How to Prepare for SAT and ACT Exams to Get More Scores for Admission in American College
SAT and ACT are very important exams for admission to American colleges. They are taken so that the university can see how ready you are for college studies. These two tests test your reading, writing, and math comprehension. American universities often ask for scores from one of these tests, or you can give both.
1. What are SAT and ACT exams and how many sections each have?
SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test):
This test looks at your reading, writing, and math comprehension to see how quickly you understand difficult things.
Sections:
· Reading: Reading large paragraphs and answering questions.
· Writing and Language: Correcting grammar and improving sentences.
· Math: Calculation questions, such as algebra and geometry. Some sections use calculators, others don't.
· Total score: 1600 (800 for reading and writing, and 800 for math).
· Time: About 3 hours.
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ACT (American College Testing):
This test mostly looks at things you've learned in school, such as straightforward grammar and math questions. It also has a science section.
Sections:
· English: Grammar and putting sentences together correctly.
· Math: Questions on algebra, geometry, etc. There's a little more advanced math than the SAT. Calculators are allowed.
· Reading: Reading short paragraphs on various topics and answering questions.
· Science: It doesn't test whether you remember science formulas. It tests how well you understand the science information (graphs, tables) given.
· Writing (Optional Writing): Write an essay (this is optional, it has different scores).
· Total score: 36 (36 for each section, then averaged to get the total score).
· Time: About 2 hours 55 minutes (about 3 hours 30 minutes with the essay).
2. Major differences between SAT and ACT:
· Science section: The ACT has a science section, the SAT does not.
· Math: The SAT's math is a little harder, while the ACT's math is more like textbook math.
· Vocabulary: The SAT focuses more on understanding difficult vocabulary.
· Time: The ACT has more questions and less time, so you have to be quick.
3. How to prepare for the SAT and ACT exam to score high?
The most important thing to do well on these exams is to focus on your studies in school. In addition, here are some specific preparation tips:
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4. How to start preparing for SAT and ACT?
· Choose an exam: Read about both tests and see which one is best for you. You can take a free SAT and a free ACT test to see which you are better at.
· Set your score goals: Look at the average scores of the colleges you want to attend in previous years and set a goal for yourself.
· Create a study schedule: Choose an exam date and create a 3-6 month study schedule based on that. Set aside some time each day or week to study.
5. The Common preparation methods for the SAT and ACT:
Both the SAT and ACT are important tests to test your readiness for American colleges. With a good preparation plan and hard work, you can score well in them.
· Take a real practice test: This is the most important. The SAT and ACT have free practice tests on their websites. Khan Academy offers free SAT preparation.
· Take the practice test exactly like the real test: timed, in a quiet place, and without breaks. Check your answers and understand where you went wrong.
· Understand your mistakes: For questions you got wrong, look at why they were wrong: Did you not understand the point? Did you misunderstand the question? Or was there a lack of time?
· Identify your weaknesses and work harder on them.
· Improve your studies: English/Reading: Read as much as possible, such as difficult books, newspapers, etc. This will increase your reading speed and comprehension. Learn new words.
· Math: Master the basic principles of calculation. Solve difficult questions repeatedly.
· Science (ACT only): This is not a test of memorizing science facts, but a test of understanding the given science information (graphs, tables). Practice it well.
· Use good books: College Board's own book for the SAT. The Official ACT Prep Guide for the ACT.
· Time Management: These exams are timed. Remember how much time is allotted for each section. Keep a watch with you while practicing so that you don't lose time on the real exam. Do the easy questions first and the difficult ones later.
· Online or Classes: If you have difficulty studying on your own, you can take the help of an academy or tutor. There are also many online websites that help you.
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6. Special tips for getting high scores in SAT and ACT Exams:
· Answer every question (especially in ACT): In both SAT and ACT, your scores are not deducted for giving an incorrect answer. So, if there is no answer, be sure to answer by guessing.
· Eliminate wrong answers: If you do not know the correct answer, eliminate the answers that seem wrong, this will increase the chances of getting the correct answer.
· Skip difficult questions and move on: If a question is taking too long, skip it and move on. Come back to it at the end if there is time left. Each question is worth the same number of points.
· Read the question carefully: Always read the question in its entirety so that you know what is being asked. Mistakes are often made in a hurry.
· Be strong in your studies: Take your classes in school seriously and study everything deeply. Understand this. This is your biggest preparation.
· Stay calm: Don't worry on the day of the exam. Take deep breaths and think positively. Get a good night's sleep the night before and make sure to eat breakfast in the morning.
· Have your supplies ready: The night before the exam, prepare your roll number slip, ID card, pencils, eraser, calculator, and other essentials.
· Retake the test: Don't worry if your first score isn't good. Most people improve their scores by retaking the test.