It can seem like there are endless misconceptions about the ACT and the SAT. Even a brief perusal of test prep resources can inundate the reader with contradictory information.
How do you study for this exam? Which strategies are most effective? Students seeking simple yes or no answers to their questions can easily find themselves bombarded with complicated advice.
If you are in this frustrating position, here are answers to three common questions about which test-taking tips work and which do not.
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1. When studying for the ACT or SAT, should I learn the content, or should I learn how to master the exam? The simplest answer here is ” B oth.” The ACT and the SAT do require students to know specific exam content and testing strategies. However, the more complicated answer is that it depends on which exam you plan to take.
The ACT, for instance, tends to be more about content than process. Its questions are generally straightforward, and while they may sometimes seem long-winded when compared to those on the SAT, they are often less difficult to unpack. Thus, the best way to earn a great score is to increase your ACT content knowledge.
The SAT, on the other hand, is just as much about process as it is about content. One of the SAT’s primary goals is to test your ability to reason.
While you still need a solid foundation in math, reading and writing, many SAT questions also require you to recognize tricky structure or wording. This is especially true in the m ath section. As a result, students who plan to take the SAT should devote ample prep time to mastering its format.
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2. Should I guess on ACT or SAT questions I don’t know? Currently, the SAT deducts a quarter-point for each incorrect multiple-choice answer, but the ACT has no such penalty. Mathematically, it is always beneficial to guess on the ACT. With the SAT, it is only worthwhile if you can eliminate at least one option.
Note, however, that student-produced math responses are exempt from the SAT’s guessing penalty. In both cases, the age-old advice , ” When in doubt, choose C,” may have little positive effect on your score.
3. How heavily should I rely on my calculator? This question has the same answer for both exams: It depends entirely on the test-taker. Contrary to popular belief, ACT and SAT math problems are designed s uch that incorrectly using your calculator can actually slow your progress.
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If you find yourself multiplying or dividing large sums that cannot be quickly solved on paper, you may be approaching the problem incorrectly. For example, maybe you miss ed a shortcut that would have allow ed you to avoid such complex calculations . This is an all-too-common mistake, especially on the SAT.
That said, completing a problem on a calculator can be quicker than completing it by hand if you are familiar with the calculator’s functions. To maximize your efficiency on the ACT and the SAT, aim to use your calculator only when it is considerably faster than working by hand, and only when you fully grasp the problem.
Although there are many more questions just like these, the three here represent the most common areas of confusion for potential test-takers. With these guidelines and careful preparation, you will likely have success on whichever exam you choose to take.
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3 True Answers About Common ACT, SAT Strategies originally appeared on usnews.com
