I’ve been thinking about our Juniors, and how the cancellation and postponement of ACT and SAT testing dates will affect them. Obviously, fewer opportunities to test means fewer opportunities to increase their scores. That’s the bad news.
The good news is that, with motivation, this is a great opportunity for students to separate themselves from the pack. While the majority of students will rejoice and relax during this downtime, a motivated student could study, take practice tests, and make improvements during this time.
I’m encouraging my juniors to use Method Test Prep online, which Hoover provides to them for free. They should take the Evaluation Tests, which only take 15-30 minutes each, and then use their results to focus their lessons on their weaknesses. I’ve shown my students how to do that, and I’d be happy to help any of you with that process.
Juniors also need to be taking practice tests. Method has two practice tests online, and although an online test doesn’t simulate the actual testing environment, it’s still good practice. Once a month, students should also sit down to take a full-length official practice test. I offer those in my office, and I provide feedback on scores and areas of weakness.
Bottom line, if you have your sights set on scholarships, or colleges with low acceptance rates, social distancing is a great opportunity for you. Find your motivation, take advantage of your extra time and the resources available to you, and pursue your dreams!