5 Tips to Make Test Prep More Fun

Studying for the SAT and ACT Can Be a Lot More Enjoyable with These Pointers For many students, the premise of passing up movie nights and weekends with friends for practice tests and study sessions is far from appealing. While test preparation will probably never become anyone’s go-to leisure activity, there are ways to make studying for the SAT or ACT more enjoyable. From creating study games to planning strategically, with a little creativity and time management, it is possible to make SAT/ACT studying feel less like a chore. Keep reading for some of our top tips to make the most of your test preparation time. Weave in Pop CultureWhile watching game shows is no substitute for completing practice SAT/ACT questions, students can steal some test strategy pointers from contestants trivia or quiz shows like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Students can notice that successful contestants weigh each potential answer carefully, instead of just trying to guess the correct choice and overlooking other possibilities. Test-takers who incorporate this approach on the SAT or ACT may notice that they complete exams with greater efficiency and accuracy. Look to Video Games and AppsThere’s an app for almost everything today, including ones that promise to bolster productivity and focus. Games like Brain Age: Concentration Training for Nintendo 3DS and the app Elevate are two examples of options that can help students prep for math sections by drilling arithmetic. The games also ask students to choose between two commonly confused words, which can be helpful practice for reading sections of the SAT and ACT. Create a Rewards SystemIf you feel your study motivation waning throughout your test preparation process, it may be beneficial to give yourself some incentives to bolster your enthusiasm. To get the most from this, outline a rewards system that is realistic and stick to it. This will vary from student to student but could look like one movie night for every 10 hours of focused test preparation or new independent reading books once you reach a score goal. Strive to choose rewards such that will help you relax and unwind without derailing you from your long-term study goals. Work CollaborativelyAlthough it isn’t effective to do all of your test preparation work with a friend, studying with peers once in awhile can help test preparation feel more fun. Most likely, many of your friends are also studying for the same exams at the same time, so you might be able to come together for the occasional study night. Before these group reviews, make sure to come up with a planned curriculum to ensure that everyone stays focused and on task. Whether it is SAT vocabulary or mastering the ACT science section, choose a topic beforehand and maybe select some practice problems to focus on in order to make sure that everyone is on the same page. Make Time for What You LoveStudying for the SAT or ACT is important, but it doesn’t need to take up every single evening and weekend. Ideally, students will start test preparation several months before they plan to take the SAT or ACT. Starting this early gives students time to adequately prepare while also participating in extracurricular activities and enjoying time with friends. If you get a late start on your test preparation journey, it may be necessary to devote more hours each week in order to catch up, but always pencil in a few hours to unwind and participate in activities that you truly enjoy. While preparing for the SAT or ACT may never be a student’s favorite high school memory, studying hard can be tremendously beneficial and help students cultivate tools to use throughout college. If you are currently preparing for the SAT or ACT and looking for one-on-one help, our team of expert tutors can help you reach your goals.