These things won’t go away! With colleges like Yale and Georgetown dropping test-optional and requiring at least one national standardized test score, college applicants will have to beat, not avoid, test anxiety. Furthermore, many top graduate programs still also require a top score. Thankfully, people aren’t born with predetermined abilities to answer math and reading comprehension questions; anyone can become a confident test-taker with these tips.
1. Preparation
Nothing beats hard work and grinding out results. Start studying at least three months in advance for the best results. Set a study schedule and commit to taking practice tests, reviewing the answers, and focusing on areas of improvement. Here are some steps to get you started on a higher score.
First, take a diagnostic test, preferably from an official source like Khan Academy for SAT/LSAT, the ACT Official Prep Guide, or the AAMC official Prep Guide for the MCAT. This is the most accurate tool to predict where you are right now in the process. If the results don’t look pretty yet, it’s okay! You now know what you need to study, as each practice test has detailed data on your performance by section. Pat yourself on the back for the sections on which you performed well, and prepare to focus on those you didn’t.
Next, relearn those skills through the official test prep books, Khan Academy, or a third party source like Kaplan. Cover all of the sections that were below average slowly and carefully. Take notes that you can refer to, do practice problems, and review the answers consistently.
Once you feel an improvement in your test-taking ability, take another practice test! Review the ones you did wrong and reflect on your progress. Rinse and repeat these steps until you’re scoring at your target level on the official tests.
2. Simulate the Test-Taking Environment
Taking a test on a small desk in complete silence is a rare experience. Even the smallest things, like how uncomfortable you are or an unfamiliar interface, can cause you to overthink, which might lead to test anxiety. While annoying in the present, taking care to make your practice test environment as close to the real thing as possible will pay dividends in the long run. Don’t have your phone near you, stick to official timings of both sections and breaks, and use the correct materials or interfaces.
3. Plan to Test Multiple Times if Possible
For entrance exams, you should plan to take them at least twice. If you get an amazing score the first time, congrats! If not, you still have the opportunity to take it again. Anything could go wrong the first time, so you want to give yourself multiple official at-bats to truly demonstrate your potential. Don’t use it as insurance though, be prepared to try your best on each test. Not having to take the test again is a huge reward all by itself.
4. Test Day is Just a Normal Day
Lastly, stick to your normal schedule and routines on test day. Trick your body into thinking it's just another day so you don't stress or panic. A normal body state will remove all potential distractions and worries, allowing you to focus on the test.
Standardized exams will never be easy, and they will stay in place as long as higher education is around. Like many other challenges, test anxiety can be overcome with hard-work and patience. Take time to invest in these skills because college tests don’t get any easier. Best of luck!
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