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When we talk about college admission, the first thing that pops into your head is clearing standardized examinations like SAT and ACT. These exams are the most crucial part of your application to any esteemed college or educational institution and are treated as the baseline requirement for admission.

While many students strive to prepare for the ACT and SAT exams, only a few are able to secure perfect scores. So, if you hope to land a renowned Ivy League college, then luck will only take you so far.

In this article, we will take a look at the best ways to prepare for the ACT and SAT exams so that you can have a smoother path to a high score. Before getting into the details of working on ACT practice tests and SAT practice tests, let us take a look at what these exams are all about.

SAT Exam

It is a multiple-choice standardized test in many universities and colleges for undergraduate courses. This test measures the aptitude and preparedness of high school students when they apply for a college or university.

This test also follows a standard evaluation procedure that gives the universities objective data to measure the success of different applicants. Currently, it consists of an Evidence-Based Reading, Math and Writing section alongside an optional essay section. The test duration is three hours depending on whether you are taking the essay section or not.

ACT Exam

ACT is similar to SAT and often serves as its alternative. Most of the colleges require you to clear either one of the exams or both. It is always a good idea to clear both the exams, as it allows you to choose the result with the highest score.

The basic difference between the two exams is the style of problems and sections presented to you. ACT consists of Math, Reading, English, Science, and an optional Writing section. ACT’s duration is between three and four hours.

Remember, if you submit your SAT and ACT exam scores with your application, it will impact your chances of acceptance into the college. Of course, you will need higher scores for creating a positive impact.

“Do ACT practice tests help?”
“Do SAT practice tests help?”
“What is the best way to prepare for the ACT and SAT exams?”
“Should I look at online SAT practice questions?”
“How do I start practicing for these exams?”

The list of questions can go on and on if you do not have the right strategy.

In order to prepare for the ACT and SAT exams and clear them with high scores, you should adopt the following strategy:

• • Understand All the Details

Familiarize yourself with the existing test structure and the kinds of questions you are likely to face in the final exam. Not only will you be able to narrow down your study to the relevant material, but you will also save valuable time on the test day.

• • Make Reading a Habit

Whether you prefer studying from online resources or course books, reading is always going to be a game changer. If you want to clear the exams with flying colors, make reading a regular affair. Go through the previous years’ exam papers and take on as many practice tests as possible.

• • Practice Makes Perfect

The old but gold saying, “Until you are prepared to invest your time into full practice tests, you cannot expect to get good scores in either of the exams.”

Practice as much as possible. Test yourself in a timed environment and develop a steady pace to complete all the questions in time. Devote your time in analyzing your answers and understanding the points where you make mistakes.

• • Get Tutoring If Needed

Not comfortable studying on your own? Don’t worry. You can always opt for tutoring and taking preparation classes. Find the right tutor or study groups near you and enroll yourself for one. Having the right instructor can make a world of difference to your preparation and you can improve your skills at a faster pace with the help of tutors.

• • Work on Your Vocabulary

Another important thing to do when you prepare for the ACT and SAT exams is to work on your vocabulary.

Take practice tests, study different journals, read challenging books, and mark new words in articles. It really helps improve your chances of solving comprehension passages and increases your overall score.

• • Work on Improving your Memory

Both SAT and ACT exams have lists of formulas that are crucial to the Math section of the exam. Therefore, you must make conscious efforts to remember them by heart.

You should also do some exercises to improve your memorization as they can also help you in the essay and writing section of the exams.

• • Never Stop Studying

You probably have your phone with you 24/7, so why not use it to prepare for the ACT and SAT exams?

It’s not a crazy idea and you can improve your chances of getting a good score within your comfort zone. Instead of scrolling through countless posts on social media, use your device to study for these exams and make most of the time at your hands.

Here are two bonus points that you can follow to further your ACT and SAT exam preparation:

• • Create a Schedule

Once you have a clear idea about the areas you need the most help or improvement in, create a schedule to work on these areas in a planned manner. Specify what you want to achieve and the mode of learning that keeps you motivated.

Set realistic goals in your mind and then create action-oriented steps to achieve them. Also, fix a time frame to prepare for the ACT and SAT exams so that you can work on achieving your goals without fail.

• • Stop Cramming

Many students feel that cramming is a good idea. In fact, it is a waste of time and doesn’t help you retain valuable information when you need to.

Instead of cramming, you should prepare for the ACT and SAT exams using the tips mentioned above.

Start by spending just three hours to prepare for these exams and set up a routine to let the information sink in.

Conclusion
No matter how tough the ACT and SAT exams might seem to be, the right learning strategy will help you clear them with ease. All you need to do is create a solid plan to prepare for the ACT and SAT exams.

Even if you have other classes and tests to prepare for, keep the preparation for ACT and SAT examinations in your priority list and you will be a step closer to getting the results that you truly desire.

To know more about the best way to prepare for the ACT and SAT exams, click here.