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Standardized Tests Don’t Reflect Real Education. It’s true that some students naturally perform better on standardized tests than others, but there are important academic skills that are covered by these types of tests. For example, the ACT and SAT tests each have students write a timed essay, in which they must develop a thesis, organize information, and use persuasive strategies to drive their point home. This is an important skill that will pop up again in their college courses, as well as in their future place in the job market.

SAT and ACT tests also allow students to better recognize their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to grammar, reading and mathematics. Each of these disciplines, while they may not be the student’s favorite, will be important in their academic careers. Throughout their lives, students will be judged by their ability to communicate clearly, comprehend and respond to the written word, and employ basic mathematics.

Students Attending Good Schools Are Well Prepared. A good school curriculum does not necessarily directly relate to the material in standardized tests. In the SAT and ACT tests, students may encounter content that was taught to them several years ago, or that was never taught in an effective way. Some students are surprised to see material from middle school pop up on these tests, such as certain math or grammar foundations. That’s why it’s important for students to review their whole body of knowledge, not just rely on what they’ve learned recently to carry them through the test. Often sessions with tutors addressing SAT/ACT prep can help them review some of the foundation concepts that more advanced skills are built upon, making sure they are comfortable with their knowledge across the board.

Don’t Try to Beat the System. It’s true there is some strategy to taking the SAT and ACT tests, but be weary of general advice that doesn’t rely on a true demonstration of what the student has learned. For example, picking a random letter when unsure of a multiple choice question isn’t always in the student’s best interest.

Other advice regarding essay questions can also hurt a student’s performance. For example, some people believe it doesn’t matter what students write their essay about, as long as the essays sound good and fill the given space. The truth is the scorers of these tests are well educated and are looking for appropriate tone, style and substance more than length and fancy wording.

When it comes to the math sections, some advise students to plug in each answer and use their calculator to test them. While this may allow students to arrive at the correct answer, it not only wastes time but also eliminates their efficient modes of thinking and reasoning through each question. It undermines the very knowledge the students have worked so hard to gain.

The same goes for the reading sections and those who suggest skipping a thorough reading of the passage and simply testing each answer. Many of the questions on the comprehension sections not only ask for specific details, but also test student’s understanding of the author’s tone and overarching message-an important part of developing proper reading and comprehension skills.

So how can you help your student avoid these tempting but inefficient strategies? A timed practice test goes a long way in locating areas where students can use some brushing up with their parents, teachers or tutors.

Source: “SAT and ACT Myth Busting.” www.education.com