I can't get better in standardized testingAnswered
Hey, I'm really good at everything in my college application but my standardized tests: SAT/ACT and I'm becoming really unmotivated.
I'm a junior with a GPA of 4.0, which I'm going to lose after this semester due to AP Chemistry (R.I.P.), but I know it won't hurt my chances much because of how hard it is as a class. I have leader/officer ownership in clubs and I am a member of national honor societies. However, no matter how much I try, my scores on SAT/ACT are not improving. I've been stuck at 1240 and I've taken multiple tests, and practice quizzes, looked at them and my wrong answers, and practiced hard. I can't get a tutor because my family is low financially. I'm stuck at 1240 SAT or 25's on the ACT, which I know will hurt my application, and it's making me unmotivated. I'm very tired of trying to no avail.
I'm upset that a test (....one test) is really impacting me and my chances at selective schools and schools in general. I'm also really scared that colleges will see me as having "easy classes" because of my test scores which is untrue( I've gotten a 5 and 4 on two APs in the past and I'm usually good at tests). I know test-optional is a thing but some schools won't do that. Do you have any advice or do you have tips? What do I do?
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1 answer
If you can get a fee waiver based on your financial situation and if you're planning to apply to a school that is not test-optional, it's worth at least another try. This time, go with the test (SAT/ACT) that you feel more comfortable with. Trying to prepare for both is just time-consuming and reduces your efficiency.
Is there a particular section on the tests that you're not doing well or is it the entire test?
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If you're looking at the SAT, consider using Khan Academy (which is free) to practice. Look at the questions you are getting wrong and figure out if it's because you don't have enough time, you don't understand the subject matter, or you're making "dumb" mistakes. Try finding if there's a pattern to the "dumb" mistakes first and, having identified that, develop a strategy so that when you're taking practice sections/tests, you can at least improve on those. Good luck!