Prepping for college – and entrance exams!
6 APRIL 2015 | JUDY HUBBARD
One of the most common questions we hear is: “When should my child start prepping for college – and entrance exams?” The short answer is that he or she has been doing that since entering first grade.
It began with learning how to read and then learning simple math. Year after year, the reading became more advanced; same with the math, and then science was added. And as each bit of information becomes a larger “byte” of knowledge, students inch progressively closer to college.
Preparing for the ACT or SAT is not a sprint. It is instead a marathon that can begin as early as desired, but not later than the summer after sophomore year. Students should begin with a practice ACT or SAT test, then from that point, they will develop a baseline, which indicates the type of additional instruction they may need to improve.
Summers are ideal times to focus on standardized test preparation due to the absence of distractions from a full course load, work, sports teams, and regular school activities. The summer break allows students to make the most of their time, with their minds clear of other academic demands.
As with everything we do in life, preparation is the key. Maintaining excellent grades and performing well on the ACT or SAT, are no different. Standardized testing though is the most intense (and the most dreaded). Performance on the ACT or SAT can mean the difference between acceptance to one’s first choice or to a top-tier school – or settling for something less. This is where hard work and test preparation come into play! And it pays to begin earlier
Two areas of focus for freshman year are grades and the student’s college resume, which reflects the kinds of courses he or she elects to take, extracurricular activities both in and outside of school, and how well they balance their lives in between. Earning excellent grades early in high school is particularly important, as this is the beginning of the student’s Grade Point Average (GPA). After a student has established his or her GPA baseline and each year thereafter, it becomes increasingly difficult to raise it.
Prepping for College: Five Tips for ACT/SAT Preparation
1. Don’t wait: begin developing your resume for college.
2. Take a Practice ACT or SAT test no later than the summer after your Sophomore year in high school to get a baseline of your strengths and weaknesses.
3. Use the summer as your main prep time. There are the least distractions and time constraints during the summer.
4. Research schools in which you are interested and examine their student profile to see if your resume provides a possible match.
5. Practice, Practice, Practice your testing skills by building your vocabulary, working on your reading speed, and sharpening your math skills – even 30 minutes a day will be hugely beneficial in helping you to achieve your long-term goal.
Prepping for College: Schedule Your Student’s ACT/SAT Prep Now
For more information about ACT/SAT prep, contact one of our two Learning Lab locations, or fill out the form below!
Learning Lab Brentwood
5500 Maryland Way, Suite 110
Brentwood, TN 37027
615-377-2929
Learning Lab Nashville
2416 21st Avenue South, Suite 100
Nashville, TN 37212
615-321-7272