Standardized exams play a crucial role in the admission process to institutions overseas. For example, most students wishing to pursue undergraduate studies at US colleges are required to take the SAT or ACT. The IELTS is a test that applicants to UK institutions may need to take. Even those who choose to continue their education in India must take various college entrance examinations, often known as standardized admissions tests, as each Indian institution and university has its admission test.
Taking a standardized entrance test can be intimidating due to its significance for college admissions and its novel format, which typically differs from school assessments. This article covers everything you need to know while preparing for standardized tests.
6 Tips to Help You Prepare for Standardized Tests
Here are crucial tips to help you prepare for standardized tests:
1. Understand the Test Format
The first step in prepare for standardized tests is to familiarize yourself with their format. Check the testing organization’s website or review study materials specific to that exam. This will help you comprehend important aspects such as the exam’s content, test length, whether there are pauses between questions if all questions are multiple-choice or require written responses, and whether there is negative marking. Taking an exam without fundamental comprehension is not advisable. Grasping the subtleties of the exam is one of the most important aspects of test preparation. On exam day, it can boost your confidence and help you save valuable time.
2. Indirect Preparation is Important
Most standard tests focus on evaluating competencies crucial for thriving in higher education and beyond. Therefore, fundamental mathematics knowledge and proper English grammar are typically included in exams. If a student wishes to enroll in a specialized course, the standardized exam may concentrate on assessing more course-specific information. Occasionally, students may also be assessed on general knowledge. Students should focus on developing the abilities necessary to excel on these types of exams over time.
Reading periodicals and books can greatly benefit exam preparation for college admissions. They help students develop their vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, and other skills. Students who read the news stay informed about national and international events, which is also very beneficial.
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3. Practice Makes Perfect
To perform well on a standardized exam, students must grasp the many subjects being assessed and develop a solid understanding of the various tactics needed to ace the test. There is only one method to address these two requirements: exam preparation. The subjects tested on college admissions exams are typically taught in the classroom.
Students must therefore carefully review their schoolwork. The hardest part of taking an exam is typically figuring out its format. There is no substitute for putting in a lot of practice before taking a standardized exam, over several weeks or months. Concentrate on mastering each component of the test and the various subject areas being assessed. Remember, there are no shortcuts when you prepare for standardized tests.
4. Adopt Productive Strategies
Usually, students take a series of mock exams to prepare for standardized tests. Some may realize, however, that their scores don’t improve over time. This occurs when you’re not paying attention to pinpointing your areas of weakness. You must dedicate effort to identifying the topics or areas you are struggling with and improving your score in them. Your overall score won’t increase until then. You won’t necessarily get a higher score if you keep concentrating on the things you’re already good at while preparing for standardized tests.
5. Concentrate on Timing
Test preparation is crucial, but there is a catch. Given that all standardized admissions examinations have strict time constraints, practice must adhere to these limitations. As a result, rather than practicing the exam in sections, students should try to simulate the actual testing environment at home. Regular high school or college-level examinations are not the same as admissions tests since sections are usually timed differently. While you prepare for standardized tests, keep an eye out for any notable trends or patterns in your behavior as you practice.
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6. Hold Your Nerves on Test Day
Before a big test, many students experience extreme anxiety, which can hurt their performance. You will only be able to give it your all if your mind is clear and focused, so you must control your emotions and remain composed. To a great extent, preparation makes a difference. If you are confident, you won’t have to worry about doing poorly. Make sure you get enough sleep the night before the test. Consume a nutritious breakfast to help you stay focused. While you prepare for standardized tests, practice these habits for better performance.
Make a list of everything you need to bring to the test center a few days before the exam and put it all in one location to ensure you remember items like your ID card, admission ticket, stationery, and calculator (if needed). Most standardized exams are lengthy and provide sufficient breaks between sections. If you want to remain attentive and focused during the entire test, bring along nutritious snacks to eat during those breaks. You must consider this step when planning to prepare for standardized tests.
Conclusion
Preparing for standardized examinations such as the SAT, ACT, IELTS, and TOEFL requires dedication, thoughtful planning, and the appropriate tools. Students can boost their study abroad applications and achieve their desired scores with focused preparation. By following these steps while preparing for standardized tests, you will surely stand out from the crowd.
We at EnrichMyCareer provide a range of programs to assist you in acing standardized exams and navigating the application process for studying abroad. Feel free to book a free 15-minute consultation with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to prepare for standardized tests?
When planning to prepare for standardized tests, keep in mind a few key aspects: understanding the test format, practicing, time management, and stress management.
2. Is IELTS easier than the SAT?
Compared to the SAT, the IELTS exam is generally considered easier to take. Ultimately, it depends on the student’s qualifications and exam-taking readiness. Most universities in the US and Canada require SAT scores for student admission. It demonstrates how well-prepared a student is for college.
3. How to do better on standardized tests?
To do better on standardized tests, preparation is important. This includes paying attention to the directions, reading the entire test, responding to the questions you are aware of first, addressing the questions you initially skipped, and carefully examining your work. Incorporate these steps while you prepare for standardized tests.
Nishant is an Internationally Certified Career Coach, a Career Counsellor, an Education Consultant, a Soft Skills Trainer, and an ardent advocate of youth empowerment through personalized guidance, mentoring, and developmental interventions. He is also an International Economic Development and Business Consultant. Over the years, he has helped many students of different age groups and working professionals in discovering their true selves, setting appropriate career goals, and walking the right career paths.
Nishant is a mechanical engineering alumnus from R.V. College of Engineering, Bangalore. He has been widely featured in top media and also delivered talks at Cambridge University-UK and IIT-Guwahati among others. He has also delivered workshops at many reputed schools and colleges on various careers and skills-related topics.
