Learn how to study for the most common prep school admissions test: the SSAT! A few simple steps conscientiously applied will reward you with confident test taking! An added benefit is that you will gain invaluable experience for other similar tests such as the PSAT and SAT which you will have to take in grades 11 and 12 anyway.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: 15 minutes
Here's How:
- Take practice tests. Barron's, Kaplan's and The Princeton Review publish practice tests as well as online Web based tutorials and classroom test prep sessions. As well the SSAT organization publishes practice tests.
While practice won't make perfect, it will go a long way towards creating a perfect attitude and stance when it comes to taking the test. Why? Because everything will seem very familiar. That will help you relax and perform better.
- Work to the clock! The real test is timed! The more questions you can answer, the better your chances of success are. Don't get frustrated if you need more time the first couple of times you take the test. You will learn to concentrate and answer questions quickly and efficiently.
- Duplicate the test environment! Take your practice test in a quiet room with no distractions. That means turning off your cell phone, iPod, stereo and TV. Sit at a table or desk just like you would in the actual test room.
- Repeat the practice test session at least twice. Schedule the practice test sessions several weeks apart.
- Memorize the test format and structure. Knowing what is expected is just as important as timing. The more familiar you are with the test, the more relaxed you will become.
- Know what material will be covered. Understand the way questions are worded.
- Learn all the variations in the way a question can be worded or presented.
- Think like an examiner. What are they really asking? Do you understand the question?
- Review the subject material. You can't cram years of studying into a few weeks, but you can review a subject in depth. Arrange for tutoring if you need it for concepts and topics you do not understand.
- Note what you don't understand. Keeping lists of topics which need some extra attention saves you valuable time as you count down to the test date.
- Practice what you aren't sure of by writing it out. There is no substitute for writing things out. For some reason your brain retains information which you have written out.
- Get help in the areas where you have deficiencies. Rate what you don't know or understand thoroughly from 1 to 10. Tackle the most serious deficiencies first.
- Pace yourself. Don't try to do all your review and studying in one weekend. Plan it over several months. Be consistent in your study habits. 15 minutes daily starting six weeks before the test date is better than a 5 hour cram session the night before.
- Visit the SSAT site daily for its Word of the Day and Question of the Day features. Great practice!
Tips:
- Don't put off thorough test preparation!
- Don't cram for standardized tests!
- Don't forget the application deadlines!
What You Need:
- Practice Tests from The SSAT Study Guide
- A quiet place to take a practice test
- A stopwatch or timer
