ACT
Tips for Taking the ACT
- Carefully read the instructions on the cover of the test booklet.
- Read the directions for each test carefully.
- Read each question carefully.
- Pace yourself—don't spend too much time on a single passage or question.
- Pay attention to the announcement of five minutes remaining on each test.
- Use a soft lead No. 2 pencil with a good eraser; do not use a mechanical pencil or ink pen.
- Answer the easy questions first, then go back and answer the more difficult ones.
- On difficult questions, eliminate as many incorrect answers as you can, then make an educated guess among those remaining.
- Answer
every question. Your scores on the multiple-choice tests are based on
the number of questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for
guessing.
- If you complete a test before time is called, recheck your work on that test.
- Mark your answers neatly. Erase any mark completely and cleanly without smudging.
- Do
not mark or alter any ovals on a test or continue writing the essay
after time has been called or you will be dismissed and your answer
document will not be scored.
PSAT
About PSAT/NMSQT
The Preliminary SAT®/National
Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a co-sponsored program by the
College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).
PSAT/NMSQT
stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT
Reasoning Test™. It also gives you a chance to enter National Merit
Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.
The PSAT/NMSQT measures:
- critical reading skills
- math problem-solving skills
- writing skills
You
have developed these skills over many years, both in and out of school.
This test doesn't require you to recall specific facts from your
classes.
The most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT are:
- to
receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary
for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas
that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
- to see how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
- to enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (grade 11).
- to
help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of
questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT.
- to receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student Search Service.
SAT
Important test taking tips:
- Answer
easy questions first. The easier questions are usually at the start of
the section, and the harder ones are at the end. The exception is in the
critical reading section, where questions are ordered according to the
logic and organization of each passage.
- Make educated guesses.
If you can rule out one or more answer choices for multiple-choice
questions, you have a better chance of guessing the right answer.
- Skip questions that you really can't answer. No points are deducted if an answer is left blank.
- Limit
your time on any one question. All questions are worth the same number
of points. If you need a lot of time to answer a question, go on to the
next one. Later, you may have time to return to the question you
skipped.
- Keep track of time. Don't spend too much time on any group of questions within a section.
- Use your test booklet as scratch paper.
- Mark the questions in your booklet that you skipped and want to return to.
- Check your answer sheet to make sure you are answering the right question.
- Make
sure you use a No. 2 pencil. It is very important that you fill in the
entire circle on the answer sheet darkly and completely. If you change
your response, erase it as completely as possible.