College Prep

Research the standardized tests required for college
admissions

College entrance exams can be a real pain. Let’s face it. They don’t exactly test
your intelligence or your breadth of knowledge from high school. Rather, you
need to study specifically for the test to ensure you know the kind of information
that’s on it.

It may seem pointless, but standardized tests are the, well, standard of most
colleges regarding entrance exams.

This year, you should research the specific requirements of each of the schools
on your list. The tests you will most often run across include:

- PSAT/NMSQT
- SAT Reasoning Test
- ACT
- SAT Subject Test

What do you each of these tests require? What sorts of questions will you be
asked? Do your research on the specifics of these tests and pick up a handbook
with a few sample questions inside.

Even though standardized tests only really matter in terms of applying to college,
they matter big time in this one area. Do your best to prepare early for the exams
by knowing which ones you’ll need to take and what subjects you’ll need a
refresher course on before test day.