Spring is coming to the Midwest, and, despite the recent snowfall, temperatures will soon start to rise and the sun will start to shine again. While the start of spring allows students to get some fresh air, it also can cause anxiety at impending standardized tests for sophomores and juniors. From spring SATs/ACTs to end of year AP tests, students may start to feel the pressure to do well as they prepare for these high stakes tests. And while these tests are important due to their ability to give you a leg up in admissions or start college with a few extra credits, it is always important to remember to work smarter, not necessarily harder. Below are a few important things to keep in mind as your student starts to prepare for their tests this spring.
Set Rigorous (and Realistic) Goals
When your student starts studying for spring tests, remember to set goals as part of your study plan. Whether they are hoping to improve 100 points on the Math section of the SAT or get a 4 on their AP Lit exam, setting clearly defined goals is a great way to gauge progress while studying and help students maintain their motivation through the spring. While these goals should be rigorous and motivating, you also want the goal to be something your student can achieve. Setting a goal to increase your composite score from a 20 to a 35 may seem like a great idea in theory, it can actually do more harm than good. When students realize their goal may be too ambitious, they can get discouraged and defeated undoing their hard work and motivation. Students should work with their test prep coaches, counselors, or classroom teachers to help set rigorous and realistic goals for their standardized test scores this spring.
Maintain Balance
As test prep ramps up, students can become overly focused on preparing for or stressing about standardized tests. Test prep shouldn’t be all consuming and students should make sure they are continuing to study for their classwork and maintain their involvement in extracurricular both in and out of school. While test scores may be helpful in strengthening your student’s college application, college admissions are still holistic and students will need to have well rounded applications that include activities and interests beyond just strong test scores. And while most teenagers don’t love standardized test prep, maintaining their other interests can help students have other outlets which will help reduce the risk of burnout when studying for tests all spring. Maintaining balance can also help avoid students getting tunnel vision or obsessing about their tests which also will help them avoid burnout. Help push your student to remember they need to maintain their other interests through the spring.
Read, Read, Read, and Read Some More
One of the best things a student can do to prepare for their standardized tests is to read as much as possible. While not your standard test prep activity, reading can improve a student’s test scores and, more importantly, prepare them for college-level curriculum. Reading is like a muscle and the more students work that muscle the stronger they will be on exams and managing their college work load in years to come. Don’t overthink it! Students don’t need to be reading Steinbeck and Shakespeare (unless that’s their jam!), reading fashion magazines, YA fantasy books, or even their favorite NFL blog helps them hone their reading and comprehension skills, which is the focus of many standardized tests. The more your student reads, the more they are building their test-taking skills.
A Few Final Thoughts
Students should always remember that these tests help them get a seat at the admissions table but they won’t be the sole reason they are accepted to their dream college. Students should take test prep seriously this spring but work with their support systems to determine if continued test prep is right for them. For students who struggle with standardized tests, don’t fret, test optional is a real and viable application strategy for you and it is completely ok to pursue. Continue working with your counselor to determine the right test prep plan for this spring.
Stay warm and remember spring is right around the corner.
