Planning and Preparing for College

Top Five Tips for Preparing for College Entrance Exams

written in collaboration with Lucas Estafanous
 

1. Know Exactly What Your Accommodations Are

a. Visit Collegeboard.org for information about acquiring accommodations for college entrance exams.
b. Be aware of what the test setting will be – either alone with a proctor or in a room of
other students with a proctor. Review how to appropriately behave for the test setting. For example, these are the rules for the ACT test.
c. Take sample tests, pretending as if it is the real test (set up simulation if possible). Register for a Pre-ACT or SAT test for practice.
 

2. Make Sensory Connections to Material

How am I going to remember this? What tricks can I use to help me?
a. Visual/auditory stimuli (creating pictures, a song, or a comic strip are some suggestions)
b. Acronyms
c. Writing/Drawing material out by hand (making flashcards is a great solution)
 

3. Don’t Study Alone

a. Get someone else to guide you and keep you focused on studying (preferably an adult).
b. Have conversations with that person about the topic. Use memories of those conversations to reinforce material.
c. Ask for help on things you don’t understand.
 

4. Use Good Study Habits

a. Plan a schedule for studying, giving yourself plenty of time to cover all of the material. An appropriate schedule could take weeks or even months, depending on your study habits.
b. Start reviewing parts of your study material in small doses. As you complete a section, review it- then move on to another small section. After you complete going over each small section, go back to the beginning and review everything you have reviewed.
c. Allow brain breaks for yourself. Don’t expect to learn everything in one sitting.
 

5. Prepare for Test Day

a. Get a good night’s sleep before the test, and come prepared with the necessary supplies.
b. Do not spend too much time stuck on one question. Move on and if you have time you can go back later.
c. Do not rush. Read each question fully at least twice before moving on.
 
Additional Resources:

How to Prepare for Admission Tests
Taking College Entrance Exams
The Steps to Receive Test Accommodations – SAT