimental section that doesn't count. For | | | | upon the knowledge and skill of the tutor, which is |
| each section, a student can score from a possible low | | | | sometimes difficult to assess. The advantage, of |
| of 200 points to a high of 800 points. The highest | | | | course, is that if you get the right tutor, he/she focuses |
| possible score for all three sections is 2400. | | | | on your deficiencies, helps you know how to perform |
| THE PLAN/ACT FAMILY | | | | at your best on the tests, which can lead to your |
| What is the PLAN? | | | | significantly raising your scores. |
| Typically administered fall of a student's sophomore | | | | A May 20th, 2009 Wall Street Journal article declared, |
| year, the PLAN is the "pre-ACT." The PLAN structure | | | | "...the only effective method to prepare for these |
| is slightly different from the PSAT in that it is | | | | admission tests is to study with a private tutor. While |
| comprised of 4 subject areas, English, Math, Reading, | | | | tutors typically cost more than a class or book, their |
| and Science. Test takers may score anywhere from 1 | | | | expertise and personal catering to each student |
| to 32. | | | | provides a real advantage and will result in higher |
| What is the ACT? | | | | scores." |
| ACT, (an abbreviation for American College Testing) is | | | | I am not endorsing any particular method, only providing |
| another standardized college admissions test that is | | | | you with what the options are. I leave it up to you and |
| accepted equally by college admissions offices. | | | | your parents to determine which option is best for you. |
| The ACT is comprised of four tests: English, Math, | | | | Like it or not, standardized testing is probably going to |
| Reading, and Science and there is also an optional | | | | be a part of college admissions for some time to |
| writing test. A total composite score is an average of | | | | come. What you need to do is prepare for it in such a |
| all four tests and ranges from 1 to 36. The Writing | | | | way that you can get the most out of a test that you |
| scores ranges from 2 to 12. | | | | can. |
| TO PREPARE FOR TESTS OR NOT? | | | | |