If you are like many high school students, your hectic schedule leaves little time for ACT or SAT preparation. Between sports, extracurriculars, and course work, how will you succeed on the crucial next step in your academic career? These tests determine where the next several years of your life will go. Of course, dedicated practice and study is recommended for the most dramatic score increases on the ACT and SAT. However, there are several options for even the most active students.
Study on the Go
Even if you think your schedule is jam-packed, there are bound to be a few down times in your day. During these breaks, pull out your phone or tablet and start studying.
Brush up on vocabulary while eating breakfast or riding in the car! Don’t waste time waiting at the doctor’s office, use it as an opportunity to nail down some weaknesses. We’ve put together a printable PDF of ACT Flash Cards to make your life easier. You can also find an abundance of free prep resources for both the ACT and SAT on our website, too. Want more? The ACT website and College Board SAT app both offer a Question of the Day.
By “stealing” practice during the slowest parts of your day, you maximize your time. This allows you to tap into your potential and memorize the most important information on the tests.
Take Practice Tests in Chunks
It’s extremely important to practice with real test questions. You’ll recognize more patterns and unlock more secrets the more exposure you have to actual test questions. Is it unlikely that you’ll have 3-4 hours to commit to taking a full practice test in a single sitting? That’s understandable, but can you spare an hour? If that’s feasible for you, take a test in chunks.
The SAT has 4 sections. Each of is 65-minutes, 55-minutes, 35-minutes, or 25 minutes long, depending on the section. The ACT has 4 sections and lasts 35, 40, or 60 minutes. Take a timed section several times a week to learn the “feel” of the clock and to practice with real questions. You can find free official ACT and SAT tests here, which you can print and take as your schedule allows.
Remember, it is not enough to just take timed sections from the test! You must review your mistakes in order to learn from them.
Take a Course
We know that your weekends are valuable, but so are your test scores. Good scores not only get you into good colleges. They can create scholarship opportunities or exempt you from the most basic required college courses. If you don’t have the time to commit to a regular course, consider taking an accelerate one. For example, we offer an ACT Accelerated Course. These focused classes are designed around the busiest student. Our accelerated course meets for 12 total hours, often in a single weekend. Our world-renowned instructors have scored in the top 5% of all test takers, so they know how to help you achieve the highest scores.
If our Accelerated Courses still aren’t convenient enough for you, check out our Live Online ACT Accelerated Courses. These give you the same experience—you get instruction from a live teacher, interaction with classmates, and a full 12 hours in class. The bonus is that you never have to leave the comfort of your own home! It’s easy to spare a single weekend if it means admission to the college of your dreams.
You Have the Time!
So there you have it. Even the busiest high school student has no excuses for not preparing for the ACT and SAT. At PowerScore, we understand how frenzied and demanding your high school life can be. That’s why we’ve created resources and courses to help even the most active student succeed.
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