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How do you study for national tests?

I am a 16-year-old high school senior in Arkansas. I have a good study routine when it comes to studying for exams for classes, but for tests such as the ACT, SAT, and AP exams, I have found it difficult to study for them. I am planning on majoring in Pre-Med and will have to take challenging standardized tests such as the MCAT, so I would like to build solid study habits early on. What advice do you have for how to study for challenging national tests?

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Jean’s Answer

Great job on starting your career journey! Preparing for standardized tests is different from regular exams. Consider hiring a test prep tutor to help you understand how these tests work. Also, try taking practice exams available on many websites to see what to expect. Best of luck!
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Karin’s Answer

Hi Brianna,

Standardized tests, especially if it feels like your whole future rides on them, are scary. But, it is well documented what to expect. You can find a wealth of information including study guides, flash cards, practice tests etc online. Also, the tests can be taken several times should you really have a bad day.

I would recommend that you look up the structure of the test you plan to take, the material that will be tested and the question types. For sections on math and science, it will give you the scope of what's going to be tested. For reading and writing sections, it's a bit more difficult to "study". On the plus side, reading sections test your comprehension and logical thinking. There is nothing to memorize.

A bit of googling will also lead you to lots of businesses and tutors that promise to improve your test results. I am not advocating for or against paying for these services, but many of them also have a wealth of free useful information and practice tests online.

Some test prep courses and information:
https://www.khanacademy.org/lohp/parent
https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/v2-sat-math
https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat-reading-and-writing?lang=en
https://www.kaptest.com/study/mcat/whats-tested-on-the-mcat-2
https://www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/act-and-sat
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/free-act-test-prep.html
https://www.prepscholar.com/
https://www.mometrix.com/academy/mcat-practice-test/

I hope this helps! All the best to you!

KP

Karin recommends the following next steps:

https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/act-exam-sections-and-structure.html
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/whats-on-the-test/structure
https://www.medschoolcoach.com/mcat-sections/
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Mahroo’s Answer

Hi Brianna,

I'm thrilled to see you chasing your dreams and planning for your future. I'm here to help you along the way.

Standardized tests like the SAT and MCAT check skills such as reading comprehension, problem-solving, and math. They also test how well you handle different formats and question types. To get ready, use official study guides like the SAT Official Guide and practice tests. These will help you understand the test format, which is different from regular school tests. Focus on your weak areas and practice regularly.

Set small, achievable goals and celebrate each success. Staying healthy is key to keeping your focus and well-being strong.

Here are some helpful links:

Khan Academy Parent Resources
Khan Academy SAT Math Practice
Khan Academy SAT Reading and Writing Practice
Kaplan MCAT Test Overview

You're planning ahead and showing great maturity. Best of luck!
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Yoav’s Answer

It is incredibly thoughtful and forward-thinking of you to be building solid study habits now, especially with your sights set on Pre-Med and the MCAT; that dedication to planning is a major asset and shows great maturity. The key difference between studying for class exams and national standardized tests is that the latter primarily assesses your test-taking skills and your ability to perform under pressure, rather than just raw content knowledge, so your study approach should shift towards strategy and endurance. You should begin by prioritizing diagnostic practice tests under strict timed conditions to accurately identify your specific weak areas and understand the structure, pacing, and common traps of the exams. Once you have a clear picture of where you stand, focus your content review exclusively on those challenging subjects, but dedicate the majority of your time to working through official practice materials and simulating the full test environment regularly, because building the mental and physical stamina to sustain focus through a long, multi-section test is just as important as knowing the material. Remember that your goal is to master the format itself, not just the individual subjects, and you are already on the right path by seeking guidance on this now. You possess the discipline and focus to master these challenging tests, and I wish you the very best of luck in your preparation.
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