Standardized testing: roadblocks in the lives of various students. Tests such as the SAT and ACT determine their skills in mathematics and literary techniques. As students prepare for these tests, it’s easy to be overwhelmed, struggling to comprehend the topics necessary to perform well. However, this guide will provide key steps to help you navigate your testing journey.

   The SAT and ACT are standardized tests used to gauge a student’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills. To do this, students must display their mastery of evaluating large literary texts, solving difficult math problems, and formulating complex responses to display proper understanding and academic readiness. However, this is no easy task. The diverse subject matter often poses a challenging and exhausting experience to test-takers. 

   Jacqian Stewart (12), a senior who prepared for the SAT, explained, “You have to make sure to determine what you are best at and try to put less time into it.” As the topics may seem overwhelming, Stewart pushed students to hone in on their weaknesses, as their strengths will need less time investment to have a strong performance. Stewart advised students to “take practice tests beforehand and try to find out what sections you were struggling with the most.” As the standardized tests require knowledge of an array of subjects, it is encouraged to ration out your time into harder subject material to have a better performance overall. “It helped me organize my time into the things I was worse at to try to get a higher score,” he shared. Zachary Halvorson (12), an ACT taker, similarly discussed how “important it is to work on your fundamentals. If you don’t have the basics down, it’s hard for you to succeed.” Without a concrete understanding of the basic information that forms the foundation of other skills, students struggle to move forward because they cannot fully comprehend the material. “I just recommend careful review of the basic material during the test . . . I remember being so confused during my practice test about some of the basic material I had learned a long time ago. Just a quick review goes a long way,” Halvorson explained. As the SAT and ACT hope to test students on understanding subjects throughout their high school career, it’s advised for students to look back and refine their former skills. “You already learned the information before, so it’s easy to soak up the information again . . . so don’t be worried if you may have a lot of information to review,” Halvorson reassured.

   Standardized tests have been a worrisome obstacle for many students; The subject material is often frustrating and overwhelming. Although these tests may cause students to stress about their performance, key time management and study skills enable every student to succeed. Halverson reminded students, “This is all possible, and it isn’t the end of the world even if we mess up. Everyone can do good with enough practice and determination.”