In recent years, the American school system has become more focused than ever on test scores in order to monitor students’ progress. While tests can never truly measure a person’s capabilities or worth, they’re definitely not going away anytime soon. In fact, after graduation, many employers will often administer tests to prospective employees to measure their strengths and weaknesses. Check out these effective test prep tips on how to be the best student and test taker you can be. It’s easier than you think!
Test Prep Tip 1: Plan, Don’t Cram
If you’re taking a test that covers material from a whole unit, or even a whole semester, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. It can be even worse for the ACT. Trying to tackle everything the night before the test will make you more likely to get confused and forget smaller details that can be crucial. Instead, create a study guide template to fill over the course of the unit or semester, or make flashcards with important vocabulary words. Writing down or typing what you need to know is a great tool to help you remember key ideas, and when you do it over a longer period of time, you have more opportunities to ask questions if you don’t understand something.
Test Prep Tip 2: Get Together with Friends
Planning a study group with your classmates is a great way to go over material in a relaxed and low-pressure setting. Friends can help to quiz you on important points and help you fill in the blanks for any concepts you may not have been too clear on. However, when forming a study group, make sure your friends are ready to get down to business and not just socialize! At worst, check in with the study tubers on YouTube to maximize focus.
Test Prep Tip 3: Rest, Relax, Rehydrate
By the time the night before a test rolls around, you should only need to briefly look over your notes for five or ten minutes. Anything more is likely to stress you out instead of helping you. Instead, make sure you relax and get plenty of sleep the night before. Remind yourself that you’ve studied hard and done all you can to prepare. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water too, so you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to conquer the world!