The college admissions process can be a daunting time, especially if you are planning on taking admissions exams. There are a wide array of standardized tests, based on the subjects you choose to pursue – the most important of them being SAT or ACT. Both SAT and ACT tests require reviewing high school topics and learning strategies that can help the student understand what is expected of them.  We have been preparing students to take standardised tests past five years and here are our top few tips.

 

  • Give yourself plenty of time

Set a test date that gives you at least 3-6 months to prepare, and if you are planning on taking both the SAT and ACT exams, we recommend giving yourself a month between each test date. The content is quite similar between each test, however, there will be test-specific content and question styles which you will need to be familiar with. 

 

  • Familiarise yourself with the details of the tests

The content of the tests is obviously important, however familiarising yourself with the test structure, the types of questions, and the instructions will improve your confidence and save important time on the day.
College Board provides the SAT test layout that you should familiarise yourself with.
Though the SAT & ACT test you on a similar set of skill sets, the test format of ACT is significantly different-View the ACT.org ACT 20-21 format.

 

  • Practice full-length tests

Use a timer and familiarise yourself with the length of the test, as this will help you learn how to pace yourself throughout the questions. At the end of your practice test, mark your answers and spend time going through any incorrect answers.

We have listed a few full-length practice tests available online, in addition to example essay titles and sample questions:

SAT Practice test 1            |     Practise Test 1 Answers
SAT Practice test 2           |     Practise Test 2 Answers

SAT Sample Essay
ACT Sample Essay

  • Read preparation books

In addition to online exam test material, there are also plenty of books and official preparation guides for both the ACT and SAT tests. You may find tips and resources which could come in very useful during your exam. In particular, pay attention to the recommended reading lists published by colleges, so that you are well versed in more challenging vocabulary.

 

  • Practice memorizing

Although the SAT exam will list some basic maths formulas, the ACT exam will expect you to work from your memory.  Memorizing the important formulas will ensure that you are well-prepared for the most common questions and it will save you time.

 

  • Invest in private tutoring

A specialist exam preparation and tutoring center will be able to offer you additional support and guidance. Whether you choose individual sessions or prefer the support of a study group, it will be possible to focus on your specific needs so that you can overcome challenging areas and achieve the best score possible. Even though plenty of explanatory material is available online, SAT and ACT are strategy-based exams and hence need a tutor to guide you through what is expected and how to get the best scores in the given time frame. 

 

Specialist exam preparation Dubai

As leading providers of exam preparation Dubai-wide, we are here to ensure your test scores work in your favor. Whether you are taking the popular SAT and ACT tests or the GMAT, GRE, or UCAT tests, we offer a variety of individual and hybrid test preparation courses. 

To find out how we can guide you through college testing or come to the institute and take a FREE PSAT, SAT, or ACT diagnostic test and let our professional tutors highlight your areas of improvement and key areas that can be developed so you can ace the test.