Educators: Preparation key to successful test taking

By: JENNIFER KABBANY - Staff Writer | Sunday, October 22, 2006 7:24 PM PDT ∞

From getting a good night's sleep to taking practice tests, the key to performing well on college entrance exams is largely based on all the big and little things students do to prepare, educators say.

"Be prepared," is the advice Tom Petrich, a counselor at Murrieta Valley High School, gives his students when they gear up to take the Scholastic Assessment Test or the American College Test.

Most colleges require students take either the SAT or ACT for admission.

On a big-picture scale, Petrich said he encourages students serious about attending college right out of high school to take Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate classes.

"The more rigorous their curriculum, the better they will be prepared to take the tests," he said.

Underscoring a rigorous high school class load, Petrich said tutoring designed to help students succeed on the tests ---- classes, online courses, books, computer CD-ROMs ---- can be very helpful.

Petrich, who also works at the Murrieta-based Success One offering ACT and SAT preparation, said often students come in to take the test not knowing there is a writing section or how long it is.

Two Web sites, www.collegeboard.com and www.actstudent.org, describe the SAT and ACT exams and offer test descriptions, study booklets, sample questions and other information, he said.

Specialized tutoring can also instruct students on how to best use the process of elimination for multiple-choice questions and special tips on how to best complete the writing portions, he said.

Lastly, don't forget the simple stuff, he said. Things such as getting a good night's sleep the night before the test, eating a hearty breakfast before the exam, arriving on time and having several No. 2 pencils and the proper identification can all go a long way to earning a good score, he said.

TEST PREP 101

Most colleges require students take either the Scholastic Assessment Test or the American College Test for admission. Here are a few tips for success on the exams:

n Get a good night sleep the night before the exam.

n Dress comfortably and in layers, as you don't know what the room temperature will be like.

n Read the directions for each section carefully.

n Pace yourself ---- don't spend too much time on a single passage or question.

n Review your work. If you finish a test before time is up, go back and check your work.

n Don't bring a cell phone.

n When working on the essay portion of the exam, read the entire assignment carefully and don't rush. Don't oversimplify your answer. There is nothing wrong with using "I" in the essay.

Sources: www.collegeboard.com and www.actstudent.org

Web sites that offer practice questions and tests on the ACT and SAT:

http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/index.html

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/prep_one.html

http://www.sat-preparation.co.il/

http://www.testprep.com/

http://www.testprepreview.com/sat_practice.htm

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