Show them the data and set individual goals
Ownership is a huge part of success. Have each student examine their previous scores, setting goals that they agree to reach for. Break things down into concrete chunks. If students see that only one or two more questions answered correctly might have put them in a higher category, they can set tangible goals in the form of an informal contract, a bar graph, or a reflection paragraph. Remember that “Do better next time” can’t be achieved without...
Read MoreFinal considerations for retaking the ACT
Students, while retaking the ACT can lead to a score increase for many, you should also consider the cost of taking the exams and what multiple scores mean to college admission officers. The ACT costs $46 and $62.50 with the writing portion. Costs can add up if you repeatedly take the test but keep in mind, the ACT offers fee waivers to low-income family students. Once you complete the exam and send your score to colleges, many schools may subscore your results. Subscoring is a process in which schools take the best scores from each section if you have taken the exam multiple times. Keep in mind, some schools may not subscore, which may be problematic if your second test score drops. For example, if you received a 25 composite score on the first exam and a 20 on the second, that may raise some questions with the admission officers. Consider the potential for good and bad outcomes that come from taking the ACT multiple times. Students may find drawbacks of having to spend more time, money and effort into the process of test preparation but the strong possibility of raising your score will be worth...
Read MoreTackle the ACT the second time: Dedicate the time
For many students, one of the biggest challenges they face is simply finding the time to commit to preparing for the ACT on a regular basis. With their academic obligations, extracurricular activities and other responsibilities, finding the time to test prep have become more difficult. Prep time can vary from prospective college students. There are several factors to consider when preparing to retake the ACT such as the original score and how high you want your score to increase. For example, a student who has a composite score of 27 but wants to increase their score by one or two points may only need to dedicate a few weeks to reach their desired score. But, students who want to increase their score by five or more points will need to dedicate significantly more amount of time for test prep. We recommend students to take enough mock tests to get close to their desired score before retaking the real exam. Learn about our mock testing program here....
Read MoreTackle the ACT a second time: Watch the clock
It’s not uncommon to skip some questions while taking a standardized exam. A score report can show you where you skipped questions, possibly revealing that you ran out of time. First-time test takers are not always aware of how quickly the exam moves and so they need to develop a strategy for timing and pacing. The ACT has more questions per minute than the SAT. The SAT has a grammar section which is 44 questions in 35 minutes. Whereas, the ACT English section has 75 questions in 45 minutes. SciMath Education’s mock test program administers practice tests in timed environments to improve college applicants time management for test...
Read MoreStudents: Know standardized test strategies
While the main concern on students’ minds for typical tests may be remembering certain material that will be covered, standardized exams require them to think about specific test-taking strategies, rules, and approaches that aren’t always relevant for other exams. That said, if students go to take the SAT or ACT and have only studied content for a few days, as they would for any other exam, they may be at a disadvantage. The ACT and SAT tests are not exams where you can cram the night before and shove the material in your short-term memory. It takes weeks, months, or even years to adapt to the strategic test-taking skills required for questions that assess a very specific skill set. SciMath Education can help you prepare for your standardized exam. We offer specialized tutoring services catered to your individual needs. Contact: breanna@scimatheducation.com for more information....
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