Often times students get so immersed and bogged down with test prep material they will throw their hands up and ask, “Does this stuff actually work?” Some people may advocate not studying for exams and that high performance is simply based on previous content knowledge and a natural ability to perform well on standardized tests. There seems to be more and more controversy around the validity of test prep, particularly around undergraduate exams such as the SAT and ACT.
For many students, their ACT and SAT scores are of utmost importance when applying to schools and can be a determining factor with admissions committees from various elite ones. While some may disagree for their own ideological reasons, it has been proven time and again by Manhattan SAT and others that ACT and SAT prep directly affects score outcome in a positive manner. Curious to know why and how? Read on for specifics on the correlation between test prep and test day performance.
1.Statistics
In 2017, the College Board, the maker of the SAT, published a report that said students who studied for 20 hours with free Official SAT Practice materials garnered an average score gain of 115 points more than their counterparts who didn’t. Additionally, they conducted shorter studies that claimed students who studied anywhere from six to eight hours gained an average 90-point increase. Of course, the SAT underwent several changes in 2016 that aligned itself more with the materials high schoolers were using in school, which could bode well for both those who prepare and don’t, but the advantages of studying are tenfold. The ACT, a more widely taken exam than the SAT, has seen similar results.
2.Familiarity
Test prep for the ACT and SAT give students a familiarity with the exam’s format, directions, and question types. Naturally, such an understanding can lead to better performance, as a familiarity with those important elements of the exam leads to less anxiety and test trepidation. We perform better when we know what is expected of us and when—the same applies directly to the ACT and SAT.
3.Strategies, Tactics, Techniques
Enrolling in a test prep course inevitably leads to the cultivation of vital strategies, tactics, and techniques for success on test day. Having a trained coach who leads you through the test’s murky waters can help you avoid common pitfalls, ultimately enhancing your performance and score. Most of us would have no way of knowing test-taking strategies unless directly taught, so being in a class or course—brick and mortar or online—can greatly impact this. No one knows either of these exams better than someone who teaches them. Look to the source—or in this case, the coach—for guidance.
4.Diagnostic Exams as Assessments
A major advantage of a test prep course is having the luxury of taking practice exams that are evaluated, graded, and assessed by a professional. It’s hard to track your progress and have a general idea of your score without these exams as markers. After all, don’t you need to know where you are to know where you want to get to? Diagnostic tests are invaluable in SAT and ACT prep to enhance, improve, and increase your score.
While a test prep course is no magic bullet for a perfect SAT or ACT score, the facts certainly show that it can drastically help. Manhattan Review Visakhapatnam will certainly vouch for it, but more than that, take it from the countless students who have eased admittance to the school of their dreams from long hours spent in preparation courses. The hard work absolutely pays off!
