Its not magic but they are tricky

Everyone always asks me if the SAT and ACT are so easy then why do students have so much trouble. The answer is simple. They are good at being tricky. In one of my articles I uncover this very secret. Like I always say these tests are not harder than the tests students see in school, but they are much trickier. On the the SAT and ACT, the testmakers go out of their way to trick you. So to do well on the tests its important for students to understand this because if you approach either test like a normal test you will be in for a long day. In my recent article I show several examples of just how tricky each test is. The ACT is not quit as tricky as the SAT. What the ACT loves to do (and the SAT likes this, too) is to ask you a long-winded question, especially with a scary looking illustration, and an even scarier looking formula, that gets you anxious and confused--even if you don't decide just to skip it altogether. Regardless whic test you decide to take you can do very well with a little test prep. Fell free to check out any of my recent articles about this subject or any other subject about the SAT or ACT. You can also purchase my Test Prep Kit on my website at www.collegeprepcoach.net

The Secret to SAT and ACT Prep

Most people think the SAT and ACT are harder than they really are. I released a article today that's discusses just how easy these tests are. In the article I comment that most people know everything they need to know to score near perfect by the 8th grade. I'm sure that sounds crazy to you ,but its true. Its very basic stuff that is disguised to look much harder than it really is. One example I like to use is the science section on the ACT. What kind of science does it test? The answer is no science. There is not one single scientific fact that you need to know on the ACT. Its all about your ability to read charts and graphs. I have had students as early as the 6th grade score extremely well on theses tests. You know everything you need to know to score well you just don't know how to use it. There are several more examples in todays article. Feel free to read it and email me with any questions.

MAY SAT around the corner

For those of you who are more SAT than ACT folks your time is coming soon. The next SAT is coming up on May 10. I just released a article today on this subject. If your a senior your probably done with your test taking but for you sophomore's and juniors this is prime time. If you have already taken the SAT you probably know what to expect but if you haven't you can find more information on my website. A little test prep will go a long way. Like I always say the SAT and ACT only have easy questions that look easy and easy questions that look hard but there are no hard questions. If you have any questions about the SAT or ACT feel free to email me or submit your question on my website.

Steve

LAST MINUTE ACT PREP

Alright, the ACT is just a few days away. You've done a little practice, or maybe none at all, and you're nervous. Understandable. Not to worry, though:

there's still time to put your best foot forward on Saturday. The first thing you need to do is get hold a of a practice test: the easiest option is to go to your college counselor's office and pick up a free copy of the official sample test. This is a real ACT with answers and scoring chart at the back.

Sit down and time yourself strictly. If you run out of time on a section, mark the spot, and keep going. Later, you'll be able to access how much faster you need to go (probably just a few seconds per question), while still getting the benefit of practice on the remaining questions.

Remember: the key to the ACT is to get to all the questions and put down your best answer. That means moving along and guessing when a question gives you trouble: not getting bogged down! In reality, all the questions are simple (the hard ones just LOOK hard), but under the time pressure, you're still going to have to guess on some of the questions. That's fine, as long as you get to every question, read it, and put down your best response. In the end, that's how you get your best score.

On English, read carefully and trust your ear: no need to second guess yourself. This is everyday grammar, and you're an expert at it, because you use it all the time with your family and friends.

On Math, find the common sense, intuitive way to do the problem. If you can estimate an answer, do it. If you can use the answer choices to guess and check, do it!

On Reading, read more quickly by reading less. Just get the main idea of the passage and spend more time on the questions themselves.

On Science, remember: this is not a test of science, just a test of reading charts and graphs. So go directly to the questions, then hunt back for the answers!

Let me know how you like these tips and how you did on the test. And visit my website, www.collegeprepcoach.net , for more prep.

Good luck!

Spring Break

Hope everyone has a great spring break. The next ACT is coming up April 12th and is followed by the May 3rd SAT. The good news is you still have plenty of time to get ready for both. Some focused intelligent prep two or three times a week is all you need, but remember :the key to higher scores is taking the tests multiple times and preparing for each one. That way, you get better and better and build up higher scores solidly with time. A paced home study process is ideal, because you can accomplish what you need to in the way of good prep in a couple of weeks. I may be biased , but I highly recommend the College Prep Coach DVD test prep kit that covers both tests in a very easy, quick, and even fun way to use. The bonus is that you use the kit over and over for multiple tests to get higher and higher scores. Next week I will cover last minute or "last week" test prep. If you have any questions you can always visit my website at http://www.collegeprepcoach.net or email me at headcoach@collegeprepcaoch.net

Steve