How to Score Higher on Standardized Testing

Taking a standardized test like the SAT or the ACT only takes a few hours, but your score can have an outsized effect on your future. You'll have a much easier time getting into your top choice school -- not to mention a better shot at scholarships -- if you ace your standardized tests. Put plenty of effort into preparing for test day, and you'll thank yourself later. These strategies will help you study effectively and get a better score when the big day arrives.

1. Give yourself enough time to prepare.

If your usual study strategy for a test is to "cram" the material the night before, you might want to rethink that when it comes to the SAT and ACT. There's really no such thing as cramming for a standardized test because there's no clearly delineated subject matter to master. Rather, these tests are designed to measure the overall quality of your reading, math, and critical thinking skills, and it takes time and consistent effort to improve these. Aim to give yourself at least three months to study for your standardized tests, and be sure to actually use that time. It's better to study for an hour every day than to wear yourself out studying for six hours in one sitting.

2. Establish a baseline by taking a practice test.

Before you start reading about testing strategies or working on practice problems, sit down and take a timed practice test. This will give you an idea of where you're starting from and what your strengths and weaknesses are. It will also give you a realistic idea of how much you might be able to improve your score by the time the testing day rolls around.

3. Find the right study resources for you -- and use them.

You can find plenty of materials for self-directed study online and at your local library. For some students, working through a book of practice problems alone is adequate preparation. But if you're struggling with some of the material on the test, or if you want to bring your score up as much as possible, paid study resources such as tutoring may prove very valuable to you. The best ACT tutoring online will provide you a personalized study experience geared towards your individual needs and goals.

4. Read all of the instructions and questions carefully.

It's all too easy to lose points on a standardized test if you don't take the time to fully read and reflect on the question being asked. As you study, train yourself to slow down while reading questions, and be sure you understand exactly what the question is asking before you try to answer it.

5. Know when to guess.

There is no penalty for wrong answers on either the SAT or the ACT. Therefore, if you aren't sure about the answer to a question or you're about to run out of time for the section, it is always better to guess than to leave a question blank. You can improve your odds of guessing right by using the process of elimination to throw out answers that are obviously incorrect.

6. Pace yourself and use all your time.

There's no extra credit for finishing a section of your standardized test with time left on the clock, so practice pacing yourself. If you get stuck on a question, leave it and move on instead of wasting time on it. You can return to it if you have time left after finishing the other questions. If you finish a section early, go back and review your answers.

7. Consider re-taking a standardized test if you're not happy with your score.

You can take both the SAT and the ACT multiple times, so if your score isn't everything you hoped it would be, there's no need to panic. If time and finances allow for it, consider doubling down on your studying and taking the test again in a couple of months.

Taking a standardized test may not be most people's idea of fun, but it's one of the most important parts of your college preparation. Consider your SAT or ACT study time investment in yourself and your future. The earlier you start preparing for your tests, the better you'll do.