The Foreign Service Journal, December 2021

96 DECEMBER 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT your college application—colleges love students who start things!) For both tests, practicing even 15-20 minutes a night will help.That’s enough time to do two-three ACT Science passages, two ACT Reading or English passages, or one third of aMath section. On the SAT, it’s the time you have for twoWriting and Language passages, 1+ Reading passage, a Math-with-calculator Grid-In section, or 8-10medium-difficultyMath questions. If you have time, stretch out the practice ses- sions as you get closer to the test. Practice is just that: test-taking practice. The only score that matters is the actual test score, not practice scores. Try differ- ent ways of taking each section to see what works best for you. About two weeks before the test, take another full-length practice test. Keep this one as close to actual conditions as you can.The last week should be reviewing math formulas and tables, figuring out how you will navigate each section, and getting plenty of sleep. Test Day Is Here Pack everything you need the day before. Bring extra pencils and batteries for your calculator, if needed. Bringmore food and water than you think you need. If pos- sible, don’t bring your phone. Leave for the test site earlier than you need to. Remind yourself of your hard work and howwell prepared you are. Answer every question—there’s no guessing pen- alty! Then stick to your plan for three hours and get your best score. While many top colleges have test optional or test blind admissions proce- dures, most students can help themselves by targeting a test and date, working a study plan and getting an ACT or SAT score that strengthens their application at their target schools. n Pack everything you need the day before. Leave for the test site earlier than you need to.