Know the Score when preparing for College Entrance Exams

You’ve worked hard the past few years to prepare yourself for life after high school. Taking the right courses, striving for scholarships, and visiting the universities you’re interested in takes a lot of time and work. One of the most important steps to getting into the college of your choice is the college entrance exam. The most popular are the SAT and ACT, which measure what you have learned over the course of many years. They are usually taken in the spring of your junior year or fall of your senior year. While no amount of cramming can hugely impact your score, being prepared and organized can go a long way.

Here are some secrets and strategies to getting the best score possible:

1. First, make an appointment with your guidance counselor if you haven’t already discussed these tests. Most four-year colleges will accept either the SAT or ACT, but some have specific preferences. If you haven’t decided where you want to go, it’s a good idea to take both. Ask for the free materials published by the testing companies that include tips, a sample test and scoring instructions.

2. Consider buying software that has the ability to tailor a training program to your needs. You’ll start with a diagnostic test to assess your strengths and weaknesses. The program then creates a personalized course of study to hone in on where you need the most help.

3. For what some people consider the most intensive way to prepare for these exams, there are prep courses available from different providers like The Princeton Review and Kaplan. Courses typically span about 10 weeks and are led by highly trained individuals. You’ll be provided home study materials and then participate in several class sessions and practice tests. When choosing a class, take into consideration class size, price, location and guarantees. Interested in prep courses but have a busy schedule? Considerthe new online courses that are available at www.collegeboard.com and www.kaplan.com.