A successful surgeon carefully incises his patient. A world-renowned soccer player scores the final winning goal in the last four seconds of the game. A lawyer is elected into the House of Representatives, feeling accomplished as he fulfills his dream of becoming a congressman.
One thing that these people and every college-bound high school student have in common is that they all have had to overcome the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT. While the exams may seem like formidable enemies, it is important to keep in mind that they can be defeated.
Like many high school juniors and seniors, I approach the SAT with apprehension. I have often fretted and wondered what would happen if my scores disqualified me from acceptance to my universities of choice.
Luckily for students, the College Board, which produces and distributes the SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests, is presenting a new option for those who are applying to colleges beginning in March 2009.
In the past, when a student requested for the College Board to send his or her scores to any number of colleges, the scores from each time the student had taken the test were sent. However, after the College Board implements Score Choice, only the score of a student’s choice will be reported.
This is a beneficial privilege for all students. Previously, if someone bombed the SAT on the first try but improved the second time, colleges would see both scores. However, students often spend the first time taking a standardized test adjusting to the format, so the initial score may be skewed.
In preparation for test dates in the second semester, I have researched some study habits to help myself and other students tackle these daunting exams.
According to My-SAT.com, there are many mistakes students make when taking the treacherous test. Students often consider each test question to be equal. However, while the point value is equal for each test item, some questions are intentionally harder than others. It is best to skip questions which seem difficult as opposed to guessing and possibly losing points on an answer where the student cannot eliminate a single option.
The format of the SAT reasoning test is quite unique. The questions become progressively harder, which means that near the beginning of the test the seemingly obvious lettered option is usually the correct answer. However, as students move toward the end of the test, the apparent answer tends to be incorrect, as the test writers attempt to force students to use their critical thinking skills.
Since the SAT is a timed test, it is vital to keep a close eye on the clock. The early questions will be easier, and therefore less time should be allotted to such questions, which leaves more time for the tricky ones that will appear later.
By taking advantage of early standardized test options, such as the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), students increase their chance of doing well on the SAT or ACT tests. While some view the PSAT/NMSQT as superfluous, there is actually a direct correlation between the tests.
After the PSAT/NMSQT has been submitted and scored, it is given back to the taker with suggestions for improvement in the various sections. In addition to introducing students to the format of the SAT, this test provides students with tips for future exams.
The PSAT/NMSQT also unlocks several online resources to supply students with important college and scholarship information as well as study tools and practice questions from previous versions of the SAT.
Although the road after high school may appear difficult and stressful, the College Board’s Score Choice feature will help smooth some bumps and transform the road into an expressway.
