NAIL Your College Entrance Exams

It’s undeniable.  The student’s I coach every year are, simply, brilliant.  These students have managed to earn a spot in the top 5% or 10% of their senior class.  They’ve juggled impressive extracurricular activities that would make your head spin.  And, they’ve impacted their local communities by volunteering upwards of 400 hours of service.

Yet, while they’ve invested, sacrificed, and overcome incredible academic hurdles, there is one college admission component that trips them up each admission cycle:  college entrance exams.   It’s not that they don’t know about these exams.  They know.  It’s because these darn exams are really stressful and cause a lot of anxiety.  Just ask any senior why these exams cause so much panic.  They’ll sarcastically respond, “Like, my entire future is based on my scores.  That’s all!”

Naturally, students wait until the last minute and approach their exams like a kamikaze pilot.  “I’ll just wing it!” they say.  Or, “I’ll just take the exam 5 times and hope I improve.” #insanity.  So basically, these brilliant students who have nailed all of their college admission angles neglect this one critical component.

So, this year, I decided to put together a simple 5-step strategy to help students nail these exams.  I presented this strategy last week in Northern California with 70 high school juniors at Alisal High School in Salinas.  The students asked more questions about these strategies than any of the other topic during our two-day, intensive, Quetzal Mama College Boot Camp.  I’m sharing the 5 strategies here.  #Resources

Quetzal Mama’s 5-Step Strategy

to Nail College Entrance Exams

Step #1 – Realize These Exams are NOT a Measure of Your Aptitude (aka brilliance).  Instead, these exams have proven to be the best indicator of your parent’s income and educational level.  Yep.  You don’t need fancy statistics to prove this (although I’ve got em!).  The fact is many brilliant students do not score well on these exams, simply because we attended low-resourced schools or our families did not have the resources to hire coaches or pay for $1,000 test prep programs.  #Rigged  I expose the truth about these exams here.

Step #2 – Figure out Which Test to Take.  There are four different exams related to college admissions.  There is the ACT, SAT, Subject Tests, and AP or IB Exams.  Let’s break it down.

First, which is better – the ACT or SAT?  Either exam is accepted by nearly all universities (one is not better than the other).  There are both subtle and significant differences.  For example, the ACT has a more rigorous math comprehension section.  And, the ACT has a science component – whereas the SAT does not.  So, if you are pursuing a major in a STEM related field (or if you are really strong in math and science), the ACT might be better for you.  However, the best way to determine which test is best for you, is to take practice exams for each test. #Knowledge

Aside from the ACT versus the SAT, there are also SAT Subject Tests.  Subject Tests are one-hour, multiple-choice exams covering one subject.  There are 21 different Subject Tests.  Find out which tests are required or recommended for your major or the college.  #RecommendedReallyMeansRequired.  For example, many competitive programs (including the CSU’s and UC’s) want to see students taking at least Math Level 2, and two other tests related to your intended major.  Go to collegeboard.org to find the list of subject tests and the dates they are administered.

Finally, there are AP or IB Exams.  These are administered at your high school.  You should always take exams that correspond with your completed AP coursework.  And, don’t skip exams related to your intended major.  For example, if your intended major is Psychology, don’t skip the AP Psychology exam!  Or, if you intend to major in a STEM related field, don’t skip the AP Calculus exam!  #NoRegrets

            Step #3 – Identify Your Schedule Strategy.  Determine far in advance which test dates fit your schedule and allow for college application deadlines.  You must schedule testing at reasonable times.  For example, don’t take Biology, Chemistry, and Physics on the same day!  And, don’t push all the exams until November or December of your senior year.  This is especially important if you are applying Early Action (November 1).  #Organized

For Subject Tests, take them immediately after you’ve completed the corresponding course.  For example, take the Physics Subject Test right after you complete Physics.  For the AP exams, there is a trick.  They’re only administered once per year (in May).  So, don’t make the mistake of putting off an AP exam for your senior year . . .because you won’t be able to include your scores in your fall college application. #'¡Apúrate!'

How can you take the right exams at the right time? I’ve got you!  Here is my strategy:

            Go register. No, really.  Go register.  Right now, right now.

            Next, you’ll want to know how to prep for these exams.  That leads us to the next step.

Step #4 – Prepare for the Exams.  There are several, free strategies to prepare for any of the above college entrance exams.  First, there are free practice tests on several sites.  My top recommendation would be to visit the Official SAT Practice site, Khan Academy.  They have practice tests, diagnostics, personalized recommendations, instant feedback, and lots of videos.  You can also get free practice tests by going to the ACT site, or the SAT site.

Alternatively, you can purchase a test prep book.  Better yet, get a book from your local public library.  I personally enjoy going to Barnes & Noble, grabbing a chai latte, and doing some practice exams.  Lastly, you can apply for financial aid through a reputable test prep program.  I like Princeton Review (and so do my students).  However, these prep programs are really expensive (like $1,000).  If you don’t qualify for their financial aid, consider getting a few friends together and asking Princeton Review for a discounted rate for the group. #Negotiate.

            Step #5 – How to Pay for the Exams – Now that you’ve strategized, registered, and developed a test prep plan, you want to know how to pay for the exams.  The good news is that there are several ways to receive a fee waiver to cover the exam fees.  If you are in a college going program like GEAR UP, AVID, Upward Bound, etc., contact your advisor to find out if you can get fee waivers.  If you receive Free & Reduced Lunch, you will be eligible for fee waivers.  Find out far in advance where to obtain your fee waiver.  #Free

            That’s it!  Those are the 5 steps that will guarantee you’ll be knowledgeable, organized, and prepared.  Share this list with a friend!  But first Like It, then share it #SharingIsCaring