With many universities lifting their “test-optional” policies in upcoming admissions cycles, the looming pressure of getting a top-notch test score on the ACT or SAT is becoming more and more real for freshmen, sophomores and juniors.
It’s not uncommon for WJ students to invest in a professional tutor to help them study for standardized tests. Many hire someone before even taking one for the first time. While there’s nothing wrong with putting effort into the ACT or SAT outside of school, there’s something to be said for students who don’t have time or resources to prepare all alone.
Students are required to take English and math classes. It would be to everyone’s benefit to include units in these courses with content from standardized tests in order to prepare students for the inevitable ACT or SAT.
The ACT has English, math, and science sections, while the SAT only includes English and math. The style of questions on these tests is very different from that of tests given in course-specific classes as they don’t allow test takers to rely solely on outside knowledge to answer questions; rather, they are looking to see who has the strongest test-taking skills.
English teachers typically assign lengthy essays and analyze literature. While tasks like these are vital for students to master in high school, they don’t need to occupy an entire school year. Especially for sophomores and juniors, it would be worthwhile for English classes of all levels to include an ACT/SAT prep unit-a few weeks dedicated to providing opportunities for students to practice questions that could pop up on the reading or writing sections. Come the time that most students typically take the ACT or SAT, they all will have had at least some exposure to the specific style in which they way these questions are written.
Math courses of all levels are structured similarly.Teachers typically demonstrate material in front of the class, encouraging students to take notes and complete homework assignments to prepare for tests and quizzes. While this is a wonderful way for students in high school to prepare for college-level math, the ACT and SAT math sections don’t typically ask questions that can be solved with theorems and formulas taught at such a high level.
By taking time in math classes to remind students of the “basics” — material that they were likely taught in middle school — they’ll feel much more confident when they see questions on standardized tests that test algebra and geometry skills.
Ultimately, many students have the opportunity and drive to study for standardized tests outside of school. However, many either underestimate the specific skills they need to get a high score or don’t have the option of hiring someone for help. Adding ACT and SAT content to required English and math classes will allow all students to feel more prepared for test-taking, regardless of how much extra effort they choose to put in.
