Tips & Resources
Helpful strategies and resources for effective test preparation.
1. Read Actively, Not Passively
When reading passages, underline key ideas, circle important names or dates, and jot down brief notes in the margin. Active reading helps you retain information and answer questions more accurately.
2. Process of Elimination
Even if you're not sure of the correct answer, eliminate obviously wrong choices. This increases your odds significantly. Cross out answers that are clearly incorrect before selecting your final choice.
3. Answer Every Question
There's no penalty for wrong answers, so never leave a question blank. If you're running out of time, make educated guesses based on what you know.
4. Manage Your Time Wisely
Divide your time roughly equally among questions. If a question is taking too long, mark it and move on. You can always return to difficult questions if time permits.
5. Review Your Mistakes
After each practice test, carefully review every question you got wrong. Understand why the correct answer is correct and why your answer was wrong. This is where real learning happens.
6. Build Stamina
Full-length tests are long. Build your stamina by taking complete practice tests under timed conditions. This helps you maintain focus throughout the entire test.
7. Focus on Weak Areas
Use your progress dashboard to identify weak areas. Spend extra time practicing topics where you consistently score lower. Targeted practice is more effective than random practice.
8. Stay Calm Under Pressure
Test anxiety can hurt your performance. Practice relaxation techniques, get enough sleep, and remember that this is just practice. Stay calm and focus on one question at a time.
9. Use Scratch Paper
For math problems, always show your work on scratch paper. This helps you avoid calculation errors and allows you to check your work if needed.
10. Practice Regularly
Consistency is key. Regular practice, even if it's just 15-20 minutes a day, is more effective than cramming. Set a schedule and stick to it.
11. Understand Question Types
Familiarize yourself with common question patterns. Once you recognize question types, you can apply specific strategies for each type more effectively.
12. Trust Your First Instinct
Research shows that your first answer is often correct. Unless you have a good reason to change it, stick with your initial choice. Overthinking can lead to mistakes.