The mention of tests can send shivers up some students’ spines, but the magic words “standardized tests” may cause the ultimate freak-out.

With the dawn of the new school year, many students have already begun to study for two of the most dreaded exams.

The ACT and SAT are standardized tests which students usually take in either their junior or senior year of high school.

Students have to take these tests in order to be accepted into most colleges and there is a smorgasbord of ways to prepare.

Some soon to be test takers, including junior Xiaoya Wu, have prepared for the exams in other countries. Wu went to China this past summer to study for the SAT.

“The Chinese study and prep for the test differently than Americans,” Wu said. “They do not have the vast amount of vocabulary that Americans do, so they look for generalizations that would still work with a smaller choice of words.”

The class Wu took in China taught her how to write strong essays as well.

“I learned tips on how to write essays, such as preparing topics beforehand, the elevation and dips of hard questions in the sections, and how to skim through sentences and paragraphs using key words,” Wu said. “I think some tips were helpful. Although the essay is always different, I don’t think the American and Chinese versions of the tests are different otherwise because we used the same guide that the Americans use while in China. The class has taught me how to study for the test.”

Other students have obtained extra help on the side as well through Princeton Review sessions or tutors.

Senior Ikshu Neithalath sought out the services a tutor because he views studying as a top priority.

“Studying is definitely helpful,” Neithalath said. “You should study. You should always study. Not studying is shooting yourself in the foot. Before the prep, I was consistently scoring in the low 700s on Reading Comprehension. After doing several practices in that particular area of the SAT, I was able to hit 800 on most practice tests. As a slow writer, the practice of the essay was much needed.”

Junior Katie Lefton shared Neithalath’s sentiments, saying that studying without an instructor is useless.

“Students don’t know what is going to be on the test, but tutors and class instructors do,’’ Lefton said. “Studying in class is helpful, since the teacher has an idea of what is going to be on the test and therefore will give students useful strategies and test taking tips.”

Neithalath also found this aspect of having a tutor especially useful.

“Before the prep, I really didn’t have any idea of what kind of an essay they were looking for you to write in the allotted 25 minutes,” Neithalath said. “My SAT tutor really helped me in that area, since he knew precisely what the graders are looking for. Honestly, that’s half the battle won, since the test is tailored very specifically to examine certain facets of one’s writing skills.”

Senior Richard Millett, who received a perfect score on his ACT, used a tutor, practice tests, and his classes at school to prepare for the exam.

“Most of the strategies I use aren’t all that unique,” Millett said. “I would recommend taking a few practice tests and focusing on whatever sections you finds most troublesome. Taking practice tests allow you to set goals for yourself and improve. Setting unreasonable expectations, such as getting a perfect score on every section of the SAT, causes more harm than good, since this leads to stress. The most important thing is to take the test in a relaxed but focused, way.”

This past year, the Clayton Summer Academy offered an ACT prep class to students who wished to improve their scores and test-taking skills.

Junior Drake Pinkston thought this class would be advantageous towards his getting into a good college.

“I found the class very helpful,” Pinkston said. “It is absolutely necessary to prepare for college entrance exams.”

Clinics are being offered this year at a discount to CHS students for ACT and SAT prep through Princeton Review.
Many students are taking advantage of these offers and will continue studying through taking them.

Some students, however, feel that preparation is required, but not necessarily with an instructor’s guidance. Junior Corrine Yap has prepared for the tests alone with resources offered by SAT/ACT.

“I am preparing by going to the ACT website and taking the practice tests that are posted there,” Yap said. “These practice tests contain the same types of questions that appear on the real ACT, so it was an extremely helpful source.”

Others do not feel the need to go out and buy books or use tutors offered specifically for increasing one’s test score.

Senior Becca Steinberg views school and using common sense as enough help for getting good scores on the standardized tests.

“I found one strategy incredibly helpful,” Steinberg said. “Basically, when I get to each question I keep in mind that I need to make good choices. Before bubbling in an answer, I ask myself, ‘Is this a good choice?’ If it is, I bubble it in. If it is not, I look for an answer that is a good choice and choose that one instead. Making good choices is always the right answer.”

Yap thinks that most people get anxious before taking the ACT and SAT but feels that there is no need for getting stressed out over the tests.

“One shouldn’t be too anxious about them,” Yap said. “ Some school tests are definitely harder, such as those in AP classes. The only difference is that the SAT and ACT are over multiple subjects. People who freak out and over-study usually over-analyze the questions when they take the tests.”

Steinberg agrees with Yap and feels that there are many better things to do besides studying for standardized tests.
“I think the whole ACT/SAT thing is overblown and stupid,” Steinberg said. “Take it once, and if you don’t like your score, then maybe get a prep book and retake it once. There are so many better things to do with a Saturday morning, like sleep, which, by the way, is a great way to prepare for these tests.”

Although Pinkston is not stressed out over these upcoming tests, he still feels that preparing is necessary.

“I encourage all persons planning to take such standardized exams to exercise all possible options to prepare them,” Pinkston said.