Test Preparation

Preparing for a standardized test such as the SAT, ACT, GMAT, or GRE requires a slightly different skill set than preparing for a classroom test. A student taking an exam for a class knows what material the class has covered and what the teacher has emphasized. The class may have been provided a guide detailing what will be on the test and may spend one or more periods reviewing the material before exam day. The student can also ask the teacher for help directly.

A student taking a standardized test, however, may know the general categories of the test questions, but does not know which material specifically will appear on the test, and cannot ask questions of the person or people who created the test. Thus, in order to prepare for a standardized test, the student must rely on information about what has been on the test in the past and on practice materials made available by the test companies, and may need to make plans to review these materials without the aid of a teacher. For many standardized tests, there are also preparatory classes and materials created by third parties, which many students find useful.

Core Skills & Competencies

The most important skills for success on a standardized test are the ability to plan, the ability to focus, and the ability to methodically work through the available test preparation materials. The amount of time a student has to prepare for the test will depend upon the circumstances. It will also depend upon whether the student does better with a lot of time or a bit less. A student may study all the different types of math, then the verbal portions of the test, then the writing portions, or mix it up and do a bit each time. The important thing is for the student to make a plan that considers his or her personality, needs, and other commitments, then stick to the plan.

The ability to assess materials is another important core skill for those preparing for a standardized test. There are many different publishers for test preparation materials. The materials take the form of books, flash cards, and sample tests. One way to get a feel for the materials is to go to the website of the testing organization and take a look at the free materials they have on their site. Often the instructions for each section are included, so the student can become comfortable with what will be expected. These sites often also have samples of each type of problem, as well as a brief overview of the test.

Some of the test preparation materials include content for the entire test. Some have content for specific topics, while still others have content for one section of a topic. Those who have not yet taken the test may not know which will work best for them until they take a look at the materials or take a sample test and evaluate their readiness.

Many testing companies offer the opportunity to take a free practice test. It can be helpful for a student to take this test before selecting test prep materials, although some may prefer to start preparing before taking the sample test. The sample test should be taken under conditions that closely match the conditions on test day. The student should track the time it takes to complete the test, use only the materials that will be available during the actual test, and take breaks only at the intervals allowed

Students who have made a plan, selected materials, and are working the plan but are not showing improvement may need the assistance of a test prep class or tutor. Some prep classes are online. Some are in person. Many people do well with a prep class, while others feel that one-on-one attention better meets their needs. If time allows, a student may try a prep class and then move on to private tutoring if necessary. If time is tight, even a single session with a tutor who can work with the student on problem areas may be helpful.

Research & Theory

Research shows that those who practice for a test earn better scores on the actual test. The closer the conditions during the practice test are to those during the actual test, the better the outcome on test day. This positive relationship between preparation and scores is due to the fact that a student who has prepared will be both more comfortable on test day and more familiar with the content.

Even students who are generally successful in academics can benefit from preparing for standardized tests. The format of the test, the types of questions that are asked, and the type of information given in each problem do not vary much from year to year. The student may not know how many of each type of question will be on the test when he or she takes it, but a greater familiarity with each type of question allows the test-taker to focus on finding the answer rather than figuring out what the question is asking. Taking a look at the essay prompts and practicing writing the essay under test conditions can also be beneficial.

Advanced Placement (AP) exams are another form of standardized tests. Each AP exam has a study guide that covers all of the material for that course. It is a good idea to start early with the AP study guide, using it throughout the semester to help with the course material, rather than waiting until right before the test to begin going through the material and prepping. Since the textbooks are college level and the material may not relate to other courses the student has taken, using the prep guide during the semester will help the student to get the most out of the class, with the bonus of preparing for the AP exam.

For most people, the price difference between online classes, group prep classes, and a private prep tutor weigh heavily in the decision of which one to use. Some guidance counselors advise using a combination of the methods in a mix that is cost effective. The online classes are usually least expensive; however, they do not meet in person and they do not provide an opportunity for in-depth analysis and help. Group prep classes have slightly more opportunity for individual feedback and focus on areas that need work.

A good approach is to take the sample test and use the materials on the testing company websites while taking a group prep class. Once the student has identified the areas that are the most problematic and has done his or her best to master these areas without help, a private tutor to focus on those areas may be well worth the money.

The more time a student puts into test prep, the better his or her scores usually are—as long as the preparation time is focused on becoming familiar with the instructions, layout, and content of the actual test.

Bibliography

"AP Students." College Board. College Board, n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2015.

"ETS GRE for Test Takers." ETS. Educ. Testing Services, n.d. Web. 29 Dec. 2014.

"PSAT/NMSQT Preparation." College Board. College Board, n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2015.

"SAT Practice—Prepare with Official SAT Test Prep Questions." College Board. College Board, n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2015.

"The GMAT Exam." Official Website of the GMAT. Graduate Management Admission Council, n.d. Web. 2 Jan. 2015.

"The LSAT." LSAC. Law School Admission Council, n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2015.