I'm really bad at standardized tests, how do I prepare for it?

Test Preparation
1

Okay, going to private school all my life, they would give us standardized test almost every year. I’m not sure if public school does it, but I’ve been doing it since the 2nd grade all the way to 9th.

The thing about these tests is that I always thought, “Since this won’t actually show up in my report card, I don’t have to try.” Though it hasn’t effected my grades since, I’ve developed a hatred for the tests. I would just fill in random answers and wait until the next section. The only section I’d actually try is the math, mainly cause they are straight forward, rather the reading comprehension which you have to read, and I start getting anxious, and there’s this voice in my head telling me to go back because I’m probably gonna forget everything I read. So what I’ve been doing is, instead of reading the passage, I would just fill in random answers. When the test results mailed home, I didn’t really care because it didn’t affect my report card, which my mom will see. haha.

But now I’m in high school. and although those past tests didn’t affect my grades, the SAT or ACT will affect my chances in getting into college. I recently took one this year as a 9th grader, and I too did not try. I often zone off because who wants to test for 2 hours straight? I don’t have ADD or anything, I just choose not to.

In conclusion how does one prepare for something like this? How do you stay awake through the whole thing? Since I’m taking the redesigned SAT, I haven’t been studying the vocabulary, mainly because the fill in the blank will no longer be on there. But I will continue to study anyway, to improve my essay writing. So I’m going to ask again, how do I prepare for it?

Any advice will be appreciated! Thanks. :slight_smile:

2

No one wants to be tested for hours. There are lots of things in life people don’t enjoy but do anyway (can you say taxes?). Part of growing up is facing those things you don’t want to do and doing them to the best of your ability. You say “I just choose not to”. Work on changing that to “I just choose to”. You prepare the same way everyone else does, answering sample questions, doing sample tests, going over your scores, evaluating your weaknesses. But for you the biggest hurdle will be changing your mindset.

Also, there are a number of colleges that do not require standardized tests - they can be found at fairtest.org.

3

Thanks!

4

One thing that really helps me is doing practice tests in real time. Clear out three hours in your schedule, get a timer or a cooperative parent/friend, and sit down and take a practice test as if it was the real one, and score it as if it were the actual test. Eventually, persevering through the long hours will become second nature.

5

Thanks!

6

For verbal portions, I have always been a proponent of reading. Read periodicals (on-line or in-print), read novels, read something (within reason). You can even start off with easier reads and go onto more difficult ones. I personally recommend the New York Times, Harvard Business Review (free-site access this July and August!), MIT Technology Review, and The Economist (check out their “Espresso” app!). This helps with comprehension AND vocab, and keeps you informed at the same time. It is a win-win situation.