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Online SAT And ACT Prep Can Give Students An Edge

By Shirley Evans


For many thousands of high school students the yearly ritual of sitting for their college admission test seem like a mountain. The tests are perceived as difficult and young people know that a good score is one of the surest ways to get a place at a prestigious institute of higher learning. Thankfully, with online SAT and ACT prep websites these students can sit for mock tests and access many useful tips and tricks from experienced experts.

Sitting for these tests is by no means compulsory. Many colleges and universities do not require new applicants to submit their test results. However, all the most prestigious higher education institutions do require applicants to submit their results and those with very good scores stand a better chance during the selection process. Many students feel that good scores is an important step towards lifelong career success.

While excellent scores can certainly play an important role in getting a place at a good university, they are not the only factor that plays a role in the selection process. Universities want students that lead balanced lives. They therefore also take into account things like whether the applicant actively plays sport, is involved in community affairs, support cultural and social events and whether they consistently did well during their school years.

Sadly, many students give up their dreams of scoring well in the tests and being admitted to a good university because they believe that only super bright people get good scores. This is most definitely not the case. The tests are not designed to test general knowledge, intelligence or aptitude. They are designed to test the abilities of the student in those areas that are seen as critical for a successful college career. These areas are critical reading, writing and mathematics.

The two tests are actually in competition with each other. The SAT test, owned by the College Board, is the oldest and the ACT test, belonging to a non profit organization with the same name, was introduced in 1959 to compete with the test of the College Board. Many students sit for both tests and they are both well regarded by most top educational institutions.

Traditionally, students sit for the tests during their senior high school year. Many serious students opt to do this in their junior year, however. This is because there is no limit to the number of times one can undergo the tests. Student therefore view their junior year efforts as a test run, knowing that they can repeat the process the following year if the results are not satisfactory.

The seriousness with which these tests are viewed has prompted a rather large industry that produces tutorials, extra lessons, private tutoring and study aids. The internet boasts numerous sites that aim to help students obtain better scores. Many of these sites are free but experts warn that students and their parents should be careful of extravagant promises and should opt for those sites underwritten by recognized educational experts.

Students that want to study at one of the top universities take these tests very seriously. They know that a qualification from such an institution will stand them in good stead when they start applying for jobs. It is important to remember, however, that the test results is just one of the factors that are considered when allocating places.




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