Bad Test-Taker? You CAN Get Better with These 5 Tips

While some colleges are going “test blind” where the ACT and SAT are concerned, most top-tier schools still use those scores to gauge how well an applicant is likely to do in their pursuit of a degree. Even when applying to “test-optional” schools, a good ACT or SAT score can give you an edge over your competition for admission.

What if you struggle with standardized testing? People who are “bad test-takers” may (rightfully) feel that their low scores on the ACT and SAT don’t really reflect their overall abilities.

Fortunately, being a “bad test-taker” doesn’t have to be a permanent condition – nor is it fatal to your academic goals. Here are some tips to improve your scores:

1. Stop Selling Yourself Short

Your mindset really does matter. If you tell yourself that you’re simply not good at standardized testing, you’re shutting the door on the idea that you can improve your scores with a little patience, hard work and a new perspective.

2. Don’t Equate Your Scores to Your Intelligence

Far too many students see their ACT and SAT scores as indicators of intelligence and knowledge – but that’s not really what they measure. Instead, these tests put an emphasis on logical thinking and time management. Once you realize that, you can refocus your approach to these tests and start improving.

3. Realize That Practice Really Does Help

Standardized test-taking is a skill. Like any other skill, you can get better with practice. Taking practice tests may not be your idea of a great way to spend your time, but those practice tests are invaluable. They help you understand what to expect and improve your confidence ahead of the actual test day.

4. Develop a Strategy for Your Next Test

If you go into each test with a plan, you’ll feel less overwhelmed. There are some basics that even the best students often forget to follow when taking these tests. They include:

• Read the directions. Do not assume that you know them, even from the practice tests.
• Answer the easiest questions first. It’s okay to skip around. Buzz through the easy questions and then circle back to the ones that give you trouble.
• Be willing to take a guess. Guessing – if you guess wrong – doesn’t hurt your score on either test, so you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
• Aim to eliminate even one wrong answer, first. When you do have to guess, try to eliminate any obviously wrong answers. That increases your overall odds of success.

5. Work with a Coach or a Tutor

Coaches and tutors really can help you improve your test scores. They can also guide you through practice tests by recreating an atmosphere similar to actual test conditions, where you are timed and proctored. If you suffer from a little anxiety over the testing process, this can help desensitize you to the environment you’ll be in and allow you to focus better.

When you have serious goals for your education, don’t let a poor performance on your ACT or SAT hold you back. Learn more about the options you have to break past any artificial barriers to your success.