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Step Five: Addressing Concerns that might affect performance on the ACT or SAT
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About this Step
Aside from choosing a test, test date, and mode of preparation, what else is there? Plenty, actually! Tests aren’t taken in a vacuum, and students’ anxieties, and learning differences can all affect test performance. Additionally, students’ feelings about themselves and their life chances can get very wrapped up in standardized testing, in a manner that’s not necessarily healthy. Whether working one-on-one or with a group, we take these issues very seriously, and are prepared to help students across the spectrum achieve their goals. Our team of test prep experts is also available to answer any specific questions
You May Be Asking...
How do I overcome testing problems I keep having due to anxiety and my working memory issues?
Are there any time management strategies to help reduce my anxiety so I can focus better?
Absolutely. Making a loose plan for how to move through each section can help, provided you don’t get too focused on the clock. For example, you can plan to spend roughly nine minutes on each reading passage, but it’s a bad idea to allot exactly one minute for each question. Skipping difficult or confusing questions—and returning to them after you’ve completed all the more straightforward questions—can also sustain a sense of momentum and ensure that you’re picking up as many points as possible.
I keep making avoidable mistakes. Are there any strategies that can help me?
Yes! First, analyze the types of avoidable errors you’re making. What sections, and where in those sections, do they occur? What skills and problem types do they tend to pop up in? Once you’ve done this, you can start to articulate the thought process you use when you make these mistakes, and, with your tutor, develop strategies to avoid those pitfalls in the future.
I have a bad memory. Are there any strategies to help me memorize and learn the material?
Our tutors focus on experiential learning, putting the material in context and helping students identify their problem-solving processes. We rarely recommend rote memorization, preferring, for example, to teach students how to work out unfamiliar vocabulary from context, rather than drilling definitions. It can, however, be useful to make flash cards or complete online quizzes for key facts (i.e. grammar rules, geometry equations).
Are there any specific strategies I can learn that will help me avoid test traps, so I don’t keep making the same mistakes?
Your tutor will help you identify common question stems and the types of mistakes they can “push” you to make. When you miss a common question type, instead of just working out the correct answer, narrate what led you to the incorrect answer, and how to avoid it going forward. Writing this down—preferably by hand—can help it stick in your memory.
How do I gain confidence so I am mentally ready to rock the test?
I’m still so nervous. Are there any tricks or tips to help me feel more positive on test day?
Yes. Deep breathing and mindfulness exercises can help you focus and manage your anxiety. You’ll also work with your tutor to develop a pre-test routine that will help you feel comfortable and confident on the big day.
I’m a bad test taker. How do I gain enough confidence on test day?
Test-taking is a skill like any other, and it can be learned. Through practice, conversation, and introspection, you and your tutor will find a strategic approach that allows you to move efficiently and effectively through the test. A big part of that will be taking additional diagnostic exams, both to test and practice your skills, and to develop your physical and mental endurance.
Do you think getting good sleep really impacts my ability to learn all the test prep materials?
Absolutely! Adequate rest is vital for doing any intellectually demanding work, especially for teenagers. Fatigue slows you down and disrupts your focus. We work with students to ensure that they’re getting enough sleep and that they’re healthfully balancing test prep with their academic, extracurricular, and family lives.
How do I keep my endurance up so I am ready on test day?
I have so many other things to do, how do I give test prep the time it needs?
You only need to set aside 2 hours a week to prepare for the test. Consistency is key. Through sustained effort, you will gain momentum and watch your scores improve!
I have been preparing for so long, can I take some time off of studying a couple of weeks before the test?
In the final weeks before the test, your student’s tutor will ensure they are feeling confident and ready for test day. Often, this can mean tapering down tutoring sessions and assignments to focus on relaxation and mental preparation. The night/day before test day, encourage your student to relax and execute the pre-test routine they will have developed with their tutor. They have worked long and hard and will be ready come test day!
Should I still be studying the material the week before the test?
It may make sense to brush up on a few specific content areas in the week before the test. Instead, practice annotating a few reading passages and complete a few problem sets to keep your skills sharp and save your strength for test day.
I’m so nervous. What’s your best advice?
Just keep breathing. These tests are nerve-wracking and consequential, and the preparation process can get quite stressful. We emphasize stress management, focus, and relaxation with all our students to ensure both their wellbeing and their optimal performance.
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What should I do the night before? Should I study and cram?
We strongly discourage “cramming,” as you’re unlikely to retain the information, and the added stress may wind up working against you. The night before test day should be centered around rest, nutrition, and comforting routine. Our tutors work with each student to develop a unique “game plan” for the night before and morning of the exam.
