The Art of Standardized Test Preparation - Official Sat Study Guide
One key to achieving a good score on a standardized test for college admissions is in understanding the format and process of the test you are taking. There is no need to enter the test blind, not knowing what to expect. Preparation materials in print and online will help you understand the standard format of the questions. Also, these preparation materials will give you tips for how to best answer questions about which you are unsure. As you study for the test, determine the areas where you may need extra help ahead of time and give yourself plenty of opportunity to take practice tests.
For SAT test preparation, start with The Official SAT Study Guide, available for purchase at CollegeBoard.com. The publishers of the SAT provide both a book and an online course to prepare you for taking the test. In addition, daily practice test questions are available at this site, free of charge.
This book, also found in most bookstores, comes complete with SAT test preparation questions, as well as a breakdown of study and test-taking tips in each subject area. Complete practice tests are available in the book and online. A four-month subscription term will allow you to access CollegeBoard.com from any computer with an internet connection.
There is also an online preparation program for the ACT. For a small yearly subscription fee, a single user can complete diagnostic tests and find study advice, as well as take practice tests made up of actual ACT questions. This program tracks your progress and helps you build a study path that is best suited to your skills and areas of need.
The publishers of the ACT also publish The Real ACT Prep Guide, a book that contains practice tests and strategies for each section of the test.
Premier tutoring and online programs are available at Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions.
The Princeton Review has links to preparation courses, books, and test preparation tutors. A variety of subscription programs are available, including live, online classes.
In addition, Barron’s TestPrep.com is a low-cost service that provides full-length exams with immediate feedback and full-explanations to answers.
Also, the Huntington Learning Center has been offering test preparation services since 1977.
At SAT ACT Online Preparation, you can register for one month or three months, and contains low-cost test preparation programs. This site includes a series of practice tests and strategies for taking tests.
Number2.com is a totally free test preparation site for both the ACT and the SAT that is rated highly, compared to many paid-service sites, according to a 2006 Consumer Reports review of college test preparation study sites.
At College Power Prep, you can find free, online vocabulary tools and test-taking tips and advice for both the SAT and the ACT.
Summary of Outbound Links:
SAT
This links to www.collegeboard.com, where both the book and online course subscription are offered for purchase. The College Board is the nonprofit organization that sponsors the SAT test.
ACT
This links to the ACT student site, where you can purchase the personal, online test program.
Kaplan
This links to Kaplan, a leading test preparation and admissions company. Kaplan is one of the highest rated programs, according to a 2006 Consumer Reports web-watch review.
Princeton Review
This links to the Princeton Review College Admissions Tests area. At this site, they have ACT/SAT links to online courses, by subscription, private tutors, and much more.
Barrons
This link goes to one of the lower-cost programs that is also rated fairly well by the Consumer Reports review.
Huntington Learning Center
The Huntington Learning Center link offers to help raise your scores and improve your grades. They teach test-taking skills and diagnose your strengths and weaknesses.
Next Step
This is the test preparation program accessed through Next Step Magazine.
Number2
This link advertises itself as the “only” free service, providing access to free, online test preparation services. Funded by sponsorships and licensing this site compares favorably to higher-paid services, such as the Princeton Review and Kaplan’s test preparation, according to the 2006 Consumer Reports review.
PowerPrep
This site is free and has many sources to help you study for the ACT and SAT tests. It does not appear to be endorsed by either The College Board or the ACT organization.
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