Test Prep Tips for June ACT and SAT

Here's What to Do In Order To Be Successful on June Standardized Tests As the school year comes to a close, many students look forward to taking a much-needed break from studying and exams. However, for students taking the June ACT or SAT, the end of the school year can be an unwelcome event, as the culmination of the semester leaves them little time to prepare for these important tests. For some, the stress of end-of-year exams, AP and IB tests, and other final projects can force students to put off their test prep for the June ACT or SAT – leaving them unprepared come test-day.When preparing for the ACT or SAT it’s important to develop an effective test prep strategy. From selecting the right test to setting score goals and creating a testing timeline, a good test prep plan can make all the difference in students’ performance on the ACT or SAT. When it comes to preparing for summer standardized tests, it’s crucial for parents and students to account for any end of year exams that might interfere with test prep, or the end o f the school year itself.The summer can be a strange time to take the ACT or SAT for some, as they can either be overwhelmed by finals, or mentally checked out of school for the summer. However, there’s a lot that students can do to stay on track.Here are some test prep tips to help students prepare for the June SAT or ACT.Practice, practice, practice! Practice makes perfect, and when it comes to standardized tests, practice can make a huge difference. By taking practice exams under timed conditions, students become more familiar with the test, and can even improve their SAT score by 30 points just through one practice test. When preparing for summer ACT or SAT, set aside time to take timed practice tests – at least three or four – before test day. Not only will this help students become more familiar with the test itself, they’ll be better acclimated to the pacing required to complete the test within the time constraints. This will also help keep them in the testing mindset should they finish school before the test day.Schedule your study time.Life’s a lot easier when you stick to a schedule, and the same applies to test-prep. If students set aside study time in their daily routine, they’re less likely to skip it for something else. Schedule an hour or two each day to review practice tests and work on specific skills or sections with which you have the most trouble. Set small, attainable goals, and reward yourself for studying! If your friends want to hang out but you need to study, study first then join them later as a reward to yourself for sticking to your plan. In the end it will pay off!Utilize online resources.Your teachers might not be as available during this time of year to help you with any questions you may have about something on the ACT or SAT, so utilize online resources instead to help you prepare. Check the College Board’s SAT site for official practice questions and answer explanations. The ACT website also has an entire practice section with sample questions from each section of the exam.Know when to ask for help.Still struggling with your test prep schedule or just not seeing any improvement in your practice tests? Know when to turn to a professional tutor for help. Many times a tutor can meet with students immediately and help them identify which areas to focus on and how to improve in the weeks or days before the test. At, we offer SAT and ACT tutoring services for students at any stage in the test prep process, whether they’re just getting started or they need some last-minute help before test-day. Want more information on our tutoring services? Contact us today. What other strategies are you using to prepare for the June SAT or ACT? Tell us in the comments below!