How to Ace the College Admissions Tests

Sharpen those No. 2s: Getting into your favorite school is far easier if you get strong scores on the admissions tests. Although plenty of resources are available to help you prepare, your best bet is still to read widely, develop a good vocabulary and challenge yourself in math and science courses.



Step1
Discuss with your high-school guidance counselor which tests to take and when. It is recommended that you take the SAT I (Scholastic Aptitude Test, which measures critical thinking) or ACT (American College Test, a content-based achievement test) in the spring of your junior year so there's time to retake it if necessary.


Step2
Find out which tests are required by your chosen colleges and take the one that better suits your skills. (Most colleges accept both the SAT and the ACT.) Find out if you need to take the SAT II in addition to the SAT I or ACT. Your guidance counselor should have free practice exams.


Step3
Sign up to take a preliminary test--the PSAT or the PLAN (ACT's preliminary exam) to find out what areas need work before you take the real thing. The PLAN is usually given in the sophomore year; many students take the PSAT in the fall of their junior year.


Step4
Compare your scores to the average test scores of entering students at your colleges of choice. If your scores are much higher, you may not need to prep for the actual test. Note that a top score of 36 on the ACT equates to a 1600 on the SAT.


Step5
Develop preparation strategies for the real exams. You have several options with a broad range of price tags. It's debatable how effective the various methods are, but most people agree that prepping boosts self-confidence and sharpens test-taking skills.


Step6
Buy a study book or software application, make a study schedule and stick to it. This is the least expensive route, but it works only if you're self-motivated and highly disciplined.


Step7
Take a course. Kaplan.com has offerings for $299 to $350; The Princeton Review (princetonreview.com) offers live online courses for $599 to $699, self-directed ones for $299 to $399, and crash courses for $79 to $99. Smaller companies such as TestU.com offer online courses for $60 and up.


Step8
Take a classroom course from Kaplan or the Princeton Review. These are expensive (starting at about $599) but are good for students who need structure and motivation. They usually last six weeks, and some come with a money-back guarantee.


Step9
Hire a private tutor for individual attention. Fees vary from $20 to $200 an hour, but if you need special guidance, it's worth it.