(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); This thread will be for tips and strategies for mastering tests and quizzes in school as well as college board tests such as the ACT, SAT, and PSAT.

First... here are my scores:

GPA: 3.9
ACT: 24
SAT:N/A
PSAT: 154 (Index score)

I am a junior in high school and have prepared for the majority of my tests. Even little preparation for tests can aid you in the future as well as improve you overall scores. Here are some of my tips!

Test Preparation

*Learn the materials This may seem completely obvious. However, when regarding on usual school tests, I have noticed that tests regarding history and science have tiny details in text books, workbooks, etc. are usually on the test. These test are usually to test your knowledge of the subject and in order for you to fully understand it, you must know every detail that cumulates into the whole picture. For college board tests, it would help to review the areas in which they test on.

*Practice tests Primarily for college board tests, practice test can be found provided by the test administration. These can be found on the tests websites or other college planning websites. Practice does make perfect and getting accustomed to the types of questions on the test will help prepare you for the real deal.

*Note taking Study materials are the keys to passing. Good notes taken, consist of: unknown information, important details, important names, dates, ideas, or anything else that you see as key. Although this may contradict previous point, knowing the big pieces of information is just as important as knowing the smallest detail. Use highlighters, white out, underline words, circle, draw arrows, or even illustrate pictures that aid your understanding of the subject. This is the key to the door of success. If it helps your learn or even help you remember until the test is over, do it. It will be worth your while.

*Mental preparation "I think I can. I think I can. I think I can." This may seem like a silly, childish quote; however, thinking that you WILL do well on a test will usually end out in your favor. Confidence is a huge advantage when regarding test taking. You do not want to be overconfident to the point of arrogance but if you know the material, be confident that you will succeed. My uncle graduated college with a doctorate degree and his favorite quote was, "Can't never could,". Apparently, that quote helped him succeed.

*Supply preparation Make sure you have every necessary item that will help you do well on a test. Whether it be a calculator, pencil, pen, eraser, scratch paper, and even gum if it helps you concentrate. Not only do you need to equip yourself mentally, but physically as well. Equip yourself with items that will not only improve your confidence, but assist your scores. I suggest if you get stressed out by tests to bring a stress ball with you. It seems like a silly idea, but it will improve your attitude and confidence.


Test Taking Tips

*Pace yourself Right before the test begins, make sure you know the amount of time you have to take the test and know the number of questions of the test or section of the test. If you have 60 minutes to take a test and it's a 50 question test, you know that you have a little over a minute to solve each question. If you see that one question is taking more time than it should, skip it and return to it. Rather you miss that one question than all the other ones you missed out on answering. One useful pacing strategy I use is, if it is a multiple choice test, I will bubble the last 5 randomly if I know I am nearing the end of the time limit. This allows me a chance of getting them right rather than missing them for having no answer.

*Stay focused When the test begins, tune out any distractions. Whether it be pen clicking of another student, gum smacking, clock ticking, or anything else that can distract you from the question. It may help to put your hand over your ears if that is the case. It may seem odd but it will help if you are prone to distractions easily. Also, keep your mind on the prize! Do not get your mind stuck on something else besides the test. All outside distractions should be in the back of your mind if you want to succeed.

*Relax The last thing you want to do is stress out over a test. I have learned that if you stress yourself out when taking a test, you're more prone to making irrational choices like guessing or not reading the question fully. We have all been in these situations and trust me, I have the grades to prove that stressing DOES NOT help. If you just stay relaxed and chill the whole time, even if you know only some of the material, you will do better than you would if you were to become stressful during the test. Take a little squeeze of that stress ball to help!
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I hope at least one thing I have written in this thread will help you with future tests. I used to be the worst test taker. I would even get sick during tests from anxiety but I hae learned not only to overcome, but succeed with higher scores as well!


If you have any tips or strategies when regarding to taking tests, please feel free to post them below as well as your scores to help prove your point.

Thanks for reading!

My weighted GPA for College Apps : 3.38
My ACT scores:
- Cumulative : 29
- Math : 29
- English/Writing: 28

As a senior who has taken the ACT I can say taking pretests and learning how a majority of the answers work is incredibly helpful. Time Management can be a large issue for the Reading and Science sections as they kill on time. The math section is pretty straightforward, helps that it is multiple choice. The writing section is usually more argumentative than anything.

For anyone looking into college I advise finding out what are the averages to get into the schools you want to go to, and to not forget that for a majority of schools extracurriculiars look very good.

EDIT:
Forgot to mention that class schedule is another issue, basically what classes you've taken, are they significant to your major, are they challenging, etc...

I'm A Sophomore and I Took The PLAN and My Scores Were:
Composite:19
Math:21
Science:21
English:17
Reading:15
Estimated ACT Score:21-24

Is This Good?

I've never understood why anybody 'higher up' would take exams seriously; they're a test for memory, and everything you learn you'll soon forget. Beyond that they tell you nothing about the person at hand.

I disagree. The writing section is fairly accurate as you can't just prepare for it. Mathematics will matter if math is in your major. Science and reading are comprehension tests.

Now for plain tests I get what you're saying, but I still retain from information from past classes. For my APUSH class I still remember the majority of details, just missing some dates. Math I'm using old mathematics now. Etc...

---------- Post added at 10:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:43 PM ----------


I'm confused... how is your estimated ACT Accumulative 21-24 when your highest score for a given section was 21. Also, it depends which school you want to attend.

It's 21-24 because my composite was 19

Where do you live? Normally all that matters is your composite, english/writing, and math scores.