Summer is in full swing and school is out for a few months, giving students a little bit of a break from their studies to enjoy the warm weather. However, if you’re retaking the ACT or the SAT in the fall, you should dedicate a little bit of time during the summer to studying up on the material so you’re sharp and ready to go when test day comes. There are plenty of commonplace rumors and misled beliefs about standardized tests that need to be put to rest. Here are a few myths and misnomers about standardized tests that are commonly and incorrectly propagated:
1. Your Test Score Signifies Your Intelligence
Low scores on standardized testing have no correlation between your general intelligence level or IQ score. To achieve true success on standardized tests, you must demonstrate a reasonable knowledge and understanding of the material – and that comes through weeks and months of preparation.
2. The ACT is Easier
The ACT and SAT are different, but that doesn’t mean one is easier than the other. Both tests have their own strengths and weaknesses that challenge students in multiple ways, so some may have more difficulty with one test over the other.
3. Some Colleges Prefer the SAT
This is somewhat true, but even Harvard University states that they accept both ACT and SAT scores on an equal basis, so it shouldn’t factor into your decision to take one or the other. We’d recommend all students take both tests and take them early so that there’s an opportunity to retake them and improve your scores in the future.
4. The More Times You Take Them, the Better!
Some colleges may ask you for all of your test scores, so you shouldn’t just take the tests willy-nilly and “wing it” at any point. Practice tests and test preparation courses exist for a reason, so you should take advantage of them and try your best every time you take one of the tests.
5. Cramming is the Only Way to Remember Everything
Both the ACT and SAT cover a lot of material. Studies have shown that cramming is unhealthy, ineffective, and ultimately bad for your test scores. Spaced repetition, practice exams, and test preparation courses are proven methods of improving subject knowledge retention and final test scores.
To find a test preparation session in the Seattle area, visit our website or contact Sandweiss Test Prep today.