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To reach their goals on these potentially life-changing tests, students need a combination of personalized and active learning. 

We’ve always been told that practice makes perfect, but that’s not true. Perfect practice makes perfect. Without active practice, you’re not going to reach your goal. The same goes for preparing for college entrance exams such as the ACT or SAT.  

Most high schools aren’t required to offer exam-preparation courses, and ordering an ACT prep book from Amazon isn’t enough to achieve a quality score. When it’s time to take their college entrance exams, many students try to cram in all subject areas in a short amount of time. Without personalized, active learning, students hoping to get accepted into their dream schools might fall short. With the right mindset, long-term planning, and hard work, they can train for a high-stakes exam like it’s a marathon, not a sprint. 

Taking Ownership 

Some high school students struggle to prepare for entrance exams because they’re used to teachers telling them, “Read chapter four, then complete the five questions at the end of the chapter,” or, “Write a paper and include the following ideas.” For many of them, getting ready for the ACT or SAT is the first time they have autonomy over what they learn and, just as importantly, how they learn. 

Taking quality practice exams will familiarize students with the format of an exam, but learning the material is very different than developing the pacing and stamina they need to succeed on a timed test. High school students who want to go to college have to learn how to moderate themselves. Preparing for these challenging and potentially life-changing exams takes accountability and discipline to choose which activities they need to hone in on. One of the best things any ACT or SAT prep educator or program can do is to help students identify their weak spots, determine their goals, and plan accordingly. 

High-achieving students are sometimes surprised to find that they have weak spots at all, but the ACT or SAT are not barometers of whether or not you’re smart. They’re not IQ tests. Every student can improve their score on the ACT or SAT, but they have to put in focused practice.

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