Anyone can become a successful test-taker by spending the time to prepare for a given standardized test. At the end of the day, high scores are not about innate ability - you will earn them by mastering the subject matter and, perhaps more importantly, by familiarizing yourself with the test format.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: The countdown until your test date
Here's How:
- Start the Countdown: As soon as your test date is set, calculate the number of days you have to prepare.
- Diagnose Yourself: At the first available opportunity, take a practice or "diagnostic" test. You may be able to find a practice test on the Internet or in test prep books that are available in libraries and bookstores. The practice test should replicate the test format and material, and ideally it should be published by the designers of the actual test.
- List Problem Areas: Using the practice test, assess your current level to get an idea of how you need to prepare before the test. Which subjects do you need to review? Which question types boggle your mind? Are you really slow in some sections? List the areas on which you need to seriously focus, as well as those that need touching up. Rank your problem areas so that you can see where you need the most work.
- Commit to Daily Test Prep: Compare the time you have with the amount of preparation you need. Set a realistic daily target for test preparation and stick to it, whether your daily test prep goal is 15 minutes or a few hours. Try to schedule a time for working on each problem area. You will improve your scores through consistent practice, not through sporadic episodes of cramming.
- Learn How the Test Works: As you prepare for your test day-by-day, your first focus should be on understanding the test format and making sure that you are comfortable with the types of questions that you will encounter. This will direct you to the best way to study: can you succeed by simply memorizing the material, or will you need to be able to apply it? One of the most important factors in your score will be understanding how the test works.
- Conquer Problem Areas: Next, spend your daily test prep time on conquering your list of problem areas. Start by strengthening your weakest areas first, and look for lessons and practice questions that allow you to target them in the way that they will appear on the test. Don't be disheartened or overwhelmed - small daily practice will bring you up to par sooner than you think.
- Check Progress With Practice Tests: Take practice tests at regular intervals throughout your preparation. Check for improvement in your scores, and revise your study schedule if necessary.
- Be Ready to Strategize and Pace Yourself: As the test date approaches, make sure that you are ready to pace yourself throughout the time you will have for each section of the test. Also be sure to understand the method of scoring, such as whether guessing is penalized and whether you can respond to an essay question in outline format.
- Read my Test Day Tips: Make the most of the hours directly before and during the test by preparing what you need to bring and learning how to get into a confident, productive groove once the test begins.
Tips:
- Set clear priorities for your studies so that you will get the maximum score increase in the time you have.
- Don't miss test prep for a single day. You may not always fulfill your daily goal, but spending even five minutes on a practice problem is better than breaking your routine.
- Don't underestimate the importance of understanding your test's format and scoring - this is key information that will help you strategize to maximize your score. High scores often go to students who simply know how to take the test!
What You Need:
- Daily time for test prep
- Practice/diagnostic tests
- Lessons and practice problems