Homeschooling Techniques to Prepare for the ACT or SAT Exam

This topic is mainly addressed to homeschool students who are preparing for the American College Testing (ACT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). As a parent, it is best to discuss this with your kids to make them aware of what they can expect during the exam and to figure out a schedule and a study plan.

Source: flickr.com

Equip Yourself With The Basics

 

Homeschoolers, like regular students, possess different strengths and behaviors that are keys to helping them do well in their tests. What are some of the many personal and mental characteristics that homeschooling students must have to pass their important tests?

 

  • Creative and logical thinking
  • Adept at identifying certain mistakes and efficient in correcting them
  • A good grasp of the concept
  • Knowledgeable in plugging in the test numbers
  • Have the skill in estimating from the provided picture
  • Insightful with regards to using the process of elimination
  • Efficient analysis of missed questions to identify weakness

 

Replicate The Exams

 

To have the genuine feel of your upcoming SAT or ACT, you must first know how it would be. How does one replicate their examination circumstance or do a mock exam? Christopher Taylor, PhD suggests that, “You can prepare your homeschool student for the SAT and ACT by gearing their lessons to the exams and encouraging extracurricular study.”

 

  • Pretend that the next day will be the big day.
  • Wake up early and do your necessary morning routines then drive to some quiet public area like a library before exam time, usually around 8 am.
  • Answer mock exam questions and be mindful of your time. Avoid using your phone for timing yourself because it can distract you from answering. Track time using your watch or the library’s clock. Psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, Kendra Cherry said, “The amount of time you need may vary, but you should set aside time each week for reviewing study materials.”

 

Source: flickr.com

 

By doing this regularly a month before the big day, you are conditioning yourself and most especially your senses from all kinds of predicaments and potential distractions that might occur before and during the exam.

 

Finishing Early But Not Wasting Time

 

One of the main challenges that homeschoolers usually face when taking their tests is that they always lack time to finish the entire exam. Therefore, one of the most significant preparations that homeschoolers must undertake is to manage your time and practice the appropriate approach to every subject or area of concern. How can you do this?

 

  1. Be wary of the time to know how fast or slow you can go to finish specific questions.
  2. Practice timing for every section. Usually, homeschoolers encounter a difficult question, and because they are adamant about leaving that question unanswered, they become attached and waste time on that number.
  3. Once the mock examination is over, evaluate your mistakes and find ways on how to solve those complex equations in the most convenient means possible. Remember that when you’re doing practice tests, you’re not just concerned about finishing it as hastily as possible but also understanding what you did wrong in the process.
  4. Condition your mind by browsing through all the questions in all the pages so you can figure out how long it will take for you to finish the exams.
  5. Do your research. There are tons of videos online that can effectively give you a rundown on how it’s going to be during the exams. You will also be provided with efficient learning tools and concepts that you can use to succeed in your tests.
  6. You can find more helpful tips in a Baby Doll article from Family Hype

 

When The Day Is Done

Source: pixabay.com

 

At the end of every review day, make sure to note down your progress. By being aware of how far you’ve gone, you are becoming more mindful of what helps with your study method and the areas that still need improvement. According to Dana S. Dunn, Ph.D., professor of Psychology, “You can’t change anything once you finish the test. Focus on preparing for your next exam.” Through it all, never hesitate to ask for help from people who are insightful on specific topics like other homeschool kids and tutors, friends, and parents.